Question 1

What does Acts 11:22 mean?

Accepted Answer

Acts 11:22 describes how news about new believers in Antioch reached the church leaders in Jerusalem, who then decided to send Barnabas to Antioch to see what was happening. This shows the early church’s concern for new Christian communities and their desire to support and guide them. The verse is set in the early days of the Christian movement, after some believers had begun spreading the message about Jesus beyond Jewish communities. The “church which was in Jerusalem” refers to the main group of Jesus’ followers at that time, who acted as leaders for other believers. Barnabas, a respected and encouraging figure, was sent as their representative to Antioch, a major city where many non-Jews were coming to faith.

Question 2

The Greek behind Acts 11:22

Accepted Answer

The word for “tidings” is λόγος (logos), which often means “message” or “report.” Here, it highlights that a significant report about events in Antioch reached Jerusalem, not just a rumor. The word for “church” is ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia), meaning an assembly or gathering, which in this context refers to the community of believers in Jerusalem. The verb ἐξαποστέλλω (exapostellō), translated “sent forth,” carries the sense of sending someone out with a purpose or mission, showing that Barnabas was officially commissioned by the Jerusalem church.

Question 3

Why Acts 11:22 matters

Accepted Answer

Acts 11:22 shows the connection and communication between different groups of early Christians, emphasizing unity and oversight within the growing movement. The decision to send Barnabas reveals the Jerusalem church’s role in guiding and supporting new believers, especially as the message of Jesus spread to new regions and cultures. This verse sets the stage for Barnabas’s important role in encouraging and teaching the new church in Antioch, which would later become a major center for early Christianity.

Acts 11:22 (KJV)