Antioch
City on the river Orontes that Josephus calls the metropolis of Syria and ranks third in the Roman empire. Acts says that the disciples were first called Christians here, and has Paul set out from here on his missionary journeys.
Josephus calls Antioch the metropolis of Syria and the third city of the Roman world, and says that it had a large Jewish community (Josephus, Jewish War 3.29) (Josephus, Jewish War 7.43–45). Acts says that believers scattered from Jerusalem preached there to non-Jews, Barnabas and Paul taught there, and “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:19–26); see the Church at Antioch, Where Believers Were First Called Christians. The church sent the two out on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1–3). The dispute that led to the Council of Jerusalem began there, and there Paul confronted Peter (Acts 15:1–2) (Galatians 2:11–14). Ignatius of Antioch calls himself “the bishop of Syria” in his letter to the Romans (Ignatius, Romans 2). It is to be distinguished from Pisidian Antioch in Asia Minor.
What happened here
- about AD 43, estimated dateThe Church at Antioch, Where Believers Were First Called Christians
Acts tells how believers scattered from Jerusalem begin to preach to non-Jews at Antioch in Syria. Barnabas is sent to them and brings Saul from Tarsus. Acts says that the disciples were first called Christians there and that the church sent famine relief to Judea.
- about AD 46 to AD 48, estimated datePaul’s First Missionary Journey
Acts tells how Barnabas and Paul, sent out by the church at Antioch, preach in Cyprus and in the cities of southern Asia Minor, first in the synagogues and then to Gentiles, and found churches there before returning to Antioch.
- about AD 49, estimated dateThe Council of Jerusalem
Acts tells how Paul and Barnabas go up from Antioch to Jerusalem to settle whether Gentile believers must be circumcised, and how the apostles and elders decide that they need not be. Whether the meeting Paul describes in Galatians is the same one is disputed.
- about AD 49, estimated datePaul Opposes Peter at Antioch
Paul tells the Galatians how Cephas, who had been eating with Gentile believers at Antioch, withdrew when people came from James, and how he rebuked him in front of everyone. Whether this came before or after the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 is disputed.
- c. AD 50–120, estimated dateThe Didache, an Early Church Manual
An anonymous handbook, “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles”, sets out for one early community how to live, how to baptize, fast and pray, what to say over the cup and the bread, and how to treat travelling prophets and local leaders.
- about AD 110, traditional dateIgnatius of Antioch Writes on the Road to Martyrdom
Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, is taken under guard to Rome to be thrown to wild beasts. On the way he writes seven letters that urge unity around the bishop, insist that Christ truly suffered, and ask the Roman Christians not to save him.
- AD 361 to AD 363, firm dateJulian Tries to Restore the Old Religion
Julian, a nephew of Constantine, renounces the Christianity in which he was raised, reopens the temples and bars Christians from teaching the classics. He dies on campaign in Persia after less than two years as sole ruler.
- AD 398 to AD 407, firm dateJohn Chrysostom, Preacher and Exile
John, a presbyter of Antioch known for his preaching, is made bishop of Constantinople in 398. His reforms and his plain speaking make enemies among the clergy and at court. A synod deposes him, the emperor banishes him twice, and he dies in exile in 407.
Primary sources
The Jewish War
- Josephus, Jewish War 3.29lexundria.com
- Josephus, Jewish War 7.43–45lexundria.com
The Letters of Ignatius of Antioch
- Ignatius, Romans 2newadvent.org