Antioch Christians, Part 2
Introduction: This is part 2 of the Bible study about the church at Antioch of ancient Syria. There are still other very interesting historical facts to examine about this unique early church. Paul was a member, not the founder of this church; and he wrote no letter to them, but the apostles at Jerusalem did write a brief letter and Paul was among those who delivered it to Antioch.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the Revised Webster Bible.
A — Were Gentile Christians Required to Be Circumcised?
Acts 15 “8 And God, who knoweth the hearts, bore them witness, giving to them the Holy Spirit, even as [he did] to us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
Comments: Paul and Barnabas disputed strongly with some who came from Judaea claiming that Gentiles could not be saved unless they were circumcised under the law of Moses. It was determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others would go to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. When Peter reminded the gathering at Jerusalem of his own experience of seeing Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit he declared that the Lord had put no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles, purifying their hearts by faith. His conclusion was that if they put upon the necks of the Gentiles a yoke of keeping the law that even the Jews could not fulfill, they would be tempting God.
B — Jerusalem Apostles Send Letters to Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
Acts 15 “22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from immorality: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”
Comments: The apostles, elders, and the whole church was in agreement to send chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to deliver letters addressed to the brethren who were of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. The letters began by declaring that those who said Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the law, did not receive that command from the apostles at Jerusalem. In fact those words were very troubling for the Gentiles, and would subvert their souls if accepted.
C — Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch with a Letter
Acts 15 “30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31 [Which] when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed [them].”
Comments: When the returning company reached Antioch the church was gathered together to hear the letter from Jerusalem. When the reading was complete, the assembly rejoiced for the consolation this letter represented. Judas and Silas, who are identified in the text as prophets, added their encouragement as they confirmed the content of the letter. Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
D — Silas Joins in Paul's Second Missionary Journey
Acts 15 “39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.”
Comments: After a length of time that is not specified, Paul approached Barnabas with a plan to go back to the cities they had visited together. This led to the disagreement with Barnabas about John Mark joining them, with the result that Paul and Silas became traveling companions, while Barnabas took Mark with him to Cyprus. Paul found a young believer named Timothy when they moved on to Derbe and Lystra, and he wanted to take him along as they traveled. Scripture records the success of their journey with the churches being established in the faith and increasing in number daily.
E — Paul's Last Recorded Visit to Antioch of Syria
Acts 18 “22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 And after he had spent some time [there], he departed, and went over [all] the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.”
Comments: Paul sailed to Caesarea and greeted the church, and from there he went to Antioch. After Paul had spent some time at Antioch, he went through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. There is no further mention of Antioch in the book of Acts, and there is no scriptural letter from Paul to the church at Antioch. All record of the church there gives indication that it was perhaps the strongest and most stable church of the time.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the record of the church at Antioch from the book of Acts, and for reinforcement of the principals they followed that can be found in some of Paul's letters to other churches. As a Gentile, I praise you that your plan of salvation to eternal life was intended for all tribes, tongues, and nations; and that it is based on the finished work of Christ Jesus that is received by grace through faith. The record shows that you guided your apostles to the agreement that the law was fulfilled in Christ, and that no flesh could be justified by the works of the law. Give me discernment when I encounter any doctrine of man that detracts from the pure gospel of Christ; and I pray that you will work continually in my own heart that I will not be one of those who thus wanders from the truth. Enable me Lord to be a truly supportive member of my local assembly of believers. Amen.
Published 27 October 2012