Antioch (Syria)

NT Syria

The first church with a large Gentile membership, and the place believers were first called "Christians." It commissioned Paul and Barnabas for what became the first missionary journey, and was later the flashpoint for the debate over circumcising Gentile converts that the Jerusalem council settled -- including a sharp public rebuke Paul gave Peter here over table fellowship with Gentiles.

References: Acts 11:19-30; Acts 13:1-3; Acts 15:1-2; Acts 15:30-35

Named in Scripture at Antioch (Syria)

Barnabas (M) — sent by the Jerusalem church to strengthen new believers; brought Paul from Tarsus to teach here
Acts 11:22-26
Paul (M) — taught here for a year before being sent out with Barnabas on the first missionary journey
Acts 11:25-26; Acts 13:1-3
Manaen (M) — prophet / teacher
Acts 13:1
Simeon (M) — prophet / teacher, called Niger
Acts 13:1
Lucius of Cyrene (M) — prophet / teacher
Acts 13:1
Judas (M) — sent from Jerusalem with the council's letter, stayed to encourage the church
Acts 15:30-35
Silas (M) — sent from Jerusalem with the council's letter, stayed to encourage the church
Acts 15:30-35
Peter (M) — publicly rebuked by Paul here for withdrawing from eating with Gentile believers out of fear of the circumcision party
Galatians 2:11-14