17Since then, God had given them the very same gift as he gave us when we became believers in Jesus Christ the Master — who was I that I could thwart God?”
18On hearing this statement, they said no more, but broke out into praise of God. “So even to the Gentiles,” they exclaimed, “God has granted the repentance which leads to life!”
19Now those who had been scattered in different directions, in consequence of the persecution that followed the death of Stephen, went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the message — but only to Jews.
20Some of them, however, who were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, on coming to Antioch, addressed themselves also to the Jews of foreign birth, telling them the good news about that Lord Jesus.
21The power of the Lord was with them, so that a great number who had learnt to believe came over to the Lord's side.
22The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23On coming there he saw to his great joy these tokens of the loving kindness of God, and encouraged them all to make up their minds to be faithful to the Lord —
24For Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith — and a large number of people took their stand on the Lord's side.
Acts 11
Acts 11:17-24