Antioch: 1. In Syria, on the river Orontes, about 16 miles from the
Mediterranean, and some 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It was
the metropolis of Syria, and afterwards became the capital of
the Roman province in Asia. It ranked third, after Rome and
Alexandria, in point of importance, of the cities of the Roman
empire. It was called the "first city of the East."
Christianity was early introduced into it
(Acts 11:19,21,24)
and the name "Christian" was first applied here to its
professors
(Acts 11:26) It is intimately connected with the
early history of the gospel
(Acts 6:5; 11:19,27,28,30; 12:25)
(Acts 15:22-35; Galatians 2:11,12) It was the great central point whence
missionaries to the Gentiles were sent forth. It was the
birth-place of the famous Christian father Chrysostom, who died
A.D. 407 It bears the modern name of Antakia, and is now a
miserable, decaying Turkish town. Like Philippi, it was raised
to the rank of a Roman colony. Such colonies were ruled by
"praetors", R.V. marg.,
(Acts 16:20,21)
2. In the extreme north of Pisidia; was visited by Paul and
Barnabas on the first missionary journey
(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
(Acts 14:21) It has been
identified with the modern Yalobatch, lying to the east of
Ephesus.
