But Barnabas brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord while on his journey and how the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas also explained that in Damascus Saul had preached without fear in Jesus’ name.
But just now Timothy has come to us from you, and he has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have happy memories of us and that you long to see us just as we long to see you.
Then the apostles, elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, who were leaders among the believers.
Paul and Barnabas didn’t agree with this and they argued sharply with them. So the group sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem with some other believers to ask the apostles and elders about this question.
This plan pleased everyone. They chose Stephen, a man who was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. They also chose Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, who was a convert to the Jewish faith.
Some of the believers who’d been scattered by the attacks that started after Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, spreading the word among Jews.
When he found him, he brought him back with him to Antioch. For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught large numbers of people. It was there at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.