安提阿是罗马叙利亚省的首府，也是基督教最早与希腊和罗马世界接触的地方。安提阿位于奥朗提斯河畔，距离地中海15英里。从耶路撒冷开始，基督教沿着主要的陆地和海上路线传播。主要的传教中心是叙利亚的安提阿，亚洲的以弗所，马其顿的帖撒罗尼迦和亚该亚的哥林多。在罗马和亚历山大之后，安提阿是罗马帝国第三重要的城市。

• 安提阿是叙利亚的大都市，毫无疑问，在罗马帝国统治下的可居住的地球上，无论是在规模上还是在其他繁荣的标志上，安提阿都值得拥有第三个城市的地位。（约瑟夫，《战争》3.2.4）

安提阿的繁荣来自于它的政治地位，它位于一条重要的贸易和通讯公路上，以及它所生产的产品。后者包括皮鞋、香水、香料、纺织品、书籍和珠宝。海上贸易通过安提阿在地中海的港口塞琉西亚进行。沙漠贸易通过安提阿进行。东边是幼发拉底河和帕提亚；往南是大马士革、推罗、庇里都（贝鲁特）、犹太和通往埃及的大路（马里斯路）；西北是小亚细亚各省；西面是希腊和意大利。正如约瑟夫斯所描述的那样，公元一世纪的安提阿有大量的犹太人：

• 因为犹太民族广泛地分散在所有可居住的地球上的居民中，因此，由于它的邻居，它与叙利亚非常混杂，并且在安提阿拥有最大的人口，因为城市很大，在安提阿之后的国王们给了他们一个最不受干扰的宁静的住所。(约瑟夫战争7.3.3)

约瑟夫斯还写道，犹太人“永久地使许多希腊人改宗，因此，在某种程度上，使他们成为自己身体的一部分”。司提反被石头砸死后逃离耶路撒冷的基督徒犹太人是第一个向安提阿的犹太人传福音的人。

• 那些因司提反的事遭逼迫四散的门徒，直走到腓尼基，塞浦路斯，安提阿，只对犹太人讲道。(使徒行传11章19节)

有些犹太人起初逃到塞浦路斯和古利奈，后来到了安提阿，在那里“也对希利尼人讲论，传主耶稣”（使徒行传11:20-21）。在收到安提阿工作成功的消息后，耶路撒冷教会的领袖们派了一个使者到安提阿“去调查这个新会众，并判断它的价值；巴拿巴被拣选、是因为巴拿巴是个好人、被圣灵充满、大有信心。有许多人归服主”（徒十一：23-24）。巴拿巴想起他先前与大数人扫罗的经历，又知道扫罗的才干和背景很适合在安提阿传福音，就往大数去，把扫罗带回安提阿。

• 整整一年，他们在教会里聚会，教导了一大群人。在安提阿，门徒第一次被称为基督徒（使徒行传11:24-26）。

保罗可能在公元43年到达安提阿。经过一年的福音宣讲，安提阿成为他传教活动的中心(见使徒行传13:1-3；14:26;15:35-36;十八22 - 23)。“除了耶路撒冷，”梅茨格写道，“叙利亚的安提阿在早期教会的生活和财富中扮演的角色比希腊罗马帝国的任何一个城市都要大。”8同样，拉姆齐写道：

• 随着巴拿巴和扫罗的到来，[安提阿]的历史进入了一个新的阶段。它成为进步的中心和教会的历史兴趣。

安提阿以道德放荡而闻名。它的公民致力于“奢侈、安逸和放荡的享乐”。在基督教到来之前，这座城市发生了两次地震，这可能有助于人们准备好接受保罗的信息。一次是在臭名昭著的卡利古拉统治时期（公元37年至41年），另一次是在克劳狄统治时期（公元41年至54年）。灾难有一种软化人心的方式来听神的话，提醒他们“离开鼻孔里有气息的人”（以赛亚书2:22）。

• 凡有血气的都是草，他的荣美都像野地的花。草必枯干，花必凋残，因为耶和华的气吹在其上；人当然是草。草必枯干，花必凋谢；惟有我们神的话，必永远立定。（赛四十：6-8）

Bible Study (安提阿)

Acts 6:5. Nicolas of 安提阿 was one of seven chosen to distribute food to widows. “All Church work requires to be performed in the power of the Spirit, and not least the management of charity and finance” (Dummelow, p. 825).
Acts 11:19-27. Persecution led to the foundation in 安提阿 of the first great Gentile church. After word reached Jerusalem that “the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord,” Church leaders sent Barnabas to 安提阿, who “exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.”
Acts 11:27-30; 12:25. One of the prophets who came to 安提阿, named Agabus, warned of a great famine. Thus, certain disciples hearkened to his message and sent relief to Judea “to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”
Acts 11:26. 安提阿 was the birthplace of the name Christian: “And the disciples were called Christians first in 安提阿.”
Acts 13:2; 14:26; 15:25-41; 18:22-23. 安提阿 was the center of Paul’s missionary labors in Syria. Christianity in Syria, Asia Minor, and Greece spread along the trade routes to the great commercial centers of the day.
Acts 15:1-21; Gal. 2:11-21. Dissension over circumcision arose at 安提阿. The issue was decided in Jerusalem by the apostles.

Acts 11
  1: And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 
2: And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 
3: Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 
4: But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 
5: I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 
6: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 
7: And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 
8: But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 
9: But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 
10: And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 
11: And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 
12: And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 
13: And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 
14: Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 
15: And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 
16: Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 
17: Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 
18: When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 
19: Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and 安提阿, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 
20: And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to 安提阿, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 
21: And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 
22: Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as 安提阿. 
23: Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 
24: For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 
25: Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 
26: And when he had found him, he brought him unto 安提阿. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in 安提阿. 
27: And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto 安提阿. 
28: And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 
29: Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 
30: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. 

Acts 13:1-2 
1: Now there were in the church that was at 安提阿 certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 
2: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 

Acts 14:21-28
21: And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and 安提阿, 
22: Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 
23: And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 
24: And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 
25: And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 
26: And thence sailed to 安提阿, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 
27: And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 
28: And there they abode long time with the disciples. 

Acts 15:22-35
22: Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to 安提阿 with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 
23: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in 安提阿 and Syria and Cilicia: 
24: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 
25: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 
26: Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
27: We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 
28: For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 
29: That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 
30: So when they were dismissed, they came to 安提阿: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 
31: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 
32: And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. 
33: And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. 
34: Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. 
35: Paul also and Barnabas continued in 安提阿, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 

Acts 18:22-23
22: And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to 安提阿. 
23: And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. 
24: And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 
25: This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 
26: And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 
27: And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 
28: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. 

Galatians 2
1: Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 
2: And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 
3: But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 
4: And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 
5: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 
6: But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 
7: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 
8: (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 
9: And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 
10: Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 
11: But when Peter was come to 安提阿, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 
12: For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 
13: And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 
14: But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 
15: We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 
16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 
17: But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 
18: For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 
19: For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 
20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 
21: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.