1.  From the multitude of believers at Antioch.  For, 1.  After the dispersion upon Saul’s persecution, the Lord Jesus was preached at Antioch, and a great number believed, &c., Acts xi. 21. 2.  Upon Barnabas’s preaching there, much people was added to the Lord, Acts xi. 24. 3. Barnabas and Saul for a year together taught much people there, and disciples there so mightily multiplied, that there Christ’s disciples first received the eminent and famous denomination of CHRISTIANS, and so were and still are called throughout the whole world, Acts xi. 25, 26.

2.  From the multitudes of prophets and preachers that ministered at Antioch.  For, 1.  Upon the dispersion of the Jews at Jerusalem, divers of them (being men of Cyprus and Cyrene) preached the Lord Jesus at Antioch, Acts xi. 20; here must be three or four preachers at least, otherwise they would not be men of Cyprus and Cyrene. 2.  After this Barnabas was sent to preach at Antioch; there is a fifth, Acts xi. 22-24. 3. Barnabas finds so much work at Antioch, that he goes to Tarsus to bring Saul thither to help him; there is a sixth, ver. 25, 26. 4.  Besides these, there came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch in those days; there are at least two more, viz. eight in all, Acts xi. 27, 28. 4.  Further, besides Barnabas and Saul, three more teachers are named, viz. Simon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, Acts xii. 1-3. 6.  Yea, “Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also,” Acts xv. 35.  Now sum up all, what a multitude of believers, and what a college of preachers were here at Antioch!  How is it possible that all these preachers should bustle themselves about one congregation (and doubtless they abhorred idleness) in dispensing the ordinances of Christ to them only? or how could so many members meet in one single congregation at once, ordinarily to partake of all ordinances?

III.  The church of Ephesus (in Asia Minor, Acts xix. 22) had in it more congregations than one:  For,

1.  The number of prophets and preachers at Ephesus were many. Paul continued there two years and three months, Acts xix. 8, 10; and Paul settled there about twelve disciples who prophesied, Acts xix. 1, 6, 7.  And how should these thirteen ministers be employed, if there were not many congregations?  Compare also Acts xx. 17, 28, 36, 37, where it is said of the bishops of Ephesus, that “Paul kneeled down and prayed with them all, and they all wept sore.”  Here is a good number implied.

2.  The gift of tongues also was given unto all these twelve prophets, Acts xix. 6, 7.  To what end, if they had not several congregations of several languages, to speak in these several tongues unto them?