THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH First Called “Christians”

THE CITY One of 17 cities in ancient world named “Antioch” One of 17 cities in ancient world named “Antioch” Founded about 300 B.C., named for Antiochus I Founded about 300 B.C., named for Antiochus I Also called “Syrian Antioch” to distinguish it from “Pisidian Antioch” Also called “Syrian Antioch” to distinguish it from “Pisidian Antioch” Also known as “Antioch on the Orontes” b/c of the river nearby Also known as “Antioch on the Orontes” b/c of the river nearby A wealthy city, expanded by Herod the Great, who built a 2-mi. road paved with white marble & bordered by 3200 columns & porticoes A wealthy city, expanded by Herod the Great, who built a 2-mi. road paved with white marble & bordered by 3200 columns & porticoes Mixed population of Syrians, Greeks, Jews, Macedonians, & Romans Mixed population of Syrians, Greeks, Jews, Macedonians, & Romans One of the major cities of the Empire, pop. 25,000-65,000 One of the major cities of the Empire, pop. 25,000-65,000

BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH Due to persecution after Stephen’s death, Jewish Christians went to Antioch & preached only to Jews (Acts 11:19) Due to persecution after Stephen’s death, Jewish Christians went to Antioch & preached only to Jews (Acts 11:19) Some from Cyprus & Cyrene began to preach to Gentiles; large number converted; Nicolaus may also have had part in its beginning Some from Cyprus & Cyrene began to preach to Gentiles; large number converted; Nicolaus may also have had part in its beginning Church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to investigate & he “saw the grace of God” Church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to investigate & he “saw the grace of God”

BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH (2) Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul, brought him to Antioch Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul, brought him to Antioch Together they met with the church “for a whole year” & “taught a great many people” Together they met with the church “for a whole year” & “taught a great many people” “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26) “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26) When famine arose in Jerusalem, Antioch church “sent relief to the brothers living in Judea... Sending it by the hand of Barnabas & Saul” (11:29-30). When famine arose in Jerusalem, Antioch church “sent relief to the brothers living in Judea... Sending it by the hand of Barnabas & Saul” (11:29-30).

LATER DEVELOPMENTS Apparently the 1 st predominantly Gentile congregation Apparently the 1 st predominantly Gentile congregation Acts 13:1-3. Church in Antioch became the “sending church” for Barnabas & Saul due to revelation from the Holy Spirit Acts 13:1-3. Church in Antioch became the “sending church” for Barnabas & Saul due to revelation from the Holy Spirit Antioch became the “home church” for the Mission to the Gentiles Antioch became the “home church” for the Mission to the Gentiles All 3 of Paul’s Missionary Journeys began there, & 1 st two ended there All 3 of Paul’s Missionary Journeys began there, & 1 st two ended there

LATER DEVELOPMENTS (2) Acts 15:1 – “Some men from Judea” came to Antioch & insisted Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved Acts 15:1 – “Some men from Judea” came to Antioch & insisted Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved Resulted in the “Jerusalem Conference” Resulted in the “Jerusalem Conference” Antioch (& others) informed by letter that circumcision was NOT necessary Antioch (& others) informed by letter that circumcision was NOT necessary Galatians 2: Paul’s run-in with Peter occurred at Antioch b/c Peter “acted insincerely” by not eating with Gentile Christians for fear of offending Jewish Christians who came “from James” (Jerusalem) Galatians 2: Paul’s run-in with Peter occurred at Antioch b/c Peter “acted insincerely” by not eating with Gentile Christians for fear of offending Jewish Christians who came “from James” (Jerusalem)

POST-NEW TESTAMENT DEVELOPMENTS Ignatius became “bishop of Antioch” in late 1 st /early 2 nd Cent. Promoted “single-bishop rule” Ignatius became “bishop of Antioch” in late 1 st /early 2 nd Cent. Promoted “single-bishop rule” Antioch became one of the 4 “great centers of Christianity,” along with Jerusalem, Rome, & Alexandria by the 4 th Cent. A.D. Antioch became one of the 4 “great centers of Christianity,” along with Jerusalem, Rome, & Alexandria by the 4 th Cent. A.D. Numerous early Christian theologians came from Antioch Numerous early Christian theologians came from Antioch Population declined to by late 4 th Century Population declined to by late 4 th Century By A.D. 390 Antioch was almost completely Christian, with only a few pagans & a large number of Jews By A.D. 390 Antioch was almost completely Christian, with only a few pagans & a large number of Jews City declined due to earthquakes & conquests City declined due to earthquakes & conquests City of Antakya, Turkey (pop. 80,000) now occupies the site City of Antakya, Turkey (pop. 80,000) now occupies the site

“ST. PETER’S CAVE CHURCH” (5 TH CENTURY)

LESSONS FROM ANTIOCH 1.The power of the gospel to transcend ethnic & religious boundaries. 2.The ability of Christians of diverse backgrounds to remain united, as long as they (we) stay focused on the gospel. 3.Churches are strengthened when they (we): A.Are active in helping others in need B.Are active in spreading the gospel to people of other nations