Antioch on the Orontes
The Syrian city where believers were first called Christians and Paul’s journeys began.
Region
- Syria (Roman province)Roman provinceinferred
Verses and notes
Acts names Antioch together with Syria. That it was the capital of the Roman province of Syria comes from Roman history, not from a verse.
Verses: Acts 15:23; Acts 18:22
What the sources say, and how sure we are
- The text says
Gentiles come to faith in Antioch, where the disciples are first called Christians. The church sends out Paul and Barnabas, and later Peter and Paul disagree there about eating with Gentiles.Acts 11:20–26; Acts 13:1–3; Gal 2:11–14
- Outside evidence
Antioch was the third largest city of the Roman Empire. Ignatius, its bishop about AD 110, wrote letters on his way to martyrdom in Rome.Ignatius, Letters
- Outside evidence
Antioch on the Orontes (now Antakya, Turkey) was the capital of the Roman province of Syria.Acts 15:23; Gal 1:21
- Debated
Scholars debate whether “Christian” was first a name used by outsiders or by believers, and when the dispute with Peter in Galatians 2 took place relative to the Jerusalem council.Acts 11:26; Gal 2:11–14; Acts 15