Monday, October 21, 2025

            Acts 11 speaks about the church in Antioch.  This city, located in Syria, was the third largest city in the Roman Empire—surpassed only by Rome and Alexandria.  It was an important center or hub of activity in the early days of the Church—fueling the expansion of missions and church planting so the gospel could march forward.  Not long after Stephen was killed as the first martyr, believers scattered to Antioch and shared the news of Jesus among Jews (Acts 11:29).  There is a significant claim to fame that we find in Antioch.  Acts 11:26 says that followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians at Antioch.  It is amazingly ironic to note that the very man who was the cause of the persecutions unleashed against the early Church that led many believers to seek refuge in Antioch went to Antioch for a whole year with Barnabas—that man was Saul who became known as Paul. Acts 11:21 has this to say about the rise of the Church in Antioch, “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”
            The title “Christians” given to the early believers in Antioch was likely a mocking and derisive term at first—suggesting or implying “little followers of Christ.”  It would have been a diminutive attempt to label and make fun of Christians.  Today, followers of Jesus cherish the name and give thanks that we can wear the label of Christ upon our lives.  It would take a long time for this name to make the change from an insult to a form of identification.  It was not overnight.  A Christian today has a resolute and unshakeable faith in the sufficiency of Christ in and for all things.  A Christian seeks to walk in the steps of Jesus and to replicate the ways and life of Jesus here and now.  Acts 11 shares the moving story of the Christians at Antioch leading others to repent, to respond to the gospel and to serve others.  They created, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the very kind of church most of us would enjoy calling our church home.
            The church at Antioch was the launching site for several missionary journeys (Acts 13, 14, 15, and 18). Antioch became something like a home base for Paul's missionary work and journeys.  It was the location from which he and others departed to spread the gospel message about Jesus to towns and places across the Roman world. We might think of Antioch as a resource church—a place uniquely blessed by God to serve His purposes. 
            All of this history in Antioch encourages us to think about five realities in our lives.  First, we consider if we know Christ in a real and saving way.  Can we confidently carry the name of Christ today?  Do we know and walk with Him.  Second, what can we do for Christ? How has God blessed and positioned us to serve Him.  We all have ways we can honor the Lord with our service.  We can do anything necessary to make heaven crowded.  Third, we want to live in influential ways.  We want to make an impression for Christ in our days and times.  We have one life that we can use to serve and honor the Lord.  Let’s use it well. Fourth, how can we bless and resource others who share the gospel?  We can pray for them.  We can give to them.  We can support missionaries and ministries that carry the gospel to unreached places. We can partner together as the opportunities arise.  And fifth, a city like Antioch reminds us that God can often rename and repurpose a city, a church, a life or a gathering of believers.  We may think we are weak, out of strength or incapable of serving the Lord.  But God has the last word.  And God can change and transform people for His great glory.  The world could use the influence of Antioch Christians today.  May we be like them!  Have a great Monday!