Turkey

Antioch

Meaning
The name Antioch likely honors Antiochus, father of the general Seleucus I Nicator, who founded the city around 300 BC. It was there that the first truly mixed church of Jews and Gentiles was born, and from there the church's first great mission to the world was launched.
About the place

Antioch of Syria was the third largest city in the Roman Empire, surpassed only by Rome and Alexandria. It stood on the banks of the Orontes River, at the crossroads between the East and the Mediterranean world, and already had a large Jewish community before the gospel arrived there.

After the persecution that followed the death of Stephen, scattered believers reached Antioch and began proclaiming Jesus to the Greeks as well, not only to the Jews. There a truly mixed church was born, Jews and Gentiles side by side.

Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to confirm this work and brought Saul of Tarsus to teach alongside him for a whole year. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

From there the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul for the church’s first great missionary journey. Antioch became the sending base for the mission to the Gentiles, the counterpart to Jerusalem in the book of Acts, the place from which missionaries departed and to which they returned to give an account.

Key verses

The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Acts 11:26

Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

Acts 13:2

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

Galatians 2:11

What happened here

The gospel reaches the Greeks

Believers scattered by the persecution in Jerusalem came to Antioch and began to proclaim Jesus to Greeks as well, not only to Jews. Many believed and turned to the Lord.

Acts 11:19-21

Barnabas and Saul teach the church

Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem, saw the grace of God, and went to Tarsus to look for Saul. The two taught there for a whole year, and in Antioch the disciples were called Christians for the first time.

Acts 11:22-26

Antioch sends relief to Judea

The prophet Agabus announced that a great famine would come over the whole world. The disciples in Antioch decided to send help to the believers in Judea through Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 11:27-30

The church sets Barnabas and Saul apart for the mission

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit told the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which he had called them. After fasting and praying, the church sent them off.

Acts 13:1-3

Paul and Barnabas return from the first missionary journey

Back in Antioch, they gathered the church and reported everything God had done through them, including how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 14:26-28

Paul rebukes Peter in Antioch

When Cephas (Peter) withdrew from the Gentiles for fear of the circumcision group, Paul rebuked him publicly for not walking in line with the truth of the gospel.

Galatians 2:11-14

The council's letter is read, and Paul and Barnabas part ways

Judas and Silas brought to Antioch the letter from the Council of Jerusalem, which made the church glad. Afterward, a disagreement over taking John Mark led Paul and Barnabas to go separate ways.

Acts 15:30-41
Timeline
around AD 40

The gospel is proclaimed to the Greeks and the church in Antioch is born

around AD 43-44

Barnabas and Saul teach the church for a year; the disciples are called Christians

around AD 46

Antioch sends relief to the believers in Judea

around AD 47-48

The church sets Barnabas and Saul apart for the first missionary journey

around AD 48

Paul and Barnabas return and report the work among the Gentiles

around AD 49 (date debated)

Paul rebukes Peter for hypocrisy in front of the Gentiles

around AD 49-50

The letter from the Council of Jerusalem is read; Paul and Barnabas part ways

People linked to this place
B

Barnabas

Strengthened the church, sent out on the mission

P

Paul

Taught here and was sent out

P

Peter (Cephas)

Rebuked by Paul for hypocrisy

M

Manaen

Prophet and teacher, raised with Herod

N

Nicolas

A convert to Judaism from Antioch, chosen as a deacon in Jerusalem

J

John Mark

Cause of the split between the missionaries

J

Judas and Silas

Carried the council's letter

Books where it appears

Acts

tells of the birth of the church in Antioch and the missionary journeys sent out from there

Galatians

Paul recounts his confrontation with Peter in Antioch

The place today
The place today

Ancient Antioch of Syria lies today beneath the city of Antakya, in Hatay Province in southern Turkey, near the Syrian border. Much of the ancient Roman city is buried or covered by the modern city, and few ruins remain visible, among them fortifications in the surrounding mountains and the ancient cave known as the Church of St. Peter.

In February 2023, a powerful earthquake struck the region and destroyed much of Antakya, leaving thousands dead and many more homeless across Hatay Province. Rebuilding is still slow.

It was from here that the church's first great mission to the Gentiles set out. Today Turkey is a Muslim-majority country with very few Christians. Pray that the gospel will flourish again in the land that once sent the first missionaries into the world.

Pray for this nation today: Turquia

Other places

Biblical place

Ramah