Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Antioch of Syria

 Matthew James Elliott

Over the past several months, these articles have focused a lot on the darker side of history. With the holiday season upon us, I thought it would be a great opportunity to focus on some cities that have more of a positive history. Why? Well, because why not? We all need a little light in our lives this holiday season, don’t we? I know I sure could use some. 

Antioch of Syria was a more pleasant city to research as I was preparing for this one, and it is also one of my favorite cities in scripture. Where many other places were deep in the midst of struggle and persecution, Antioch served as an image of hope and light. It was a beacon in the darkness, not too dissimilar to the idea behind my publishing entity, Lanterns of Light PenWorks. 

Amid everything else that was going on in the world of the Early Church, Antioch served as both a physical and a spiritual refuge for those who followed “The Way”. It was in Antioch that the term “Christian” was first used, and it played a pivotal role in determining the identity of the early church as well as the mission‌ (Acts 11:26). After the stoning of Stephen and the resulting persecution, I spoke to when this series toured Jerusalem, believers were scattered in every direction. Many of them found a new beginning in Antioch. 

The Legacy that was built upon the hearts and minds of those who found themselves in Antioch during this season of the Early Church is nothing short of an overwhelming voice of hope in the midst of sheer terror. When people began to associate Christians with Antioch, it gave them a distinct identity that was not tied to the empire, but to Christ himself.  The city became that beacon of light, and remained that for centuries, so much so that the leaders of the church in Jerusalem sent people like Barnabas and, at the time, Saul, to figure out what was going on. 

Antioch of Syria (Not Pisidia)

Antioch’s church was filled with prophets and teachers like the two I just mentioned above. It didn’t stop there either. The book of Acts is very clear on the Influence several other leaders of the church had on the missionary journeys of Paul and his companions all throughout this period in history.  People like Simeon Niger (some believe could be Simon of Cyrene), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and even Luke, were all associated with the city at one time.  Their impact pushed the ministry of the early church out into the world, and their light burned brightly.

As more people began to flock to this ‘city upon a hill’, things only started shining even brighter.  When the believers who fled Jerusalem found themselves in Antioch, they preached to a community of multiple ethnicities, and the Growth in the city became more than physical (Acts 11:19-30). It became a spiritual haven filled with discipleship that flourished in a diverse setting of people from all different shapes and paths in life. The gospel thrived in more ways than one. 

Disputes that led to the council of Jerusalem in 50 AD, which opened the door to the gentile ministry of Paul, and others, became a testing ground for fostering unity and peace (Acts 15:1-35). Later on, when Paul confronted Peter in Antioch for withdrawing from the very people they were now ministering to, it opened hearts and minds in unexpected ways (Galatians 2:11-21). Harmony found life, and even amid deep personal conflicts, the power of faith was revealed. People found reconciliation, and it changed the world. 

Image of Antioch from Learn Religions

In the end, those who left the city in search of ministering to the lost in cities like Philippi, which is our next stop, always found their way back to the city of Antioch to share the stories of Testimony and grace that they experienced along the way.  Upon reporting all that happened, the good and the bad, people found strength and faith. Doors were opened, not from the Walls of Rome or the Harbors of Caesarea, but from the streets of Antioch. A light that was not dimmed by persecution but lifted high, lighting the way for the generation of believers to come. 

The L.I.G.H.T. Antioch cultivated throughout the history of the Early Church Era changed the game. It opened the way forward for many and became a testimony of grace and compassion. I believe that in the world we live in today, that same light is needed again. Where that light comes from is up to all of us. Each of us can be that light if we choose to be. So that's the challenge: how can you be a light this holiday season?

Let me know in the comments below. 

See you in the pages,

M.J.E.

(PS, our next stop, as mentioned in the article you just read, is Philippi. It was the first Grecian city Paul preached in, and likely where Luke gained more of a prominent role as the beloved physician.)

 ~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, came out on Father's Day and has received a ChristLit Book Award for excellence in Christian Literature. Grab it via Amazon. If you enjoy it, please let me know by posting a review.

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors.

Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.