Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to the Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. They power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.
When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they send Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and encourage believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, foul of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. (vv. 19-24, NLT)