Antioch (Acts 11:19-30)

2022-05-21

After a great persecution in Jerusalem, the church there was scattered. Also, after Gentiles were saved in Caesarea, a significant church developed in the city of Antioch. There are two Antiochs in the Bible; this Antioch was considered Syrian Antioch.

Preaching to Gentiles took off here. Many people believed. As this church became renowned for its faith, the remaining church in Jerusalem sent to them Barnabas, the “son of consolation,” where he instructed them “that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23). Even more were added to the Lord with his work there.

After some time there, Barnabas brought Saul from Tarsus. The two men taught in Antioch for a year. Other prophets such as Agabus came to Antioch as well.

Here are some characteristics of the church in Antioch. First, they were a giving church. When the prophet Agabus brought tidings of a worldwide famine, Antioch sent financial support to the church in Jerusalem, a poor church (Romans 15:26). “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea” (Acts 11:29)

The church was also a persecuted church. “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). “Christian” was not a complimentary title in those days. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16). It was a derogatory name; the name of Christ was a stigma they embraced.

The church was a diverse church. Teachers included the Jewish men, Barnabas and Saul, but also “Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch” (Acts 13:1). We see Niger (if it correlates with the nation of today, West Africa), Cyrene (North Africa), and Manaen, which, if he were brought up with Herod, would likely have been a Gentile and possibly Idumean (Edomite). These men would have had different first languages and cultural backgrounds. However, we see them praying and teaching together.

The church was a sending church. Paul and Barnabas were sent from Antioch to do pioneer mission work. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:2-3).