Lives of Scripture
Antioch
Also called: Antioch of Syria
Modern location: Antakya, Turkey
First named: Acts 11:19
A major Syrian city where believers scattered by persecution first preached the gospel to Gentiles in large numbers, and where the disciples were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:19-26). Barnabas brought Saul there to help teach the growing church, and it was from Antioch that the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul for the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3) — making the city the base of operations for the gospel's spread into the Gentile world. Peter's hypocrisy over eating with Gentiles was also confronted by Paul there (Galatians 2:11-14).
References: Acts 11:19; Acts 11:19-26; Acts 13:1-3; Galatians 2:11-14
People connected to Antioch
- Agabus (M) — prophesied here of a famine, prompting the church to send relief to Judea
Acts 11:27-30
- Barnabas (M) — sent to this church, where he fetched Saul and disciples were first called Christians
Acts 11:22-26
- Judas (M) — carried the Jerusalem council's letter to this church and encouraged it
Acts 15:22; Acts 15:32
- Manaen (M) — one of the prophets and teachers of this church
Acts 13:1
- Nicolas (M) — a convert of this city, chosen among the seven at Jerusalem
Acts 6:5
- Peter (M) — ate with Gentiles here until he drew back, and Paul opposed him to his face
Galatians 2:11-14
- Silas (M) — carried the Jerusalem council's letter to this church with Judas
Acts 15:22