The Antiochs of the New Testament
Good morning,
This week we will be introduced to the church at Antioch. Although there is no underestimating the spiritual impact that the church at Jerusalem made in the world, it is Antioch that becomes the epicenter of the spread of the Gospel in the book of Acts. However, Christians can sometimes get confused because there are actually two Antiochs in the New Testament and both play a prominent role in the story of the spread of the Gospel.
The first Antioch is sometimes called Syrian Antioch. It is located in modern-day Turkey near the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Syrian Antioch was a large city that was a center of the Roman government and military in the area. In the Bible this Antioch is very significant because it becomes a major church center where believers were first called Christians and from which Paul and Barnabas were sent on missionary work.
The second Antioch is sometimes called Pisidian Antioch. It is also located in modern-day Turkey, but it is located much farther north in the interior of the country. While it was a sizable town, it wasn’t nearly as big as Syrian Antioch. Pisidian Antioch was located on an overland trade route and was a regional center of government and trade. In the Bible this Antioch is significant because it was a key destination on Paul's first missionary journey, where he preached in the synagogue and the gospel spread among Gentiles.
We can think of the two Antiochs this way: Syrian Antioch was the missionary headquarters of the early church. Pisidian Antioch was a mission field. Both are important to the story of the New Testament and we will look at both over the next few weeks in our series!
Here’s what’s happening:
1. I currently do not have someone providing food for the fellowship time before the service. If you are willing to help with this, please let me know.
2. TOMORROW - Harvest Party: The fun starts at 6pm with the traditional hot dog and all the fixins meal. Kids’ Bake Off, Pumpkin Painting and a whole lot of activities down in the woods. Looks like a fantastic night weather-wise! Come for a night of fellowship!
3. Sunday – Operation Christmas Child Kickoff
4. 11/3 – Double Nickels Service Project at Blessings of Hope
5. 11/8 – Double Nickels Luncheon
6. 11/12 – Youth Group
7. 11/15 – Communion Sunday
8. 11/13 – Double Nickels Service Project at Blessings of Hope
9. 11/22 – Thanksgiving Meal – A sign up sheet will be available on Sunday.
10. 11/29 – Youth Group Luncheon
“God is doing something new!” Have you ever heard that phrase? It is true that God is always at work and sometimes in ways that seem new. In Acts 11, we see how God was doing something new by bringing Gentiles into His church without changing the truth He had always taught. On Sunday we’ll discover how to embrace what God is doing today while remaining faithful to His unchanging Word!
See you on Sunday,
Scott
PS – Sunday is still “TBD.” It is going to depend on both the forecast (looking good at the moment) and what progress is made on the building project. More information to come.