THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH

INTRODUCTION• Third largest city in Roman Empire• Controlled commerce of Mesopotamian

Plain• Full of Mythology• Potent in commerce• Powerful in politics• Prominent in history• Became center of missionary activity of

the New Testament Era.

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH• Dispersion of

the Jerusalem church– Acts 8:3,4

“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and

dragging off men and women, committing

them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went

everywhere preaching the word.”

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH• Dispersion of

the Jerusalem church– Acts 11:19

“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.”

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH• Preached Jesus

in Antioch– Acts 11:20

“But some of them were men from Cyprus and

Cyrene, who, when they had

come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists,

preaching the Lord Jesus.”

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH• They “believed

and turned to the Lord”– Acts 11:21

“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the

Lord.”

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH• Jerusalem

church sends Barnabas out to assist– Acts 11:22

“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.”

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH• Church grows

as a result of his exhortation– Acts 11:23,24

“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. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

And a great many people were

added to the Lord.”

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH• Barnabas

secures Paul to aid in Antioch

• Continue for one year– Acts 11:25,26

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to

seek Saul. 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.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• The name “Christian” first given there

• Not given to the Church—but individual members– Acts 11:26

“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.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• The Church at Antioch was the first local church to be composed of both Jews and Gentiles generally– 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.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• Energetic and zealous in evangelistic work. Two men preached a whole year– Acts 15:35

“Paul and Barnabas also remained in

Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others

also.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• Well supplied with teachers (evidencing growth and development) making it possible for the church to reach out into other areas– Acts 13:1-3

“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.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• A missionary church. One of the most prominent in this work. At home and abroad. Became the base of Paul’s and Barnabas’ efforts to spread the gospel.– Acts 14:26-27

“From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the

grace of God for the work which they had completed. 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.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• A missionary church. One of the most prominent in this work. At home and abroad. Became the base of Paul’s and Barnabas’ efforts to spread the gospel.– Acts 15:35,36

“Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch,

teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas,

"Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every

city where we have preached the word of the

Lord, and see how they are doing.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• A benevolent church. Must have been liberal in giving. Sent relief to Jerusalem. First church to send relief to those in another locality.– Acts 11:29,30

“Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also

did, and sent it to the elders by the

hands of Barnabas and Saul.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• Recognized the local church as the medium through which to work. “Sending to the elders.”– Acts 11:30

“This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the

hands of Barnabas and

Saul.”

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• Recognized the organization of the N.T. Church and respected the eldership.– Acts 15:1,2

“And certain men came down from Judea and taught

the brethren, "Unless you are

circumcised according to the custom of Moses,

you cannot be saved..."

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• Recognized the organization of the N.T. Church and respected the eldership.– Acts 15:2

“Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them,

they determined that Paul and Barnabas

and certain others of them should go up to

Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question."

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• Recognized the authority of the apostles as final in determining the truth on controversial questions.– Acts 15:2

“Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them,

they determined that Paul and Barnabas

and certain others of them should go up to

Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question."

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• A growing church. “Many added to the Lord.”– Acts 11:24

“For he was a good man, full of the

Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord."

CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

• They were interested in the study of God’s word. This accounted for their strength and growth. A years revival!– Acts 15:35

“Paul and Barnabas also remained in

Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others

also."