The Antioch Church (Acts 11:19-30)

The believers spread the Gospel after the persecution in Jerusalem.  Mostly, the converted fellow Jews.  In Antioch, Greeks were converted.  The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas there, probably to supervise it.

Here, we see Barnabas becoming a stand out leader.  Previously, John and Peter went on these supervision trips.  Here, they are sending Barnabas.  Perhaps they were impressed by Barnabas' faith in being the first in Jerusalem to meet with Saul after his conversion.

Speaking of Saul, Barnabas finds Saul in Tarsus and together, they spent a year in Antioch.

Meanwhile, one of the believers predicts a major famine.  This prompts the church to support the churches in Judea.  They send Barnabas and Paul to Jerusalem with the food.

The text states that this occurred in the reign of Claudius.  Claudius reigned as Roman Emperor from 41-54 AD.  Claudius is generally considered a better Emperor, certainly better than a few other contemporary Emperors, such as Caligula and Nero.  Still though, Claudius was assassinated, perhaps by his wife.  He was succeeded by his adoptive son, Nero.

Finally, the text in Acts also states that the disciples in Antioch were the first to be called "Christian".