Lesson 460: Acts 11:26
The Blueprint — The Verse
and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
After persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem, the gospel spread beyond Judea. Antioch in Syria became a major center where Jewish and Gentile believers mingled in a diverse Roman city.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch after believers first preached to GreeksThe people of ancient Greece, known for their influential civilization, philosophy, literature, and city‑states such as Athens and Sparta. In Scripture’s cosmic‑geography worldview, the Greeks represent one of the 70 nations scattered from Babel and placed under the authority of a territorial elohim (a “Son of God”) rather than under YHVH’s direct rule. Their pantheon—Zeus, Apollo, Athena, and others—reflects the... More there. For a whole year they met with the church and taught great numbers, and disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
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Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
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Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
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What does the name 'Christian' imply about public identity?
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How did persecution unexpectedly spread the gospel?
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What would it mean for your community to recognize you as Christ's follower?
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