Two Cities Named Antioch In The Bible
In the New Testament, there were two cities named Antioch, one in
Syria and the other in Pisidia.
Acts 15:23
They wrote this letter by them:
The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria,
and Cilicia:
Greetings.
Acts 13:14
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in
Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and
sat down.
Antioch Of Syria
Antioch of Syria was also known as Antioch on the Orontes River.
Founded by Seleucus I Nicator in 300 BC, it became one of the
greatest and most important Greek cities of the Hellenistic period.
This city was the capital of the Seleucid Empire. It later became a
regional capital to both the Roman and Byzantine Empire.
Being on the coastline, it was a busy seaport with lots of
trades and transactions taking place daily. Multitudes of people
from various cultures, languages and religions, including those with
high intellectual and political status, transited and transacted regularly there.
During the New Testament times, Antioch of Syria was the
third-largest city in the Roman Empire. The largest city was Rome in
Italy, and the second largest city was Alexandria in Egypt.
Today, Antioch of Syria was in Antakya, Turkey. Situated on the
Orontes River, it is about 20 miles inland from the Mediterranean
Sea, and approximately 300 miles north of Jerusalem.
In the New Testament, Antioch of Syria played a very important
and significant role in the early stages of the spread of
Christianity.
There were many Jews living in this city. They were known
as Diaspora Jews, being exiled during the captivity, but never returned
back to Israel after that. They had made a choice to remain living
outside Israel. But they continued in their Jewish faith,
traditions and cultures.
In the free city of Antioch in Syria, these Jews, while enjoying
the full rights of citizenship, were able to conduct trade and
commerce, doing business without much hindrances and restrictions.
Acts 6:1-7
Seven Chosen to Serve
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by
the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the
daily distribution.
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said,
“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve
tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of
good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom
we may appoint over this business;
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the
ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose
Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip,
Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they
laid hands on them.
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples
multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests
were obedient to the faith.
Through some of these Diaspora Jews living in Antioch of Syria,
many Gentiles were drawn first to Judaism, and eventually to
Christianity. One of the Gentile proselytes was Nicolas. He was
initially converted to the Jewish faith, and later to Christianity.
He went to Jerusalem, and was among the seven Greek-speaking or
Hellenistic leaders chosen to serve as deacons in Jerusalem.
Acts 11:19
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
Now those who were scattered after the persecution
that arose over Stephen traveled as far as
Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word
to no one but the Jews only.
But after the stoning and death of Stephen, severe persecutions
broke out against the believers of Christ in Jerusalem. That drove
some Jewish believers to flee as far as Antioch in Syria.
Acts 11:22-26
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in
Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as
Antioch.
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and
encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue
with the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And
a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.
So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the
church and taught a great many people. And the disciples
were first called Christians in Antioch.
Many Gentiles in Antioch became believers of the gospel of
Christ. When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they
sent Barnabas to Antioch to help the new converts. When Barnabas
arrived and saw the wonderful things God was doing, he was filled
with excitement and joy, and encouraged the believers to stay close
to the Lord, whatever the cost. Barnabas was a kind-hearted man,
full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. As a result, large
numbers of people were added to the church in Antioch of Syria.
Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Paul. When he found
him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there for a
full year teaching many new converts. It was there at Antioch in
Syria that
the believers were first called Christians.
Acts 11:27-30
Relief to Judea
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to
Antioch.
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and
showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great
famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the
days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to
send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of
Barnabas and Saul.
During this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to
Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up in one of the meetings
to prophesy as prompted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon all the
world. This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius. So, the
believers decided to send relief to the Christians in Judea, each
giving as much as he could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to
Barnabas and Paul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.
Acts 12:25-13:3
Barnabas and Saul Appointed
12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had
fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose
surname was Mark.
Paul and
Barnabas Are Sent to the Gentiles
13:1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were
certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was
called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with
Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit
said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to
which I have called them.”
13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them,
they sent them away.
Antioch in Syria then became the launching pad of missionaries
for doing missions work in foreign lands. Barnabas and Paul visited
Jerusalem. As soon as they had finished their business there, they
returned to Antioch, taking John Mark with them. At Antioch, there
were prophets and teachers in the church. One day as these men were
fasting and worshiping the Lord, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate
Barnabas and Paul for a special job I have for them.” So after more
fasting and prayers, the men laid their hands on them, and sent them
forth to begin their first missionary journey to the Gentiles.
Acts 14:24-28
24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to
Pamphylia.
25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to
Attalia.
26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they
had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had
completed.
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together,
they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had
opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
When Paul and Barnabas had completed their first missionary journey
into Asia Minor preaching the Good News to the Gentiles, they
returned to Antioch in Syria. There in the church, they assembled
the Christians, and reported to them what the Lord had done in
opening up the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Antioch Of Pisidia
Antioch in Pisidia was a city in the Turkish Lakes Region. It was on
the border of Pisidia and Phrygia, and at the crossroads of the
Mediterranean, Aegean and Central Anatolian regions.
Today, this city is approximately 1 km northeast of Yalvaç, the
modern town of Isparta Province. It is a city on a hill with its
highest point of 1236 m in the north.
According to some traditions, the history of this city dated back
to the 3rd century BC, and was founded by the Seleucid Dynasty, one
of the Hellenistic kingdoms. During the time of the Roman Empire, Augustus made
it to become a Roman colony, and populated the city with thousands of
his veterans and their families.
Acts 13:14-15
14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch
in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the
Sabbath day and sat down.
15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of
the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have
any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
During their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas came to
Antioch in Pisidia. Paul was invited by the Jewish leaders to preach
in their synagogue. The two missionaries were initially greeted with
great enthusiasm by the people there.
Acts 13:42-51
Blessing and Conflict at Antioch
42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles
begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and
devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them,
persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together
to hear the word of God.
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled
with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the
things spoken by Paul.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that
the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject
it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we
turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified
the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal
life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the
region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women
and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul
and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them,
and came to Iconium.
As the people were going out of the synagogue that day, they asked Paul to
return and speak to them again the next week. And many Jews and
godly Gentiles who worshiped at the synagogue followed Paul and
Barnabas down the street as the two men urged them to continue in
the grace of God. The following week almost the entire city turned
out to hear Paul and Barnabas preach the Word of God.
But when the Jewish leaders saw the crowds, they were jealous,
and cursed and argued against whatever Paul said.
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was
necessary that this Good News from God should be given first to you
Jews. But since you have rejected it and shown yourselves unworthy
of eternal life—well, we will offer it to Gentiles. For this is as
the Lord commanded when He said, ‘I have made you a light to the
Gentiles, to lead them from the farthest corners of the earth to My
salvation.’”
When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and rejoiced in
Paul’s message; and as many as desired to have eternal life,
believed. So, God’s message spread throughout that region.
Then the Jewish leaders stirred up both the godly women and the
leaders of the city and incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas, and
expelled them out of town. But Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust of
their feet against the city, and went on to the city of Iconium.
Mark 6:11
And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you
depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony
against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more
tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for
that city!”
These Jews from Antioch of Pisidia, burning with jealousy and
unbelief, continued to follow Paul and Barnabas to Lystra, stirring
up more trouble for them.
Acts 14:19-23
Stoning, Escape to Derbe
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having
persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of
the city, supposing him to be dead.
20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and
went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to
Derbe.
Strengthening the Converts
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and
made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and
Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many
tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed
with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had
believed.
Some Jews arrived from Antioch of Pisidia and Iconium and turned
the crowds into a murderous mob. They stoned Paul and dragged him
out of the city, almost to the verge of death. But as the believers
stood around him, he got up and went back into the city!
The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. After preaching the
Good News there and making many disciples, they returned again to
Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, where they helped the believers to grow
in love for God and each other. They encouraged them to continue in
the faith in spite of all the persecutions, reminding them that they
must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations. Paul
and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church and prayed for
them with fasting, turning them over to the care of the Lord in whom
they trusted.
2 Timothy 3:10-11
The Man of God and the Word of God
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life,
purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at
Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I
endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Paul in his final days shared with Timothy the troubles and
tribulations that he had endured while in Antioch of Pisidia. But
the Lord delivered him out of all of them.
Two cities having the same name, one with a good testimony and
one with a bad testimony. One is on a lower ground, the other is a
city upon a hill. One sharing the gospel and preaching the Good
News, the other is hindering the spread of the gospel.
One is where the believers are called Christians, the other is where
believers are stoned and mocked. One is where unbelievers become
believers in the Christian faith, whereas the other is where
believers in the Christian faith become unbelievers.
Standing still in time, about 700 km apart, which city will
shine for Jesus? And which city will not?
As believers in Christ, will our faith continue to grow stronger
in time, sharing His gospel and salvation to the people around us?
Or will our faith become dimmer as we begin to mock our beliefs and
hinder others from believing in Christ?
Which Antioch are we?
Source:
https://www.gotquestions.org/Antioch-in-the-Bible.html
Written on 15 June 2023