Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Acts 11:21
Verse 21 celebrates a significant spiritual outcome: “the hand of the Lord was with them” and many believed and turned to the Lord. This follows the Antioch Gentile outreach by Cyprians and Cyrenians. The phrase signals divine favor and empowerment as the church engages in mission among Gentiles. The growing number of believers indicates not merely conversions but genuine discipleship forming under the Spirit’s influence. In Antioch, a new mode of church life emerges—one marked by grace and mission rather than ethnically defined boundaries. The verse also mirrors other markers of revival in Acts, where the Spirit’s presence accompanies preaching, resulting in conversions and communal faith.
Theological themes include the sovereignty of God in salvation and the Spirit’s enabling presence in mission. The turning of many to the Lord demonstrates God’s gracious response to evangelistic faith and acts as a tangible sign of the gospel’s credibility in a Gentile context. It reinforces the unity of believers in Christ beyond cultural divisions.
For modern readers, this verse calls for faith-filled ministry that relies on God’s enabling power. It encourages churches to cultivate Spirit-led evangelism, train believers in sharing their faith, and measure fruit not by numbers alone but by genuine discipleship. Practical steps: prayerful reliance on the Spirit, small-group follow-up for new converts, mentorship, and integration of new believers into church life so they grow into mature followers of Jesus.
Cross-References: Acts 4:31; Acts 8:14-17; Romans 10:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5