19aNow 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.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to athe Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And athe hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and bturned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out aBarnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and aencouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
a great number believed—Thus the accession of Cornelius and his party was not the first admission of uncircumcised Gentiles into the Church. (See on Acts 10:1.) Nay, we read of no influence which the accession of Cornelius and his house had on the further progress of the Gospel among the Gentiles; whereas there here open upon us operations upon the Gentiles from quite a different quarter, and attended with ever growing success. The only great object served by the case of Cornelius was the formal recognition of the principles which that case afterwards secured. (See on Acts 15:19-29.)
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Acts 11:21:
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