Acts 11:19

Baoule (NYANMIƐN NDƐ'N 1998)

Kɛ be kunnin Etiɛni'n, be nga be kleli be yalɛ i wie'n sin'n, be sanndi ɔli lele Fenisi, nin Sipri, nin Antiɔs, be kan-man Nyanmiɛn ndɛ kle-man sran fi san Zuif'm be ngunmin cɛ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse talks about how the early Christians who were scattered because of Stephen's persecution traveled to different places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They only preached to other Jews at first.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your friends moved away from your neighborhood because something bad happened. Then they went to new cities but still only played with kids who were just like them. That's what some early Christians did when they left their homes and found new places, but they only told the good news about Jesus to other Jewish people at first.

Historical Background

The book of Acts was written by Luke around 60-80 AD. It describes how Christianity spread from Jerusalem throughout the Roman Empire. This passage details an early expansion phase where persecuted Christians spread out and preached mainly within their own community, the Jews.

Living It Out Today

Today, when we encounter challenges or persecution in our faith journey, this verse reminds us that sometimes, our initial response might be to seek comfort and safety among those who are familiar to us. However, as time passes, we can grow to share our beliefs more widely with others outside of our immediate circles.

Topics

• Persecution
• Evangelism
• Community
• Faith Expansion
• Jewish Christianity
• Missionary Work

Related Verses

• Acts 8:4
• Acts 26:10
• Deuteronomy 30:4
• Isaiah 66:19
• Matthew 28:19

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did they only preach to Jews at first?

They were initially preaching within their own cultural and religious community, which made it easier for them to connect with others who had similar backgrounds and beliefs.

How does this verse relate to the Great Commission?

While they started by only reaching out to Jews, this verse marks an early step towards fulfilling the Great Commission of spreading Christianity throughout all nations.

What was the persecution about Stephen?

Stephen was a deacon in the early church who was stoned to death for his testimony (Acts 7), leading to a wider persecution against believers.

Why is Antioch significant in this context?

Antioch became an important center of Christianity as it marked one of the first places where Gentiles were accepted into the church, expanding beyond just Jewish converts.