It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christian. This name wasn’t chosen by themselves but it was a descriptive name given to them by others based on their lives and witness. Today over 2 billion people claim to be Christian. May we live our lives today give such a strong witness about Jesus that others cannot but help describe us this way!

<p>It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christian. This name wasn’t chosen by themselves but it was a descriptive name given to them by others based on their lives and witness. Today over 2 billion people claim to be Christian. May we live our lives today give such a strong witness about Jesus that others cannot but help describe us this way!</p>

Lineage Journey

Adam Ramdin

Pentecost to Patmos

01 Pentecost to Patmos

04 Peter: Delivered From Prison

02 The Stoning of Stephen

05 Antioch: And They Were Called Christians

06 Paul & Silas: Preaching in Philippi

07 Paul & Silas: The Work in Thessaloniki & Berea

03 Paul: The Road to Damascus

08 Paul: Ministry in Athens

09 Paul: Ministry in Corinth

10 Paul: Uproar in Ephesus

11 Paul: Before Felix & Agrippa

12 Paul: Shipwrecked On Malta

13 Paul: Arrest & Trial in Rome

14 Peter: Calling, Consecration & Crucifixion

15 John: The Beloved & Patmos


Antioch, Syria The City of Antioch the City of Antioch The city of Antioch lies today in the modern-day country of Turkey, though this land has changed hands a few times. In Bible times it would have been Syria, and it was a wealthy, cultured, and refined city, known as a resort city in beautiful surroundings. Sometimes referred to as the Queen of the East or Antioch the Beautiful, it was a pivotal point in trade and travel between Persia, Babylon, India, and Europe. With a population of over 500, 000 and known for their licentiousness, sin, and superstition, once again Paul and the apostles did not pick an easy place to evangelize. [♪ music ♪ In the first century AD, disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene came here to Antioch preaching the gospel and had great success.

Previously, when the disciples had gone out, they had only preached to the Jews, but here they also preached to the Grecians. Hearing of the success of the work, the believers in Jerusalem decided to send Barnabas to come and aid the work. His work here in the city was very successful, and many were added to the believers. After laboring here for some time, he went to Tarsus where Saul was working and persuaded him to come here to Antioch. Together they labored in the city for about 1 year and had great success in the gospel ministry.

[♪ music ♪ Their work in this city was characterized by a strong emphasis on the ministry of Jesus. They preached about Jesus, taught about Jesus, and were known everywhere as those who preached the message of a crucified and risen Savior. Because of this, the Bible records in Acts 11 verse 26 this famous verse, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Here in Antioch, today in a Muslim country, the name Christian was first used. This word was used because it aptly described this group of believers in that they were talking about Jesus all the time.

How did the Jews and the Christians get to know each other? Another significant thing that took place here in Antioch was the ordination of Paul and Barnabas to the gospel ministry through the laying on of hands. The laying on of hands was significant to anyone of a Jewish background, for this happened when a father blessed his children or when an animal was taken to the temple for sacrifice. Here in Antioch, the leaders of the church laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas and blessed them for the gospel ministry and dedicated them with prayer. That Paul and Barnabas, the greatest missionaries the Christian Church has ever known, would work in harmony with what the early church and early believers wanted, is a lesson to all of us.

They came here as the church sent for them, and they went from here in fulfillment of God's calling on their life, but also with the blessing of the church. [♪ music ♪ The name Christian has been used ever since to describe the body of believers who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This movement has grown over the years, decades, centuries, and millennia since then, until today it numbers over 2 billion people. Throughout history many people have used this term to describe themselves, to form their identity, and to define their purpose, and the name Christian started in Antioch. The question for us today is, does it still apply to us?

If other people were to label us, what would they call us? May there be a correlation between what we claim about ourselves and what other people call us that I claim to be a Christian is echoed by those who know us. You

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Series

Pentecost to Patmos

05 Antioch: And They Were Called Christians

Description

Parent Series

Sponsor

Recorded

Other Teachings in Series

01 Pentecost to Patmos

5m

04 Peter: Delivered From Prison

5m

02 The Stoning of Stephen

4m

05 Antioch: And They Were Called Christians

4m

06 Paul & Silas: Preaching in Philippi

5m

07 Paul & Silas: The Work in Thessaloniki & Berea

4m

03 Paul: The Road to Damascus

5m

08 Paul: Ministry in Athens

4m

09 Paul: Ministry in Corinth

5m

10 Paul: Uproar in Ephesus

5m

11 Paul: Before Felix & Agrippa

5m

12 Paul: Shipwrecked On Malta

5m

13 Paul: Arrest & Trial in Rome

5m

14 Peter: Calling, Consecration & Crucifixion

5m

15 John: The Beloved & Patmos

5m

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