ON THE FIRST JOURNEY PAUL DEPARTS FROM ANTIOCH OF SYRIA

ACTS 13–14

As the news of Jesus began to radiate in ever-widening circles from Jerusalem, it expanded to a growing church in Antioch of Syria. During a time of worship there, the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul and sent them into the interior of Asia Minor armed with the gospel. This journey took them first to the island of Cyprus, then on to the coast of Asia Minor, past the coastal mountains of Pamphylia, and on to the high plateau of central Asia where they visited Pisidian Antioch,22 Lystra, Derbe, and Iconium (Acts 13:1–14:28). This journey and the two later journeys of Paul began in Antioch. We will explore why a thriving church developed in that city and why it became the starting point for Paul’s extended travels.

Antioch of Syria was a major city with half a million residents and a thriving Jewish quarter.23 This city was filled with the best of Roman architecture, boasting magnificent public buildings, colonnaded streets, and public baths.24 This was a city of some means, due in no small part to its unique position as a transportation hub linking eastern and western worlds. Antioch was connected to its seaport city, Seleucia Pieria, located sixteen miles to the west by the Orontes River. It was connected to the east by overland routes that connected Antioch with the major cities of Mesopotamia.25 As merchants and travelers exchanged goods, they also openly exchanged ideas and experiences. That happened in other cities as well, but Antioch of Syria was particularly marked as a place where religious, racial, and national barriers were easily crossed.26

Crusader facade built in front of the Grotto of Saint Peter in Antioch of Syria (Antakya, Turkey).

Statue of Saint Peter placed on the ledge above the altar in the Grotto of Saint Peter, which was believed to be the first church in Antioch of Syria where the early church gathered to commission Paul and Barnabas on their first journey.

All these qualities of Antioch help explain why the early church found a home there and why this city became the starting gate for the travels of Paul. As persecution filled the streets of Jerusalem and Jewish believers in Jesus scattered from that city, some traveled to Antioch. The city was also appealing because it had a large Jewish population27 and because it was a city with an established record of tolerance to new information. Luke says that those from Jerusalem spoke only to other Jews, while some men from Cyprus and Cyrene spoke openly about Jesus to the Gentiles. The result was that many submitted to the Messiah Jesus in Antioch of Syria (Acts 11:19–26).

This city in which the Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus were first called Christians (Acts 11:26) became the starting point for each of Paul’s three journeys. The core group of the church at Antioch of Syria was composed of believers who were so passionate about their faith that they chose to flee their homes in Jerusalem rather than surrender their commitment to Jesus. Furthermore, this nucleus and those who came to the Lord around them benefited from strong leadership. Luke makes special mention of this fact: “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen . . . and Saul” (Acts 13:1). Barnabas and Saul, two influential teachers in the city, taught together in Antioch for one year (Acts 11:25–26).

Paul departed from Antioch of Syria on his first journey for a reason. Antioch was a huge city with a large Jewish population, a city uniquely placed as a transportation hub and a city that celebrated the open exchange of ideas and experiences. The church in Antioch was aptly suited to become the hub for outreach efforts in Asia and Europe. Consequently, the sea-lanes and roadways that radiated from Antioch of Syria became lifelines through which the Good News of Jesus traveled.

Antioch of Syria

Paul’s first missionary journey

The Orontes River, running through Antioch of Syria.

Seleucia Pierea harbor.