Sunday, April 29, 2018 am
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
- 2017-18 (55)
A Study Of Churches (2)
The Church at Antioch
We
have begun summarizing our detailed study of the New Testament church.
Last week be began noting some NT congregations and some lessons
we can learn from them. We
addressed the church at Jerusalem.
We find there when the church began and the first congregation of
the Lord’s people. One
quality associated with that church was how it was made up of Jewish
converts. This would
become an issue as that church grew.
Today we want to notice an early GENTILE congregation. The church at
Antioch of Syria.
a.
About Antioch of Syria
i.
We read of at least 2
Antiochs in the Empire. Here
and Pisidia where Paul goes on his first preaching journeys.
It was located about 300 miles north of Jerusalem and about 13
miles from the Mediterranean Sea.
ii.
Antioch of Syria was a
very prominent city in the Roman Empire.
Recorded as the third most important (and largest) city (behind
Rome and Alexandria), it was a gateway to Asia.
iii.
It was a large and
diverse city (estimated 300,000 population).
It was the capital of the province of Syria.
There was plenty of idolatry and immorality in its midst.
iv.
Due to earlier
influences, there were many Jews in the city of Antioch.
This would be helpful as you have Jews who interacted on a daily
basis with Gentiles. They
coexisted. Perhaps they would be more tolerant of one another because of
this.
b.
Acts 11:19-26 – READ
this as an introduction to Acts.
c.
Began with the
scattering of the Jews – Acts 8:4, 11:19-20.
This would contribute to its makeup.
d.
Strengthened by Barnabas
– Acts 11:22-24
e.
From there he would
depart for Tarsus to find Saul and bring him back (Acts 11:25-26) they
would work together there for a year
f.
First called Christians
there – Acts 11:26
g.
It was from Antioch that
Paul begins all 3 of his missionary journeys.
it was at Antioch where Paul withstood Peter to his face for hypocrisy –
Galatians 2:11-14.
h.
They also interacted
with Jerusalem on several occasions
i.
First Jerusalem sent
Barnabas to go as far as Antioch – we have seen he works with these
brethren.
ii.
When there were physical
concerns for the needs of brethren in Judea, which would most certainly
include Jerusalem, they send relief
iii.
They worked with the
church at Jerusalem (and the apostles) to resolve doctrinal concerns
(both congregations were involved in the problem) – Acts 15.
a.
Diverse
– Gentiles and Jews.
Possibly the first Gentile (or integrated) church.
Acts 11:19-20 record its beginning with brethren going there from
Jerusalem (Acts 8:4) (Also consider Acts 6:5 – among the 7 chosen in
Jerusalem to care for the Hellenistic widows was a man named Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch. It is probable he was from Antioch of Syria.)
AND men from the island of
Cypress coming and teaching the Hellenists, “preaching
the Lord Jesus.”
From this we learn our need for diversity in congregations.
One’s social or ethnic background should not matter at all.
Galatians 3:27-28.
Romans 10:12 notes there is no distinction between the Jew and Greek, “for
the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.”
PERHAPS, this is WHY it is here we read, “The disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26)
This non-distinction is verified in Acts 15:9 as Peter speaks.
b.
Filled with good works
–
Acts 11 – they sent relief to Judea.
Acts 11:27-30 when they hear of a prophesied famine in the world,
they determine to send relief to brethren in Judea.
Consider this in light of their diversity including Gentiles.
They are willing to help brethren who are probably exclusively
Jewish. They also did so
according to their ability or prosperity (Acts 11:29).
This verse also note that they “determined” to do this – this was done
freely and willingly!
These were brethren willing to sacrifice for others (cf. 2 Corinthians
8:1-5).
The Gospel can bring out the best in us – both as individuals and
as the collective body of Christ.
c.
They demonstrated the independence of a local church
-
We have addressed the autonomy and independence of local churches.
We find it manifested here.
NOTE Acts 11:29-30. In this they respected the autonomy of local
churches. Sending their help
directly to the churches in need AND doing so by recognizing that elders
were the shepherds.
d.
Evangelistic
– a form of good works.
Acts 11:21 – a great number believed, and many turned to the Lord.
For a whole year we read that Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were there
preaching and teaching – Acts 11:26. A great many people were taught.
Antioch was the starting point of Paul’s 3 missionary journeys –
Acts 13:1-3 – Paul and Barnabas (and John Mark); Acts 15:34-41 – Paul
and Silas begin his 2nd preaching trip which would carry him
into south-eastern Europe (Macedonia and Greece).
Acts 18:22-23 – after spending some time in Antioch, Paul departs over
the region of Galatia and beyond beginning his 3rd preaching
trip.
EXACTLY what part they had in these trips we are not told, but they
certainly stood behind him in all of them.
I think of Philippians 4:17 where Paul commending the help of the
Philippi brethren notes, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit
that abounds to your account.”
They were in fellowship with Paul in the gospel (Philippians
1:5).
Did Antioch have a part in Paul’s works? It is very likely so
considering Paul continually returned to this congregation.
e.
Devoted to the truth
– Acts 15. Respected the word of the Lord in what they did.
i.
When Judaizing teachers
appeared among them (15:1-2), they addressed the problem by sending men,
including Paul and Barnabas to go to Jerusalem WHERE the problem
originated and determine what they ought to do.
ii.
We then find in
Jerusalem a recounting of events up until that point in which they
determined that Gentiles did NOT need to become Jews to be saved.
They did this, NOT by democratic vote or the preferences of men,
but by examining the spiritual facts both in word and deed and reached
the TRUE conclusion that Gentiles did NOT need to become Jews to be
saved. They wrote a letter
to that fact and attributed it to the Holy Spirit – Acts 15:23-29.
It was through reasoning that they determined THE WILL OF THE
LORD and decided to do that.
And it applied to ALL OF THEM.
iii.
There were NOT different doctrinal beliefs for Jews and Gentiles in
varying cities.
There was not a spirit of ecumenicalism with Gentiles choosing to
worship one way and Jews another.
Paul taught the same thing in Jerusalem that he taught in Antioch
and everywhere he went. NOTE
1 Corinthians 4:17. There was a determination to teach the same thing
and reach agreement. Hence
going to Jerusalem to deal with the Judaizing teachers who had come into
their midst.
And
thus we can see the church at Antioch.
There ae many wonderful lessons we can learn and a pattern we
need to follow as we strive to be the body of Christ that meets here.
He wants us to share His word with others.
Antioch is a fitting example of that.
How are we doing with this?