Persecuted and scattered Christians travel as far as Antioch in Syria.

Acts 11:19-21

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“Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:19-21

This is some background of when Barnabas and Saul/Paul met.

The persecution that arose over Stephen is described in Acts 7:54-60 and happened in Jerusalem. The persecution of the way of Christ was led by Saul, who later met Jesus Christ, was born-again, and became known as Paul. Paul wrote many of the books of the New Testament. The persecuted Christians traveled from Jerusalem to Phoenicia, the island of Cyprus, Cyrene, and Antioch at Syria. Cyrene [Cyrenaica] is located to the far west of the map below towards the bottom [circled in green]. Cyprus is the island northwest of Jerusalem [circled in green]. Phoenicia is north of Jerusalem [circled in green]. Antioch in Syria is north of Phoenicia [also circled in green].

Although the followers of Jesus Christ were being persecuted in Jerusalem, they continued to spread His Gospel to the places they fled to. Our Lord Jesus teaches us to flee persecution and to share His testimony to receptive hearts, those whose soul is good soil for planting the Gospel seed. “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” Matthew 10:14-15 Jesus also teaches us that the night comes when no one will be able to work to spread His Gospel, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5

In today’s culture, which is global, there is no place to run to escape persecution. The beast that has power over physiology is global and gives people what to speak, do, think, and feel. The beast unites the global culture through unbelief in God, the rejection of Jesus Christ, opposition to the presence of the Holy Spirit, and opposition to Christians and Christianity in the entirety.

In the United States, the churches have abandoned the Gospel of Christ, government lawmakers no longer integrate the values of the Bible in laws, policies, and executive orders, the educational system bans the teaching of the Bible in the classrooms, and Christianity is not welcomed in any sector of society. In other countries, such as places in Africa, China, Russia, North Korea, etc., Christians are literally being imprisoned and killed. The majority of the nations of the United Nations are atheists and oppose the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When the United Nations become the undisputed one world government, the persecution of the way of Christ [in various forms] will become the norm in every city around the world.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:3-12 are excellent words Jesus speaks to us.

Antioch at Syria was somewhat of a gathering place for those fleeing the persecution that arose in Jerusalem. People from Cyrene and Cyprus went to Antioch at Syria. When they had come, they spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Hellenists basically included Jewish people who adopted the Greek culture and language [let it be known that the New Testament was written in Greek]. Some Christians can do what other Christians cannot when it comes to reaching certain people or groups of people in the name of Jesus Christ. As followers of Jesus Christ, never try to imitate what other people do, but always follow the presence of the Holy Spirit who lives within you. Our born-again experience is unique to each individual, and at the same time it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ written on the heart.

As we read in coming verses, Barnabas and Saul also came to Antioch in Syria.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11