Difference between revisions of "Antioch"

<p> '''1.''' In Syria, capital of its Greek kings, and of its Roman governors subsequently. [[Built]] where Lebanon running N. and [[Taurus]] E., meet at a bend of the river Orontes; partly on an island, partly on the level left bank. Near it was Apollo's licentious sanctuary, Daphne. [[Nicolas]] the deacon was a proselyte of Antioch. The Christians dispersed by Stephen's martyrdom preached at Antioch to idolatrous Greeks, not "Grecians" or Greekspeaking Jews, according to the Alexandrine manuscript (&nbsp;Acts 11:20; &nbsp;Acts 11:26), whence a church having been formed under Barnabas and Paul's care, the disciples were first called "Christians" there. From Antioch their charity was sent by the hands of Barnabas and Saul to the brethren at Jerusalem suffering in the famine. </p> <p> Paul began his ministry systematically here. At Antioch [[Judaizers]] from Jerusalem disturbed the church (&nbsp;Acts 15:1). Here Paul rebuked Peter for dissimulation (&nbsp;Galatians 2:11-12). From Antioch Paul started on his first missionary journey (&nbsp;Acts 13:1-3), and returned to it (&nbsp;Acts 14:26). He began, after the Jerusalem decree, addressed to the Gentile converts at Antioch, and ended, his second missionary journey there (&nbsp;Acts 15:36; &nbsp;Acts 18:22-23). His third journey also began there. Ignatius was subsequently bishop there for forty years, down to his martyrdom A. D. 107. </p> <p> Antioch was founded by Seleucus Nicator, and Jews were given the same political privileges as Greeks. Antiochus Epiphanes formed a great colonnaded street intersecting it from one end to the other. Pompey made it a free city. The citizens were framed for scurrility and giving nick-names. "Christian" was probably a name of their invention, and not of the disciples' origination. (See [[Christian]] .) Now called Antakia, a poor mean place; some ancient walls remain on the crags of mount Silpius. A gateway still bears the name of Paul. </p> <p> '''2.''' ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA: Also founded by Seleucus Nicator. Made a colony by Rome; called also Caesarea. Now Yalobatch, on a high ridge. When Paul, on his first missionary tour with Barnabas, preached in the synagogue there, many Gentiles believed. The Jews therefore raised a persecution by the wealthy women of the place, and drove him from Antioch to Iconium, and followed him even to Lystra (&nbsp;Acts 13:14; &nbsp;Acts 13:50-51; &nbsp;Acts 14:19; &nbsp;Acts 14:21). On his return from Lystra he revisited Antioch to confirm the souls of the disciples amidst their tribulations. In &nbsp;2 Timothy 3:11 he refers to Timothy's acquaintance with his trials at Antioch of Pisidia; and Timothy's own home was in the neighborhood (&nbsp;Acts 16:1). </p>

<p> [[Antioch]] (''Ăn'Ti-'' ''Ŏk'' ), ''Place That Withstands'' (from [[Antiochus]] ). The name of two cities in New Testament times. 1. Antioch in Syria, &nbsp;Acts 11:19; &nbsp;Acts 11:22, founded by Seleucus Nicator, about 300 b.c., and enlarged by Antiochus Epiphanes. This city was about 300 miles north of Jerusalem, on the left bank of the river Orontes, 16½ miles from the Mediterranean, in a deep pass between the Lebanon and the Taurus ranges of mountains. At Antioch the disciples were first called Christians, &nbsp;Acts 11:26; it was an important centre for the spread of the gospel, &nbsp;Acts 13:1-52; from it Paul started on his missionary journeys, &nbsp;Acts 15:35-36; &nbsp;Acts 18:22-23; important principles of Christian faith and practice were raised and settled through the church at Antioch. &nbsp;Acts 14:26-27; &nbsp;Acts 15:2-30; &nbsp;Galatians 2:11-14. It was made a "free" city by Pompey, was beautified by the emperors with aqueducts, baths, and public buildings; and in Paul's time it ranked third in population, wealth and commercial activity among the cities of the Roman empire. Christianity gained such strength there, that in the time of Chrysostom, who was born at Antioch, one-half of the 200,000 inhabitants of the city were Christians. The old town, which was five miles long, is now represented by a mean, shrunken-looking place of about 6000 population, called ''Antakieh.'' 2. Antioch in or near Pisidia was also founded or rebuilt by Seleucus Nicator. It was situated on a ridge—Strabo calls it a "height"—near the foot of the mountain-range, and by the northern shore of Lake ''Eyerdir.'' Paul preached there, &nbsp;Acts 13:14; &nbsp;Acts 14:21, and was persecuted by the people. &nbsp;2 Timothy 3:11. There were at least sixteen cities of the name of Antioch in Syria and Asia Minor. </p>

<li> In the extreme north of Pisidia; was visited by Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey (&nbsp;Acts 13:14 ). Here they found a synagogue and many proselytes. They met with great success in preaching the gospel, but the Jews stirred up a violent opposition against them, and they were obliged to leave the place. On his return, Paul again visited Antioch for the purpose of confirming the disciples (&nbsp;Acts 14:21 ). It has been identified with the modern Yalobatch, lying to the east of Ephesus. <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Antioch'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/a/antioch.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>