Author: Ron Graham

Two Antiochs

Supplementary notes

Here are some supplementary notes about the two Antiochs, one in Syria and the other in Pisidia, both mentioned in the book of Acts.

1 Antioch in Syria

The first Antioch mentioned in the book of Acts is the large city in Syria (Acts 11:19-30), pointed to on the map by the “finger” of Cyprus.

Syrian Antioch was the world's third greatest city, bettered only by Rome and Alexandria.

Antioch stood 25km up river from its seaport Selucia, where the Crontes River entered the Great Sea.

Infamous for immorality in the form of lustful sports and pleasures.

A center for the worship of Daphne, a godess whose priestesses were prostitutes.

When persecution in Jerusalem gave impetus to evangelism, some of the scattered Christians reached Antioch (Acts 11:19).

A strong church of Christ was established there, and this is where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:19,26).

From Antioch, a great new missionary effort reached out to the Gentile world (Acts 11:19-21, Acts 13:1-4, Acts 14:24-28).

Paul spent a lot of time in Antioch prior to his 1st missionary journey (Acts 11:25-26, Acts 15:35).

Several other church leaders also spent time there (Acts 11:27, Acts 13:1).

Antioch was the center of a controversy involving Gentile Christians and Jewish law (Acts 11:19-22, Acts 15:22-35, Galatians 2:11-21).

From Antioch, relief was sent to famine-hit brethren in Judea (Acts 11:27-30).

2 Antioch in Pisidia

The second Antioch is around the corner so to speak, passing northeast through Cilicia and Pisidia past the towns of Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

Pisidian Antioch stood on a plateau 3,600 feet above sea level.

Mentioned in connection with Paul’s 1st missionary journey.

Paul and Barnabas had to climb a hard mountainous road to get there and preach in the synagogue (Acts 13:14-16).

Useful Links... ➤ Paul’s Journeys —Summary of the journeys and periods of the apostle Paul. Traditionally, Paul is said to have made three missionary journeys, plus a fourth journey to Rome. Tap the title above, next to the arrow, to go to that lesson with a link back to this page. ➤ Acts 11:19-30 —A verse by verse study of the establishment of a new church in Antioch Syria, and the involvement in this work of Paul and Barnabas. Tap the title above, next to the arrow, to go to that lesson with a link back to this page. Cross references Tap a Lookup below to generate a list of lessons. ➤ Index for Antioch ➤ Index for Paul’s Journeys ➤ Index for Church pdf link

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