The Lord’s Church Isa. 2:2-3: “And it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go for the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

On the Day of Pentecost: The Word went forth from Jerusalem. Repentance and remission of sins was first preached His name, Lk. 24:46-47; Acts 2:38 “The Lord’s house” came into existence, Isaiah 2:2; I Tim. 3:15. The Lord’s house got off to a great start, Acts 2:41. It grew rapidly! Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1.

But Opposition Arose! Acts 4:18-19: forbidden to speak in His name! Acts 5:17-18, Apostles put in prison! Acts 5:27-29, “not teach in this name.” Acts 5:40-41, The apostles “beaten!” Acts 7:54,58, “gnashed on him with their teeth,” “stoned him.” Acts 8:1, “great persecution against the church.”

But Persecution did not Destroy the Religion of Christ! Acts 8:4: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word!” Acts 11:19: “..traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyrus, and Antioch, preaching the word.” Acts 11:20: “And some of them were men of Cyrus and Cyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:21: “And the hand of the Lord was with them…

Observations about Antioch: Apart from Jerusalem itself, no other city was so intimately connected with the beginning of Christianity. From Antioch Paul departed on three “missionary” journeys; he returned to Antioch at the conclusion of two of those journeys. Antioch became “the base of operations” for Paul’s evangelistic efforts.

The City of Antioch

The City of Antioch As Viewed Today:

More Information Concerning Antioch: Located on the River Orontes, about 16 miles from the Mediterranean, about 300 miles north of Jerusalem. “Antioch of Syria” not located in modern Syria, but in neighboring Turkey; its modern name is not Antioch, but Antakya. Composed of both Jews and Gentiles. Population of over 300,000, the metropolis of Syria, later the capital of the Roman province of Asia; ranked 3 rd in importance.

The Lord’s Church at Antioch Consisted of: Jews and Greeks, Acts 11:19-20; Rom. 1:16. People who heard the word – people went there “preaching..the Lord Jesus.” cf. Acts 8:5, People who “believed and turned to the Lord,” Acts 11:21. –Faith resulted from the preaching, Rom. 10:17. –They “believed and turned!” Something in addition to faith was present. –They turned from sin; they turned to the Lord!

Comparing Verses: Acts 11:21: “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” Acts 3:19: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 2:38: “…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Observations from these Verses: Acts 3:19: “Be converted” (KJV) stands in the same place as “be baptized” in Acts 2:38. Acts 11:21: “And turned” stands in the same place as “be converted” in Acts 3:19, which stands in the same place as “be baptized” in Acts 2:38!

The Lord’s Church at Antioch Consisted of: People Who had been recipients of “the grace of God,” Acts 11:23. cf. Acts 20:24. People who were exhorted to “cleave unto the Lord,” Acts 11:23. People Who “Assembled,” Acts 11:26. People who were “ disciples,” Acts 11:26. –From mathetes, “denotes one who follows one’s teaching,” Vine. Cf. John 8:31. –“A disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher,” Vine. Cf. Luke 6:40; 14:26,33.

The Lord’s Church at Antioch Consisted of people “Called Christians!” “Called” (chrematizo), “to be called of God,” it denotes a divine calling.” cf. Rom. 7:3 Isaiah 62:2: “…thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” “Christian,” the only name followers of Christ were called that was a new name. “Brethren,” “children of God,” “sons of God,” “disciples,” “saints,” etc. can all be found in the Old Testament!

The Lord’s Church at Antioch Consisted of: People who practiced Benevolence: “every man, according to his ability, determined to send relief,” Acts 11: People who believed in Evangelism, Acts 13:1-3. People who were exposed to error, and had to make a stand, Acts 15:1-3!

Lessons to be Learned: Persecution need not be a cause for the church not growing. –Note Acts 8:4. Were it not for persecution, the church at Antioch might have never been established! False doctrine must be dealt with immediately, Acts 15:1-3.

Lesson: A Local Church Can Be a Growing Church If: Enough people share the word of God! God’s servants are fellow workers; they are not competitors. If has more people like Barnabas. He knew how to encourage people. Acts 4:36. It deals with problems as they arise, Acts 15:1-3!

A Sobering Fact: The Fact that a local church is “sound” today is no guarantee that it will always be sound. Antioch, in the course of time, became involved in the apostasy that led to Catholicism! Much of that region today is occupied by those who have embraced Islam! To my knowledge there is not a sound local church in that region now!

Conclusion: At Seffner, let us all resolve to follow the pattern of faithful Christians at Antioch of Syria! For all non-Christians present, this begins with you becoming Christians! This occurs when one obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have you obeyed the gospel exactly as it is revealed in the N.T.?