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The Church in Antioch of Syria
Christians work together in building the Lord's church and causing it to grow and prosper in those things for which it was established. But in doing this work we are expected to follow the Lord's pattern. We are not involved in building some religious order. Our concern is for Christ, His church, and the salvation of souls. This church was established on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Scriptures this church is revealed to us. We read of many congregations, their successes, problems, setbacks and history. We can learn and profit from what is told about them. Our lesson is intended to call attention to five characteristics of the church in Antioch of Syria, not only because of our interest in that church and the early church generally, but to learn more of that by which we are to be guided today in promoting the cause of Christ.
By the Word
The church was established by the preaching of the Word. Acts 11:19-21, "Now when they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." When the gospel is preached, heard, believed and obeyed, nothing is produced except the church of Christ. People went forward "preaching the word... preaching the Lord Jesus."
Great numbers heard, believed and obeyed. "Much people was added unto the Lord." (Verse 24). Preaching the Word of God never produces denominations, but only the Lord's church. Secular history informs us that possibly as many as five to ten thousand people became members of the church. This was the church where Paul and Barnabas worked together for a whole year (Verse 26). This was the place where "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Verse 26). This was a congregation that included both Jews and Gentiles (Verses 19, 20). This was a notable New Testament church.
Benevolence
The church was a benevolent minded church. Acts 11:27-30, "And in those days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth throughout all the world; which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar, Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea, which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."
When it was learned that Jewish brethren were in physical need, Antioch, which had received spiritual help from Judea, now had opportunity to return the favor. Each one gave as they could, and Paul and Barnabas took what was given to the elders of Jerusalem who obviously took the oversight of its distribution.
For a church today to be like this first century church there must be the attitude and action of benevolence toward the needy. So often this phase of the work of the church is neglected. Realizing that it is not the primary thrust of the work of the church, it is nonetheless an important manifestation of the spirit of Christ to do good. "As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10). I John 3:17, 18, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." It is most unfortunate that some have created grave problems for the church over how benevolent work is to be done. They have divided churches, making laws where God has made none, and imposing their self-made restrictions and demanding everyone conform to their opinion. God has commanded certain work to be done. Sometimes He has also commanded how the work is to be done. When that is the case both the work and the method are binding upon us. But when God has commanded a work but has not specified how it is to be done, then we are at liberty to exercise our own judgment in methods used. There is room for opinions, and none should be so contentious about their own opinion that they would create strife among brethren over it. Much benevolent work demands the exercise of human judgment as we must do the best we can. The eldership of the local congregation has the duty and authority to decide what is best for that congregation. Unless the church is practicing "pure and undefiled religion" (James 1:27), how can it be pleasing to God? There are several methods for doing this, but the fact remains that it must be done.
Preached the Word
The Antioch church was also mission minded, by which we mean they were concerned about sending the gospel around the world to the lost. Acts 14:25-27, "And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia, and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God has done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they abode long time with the disciples."
No church can fulfill its purpose for existence without working to spread the gospel message. This is the primary work of the church. It is to be regretted that many congregations today do not do this phase of the work as extensively as they are capable because they have sidetracked themselves into recreation, secular education, social activities, playground provisions, and other irrelevant matters. One main reason for having a strong local church is so that church can and will take the gospel elsewhere, near and far. Churches that "keep house" or major in minors, providing trivia, have missed the mark. There is no separation from evangelizing the world and preaching the gospel. Antioch was once a mission field with no church. Preaching brought it into existence. Winning lost souls became the purpose for its existence. I Timothy 3:15, "...which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." The church is not simply for association, as some kind of club, but we have been saved to save. For churches to involve themselves in unauthorized activities and simply cater to the satisfaction of their own happiness and "good times" is to display a lack of concern and misunderstanding of the reason the Lord Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood by which the church was purchased.
Building Itself
Antioch was a church that was concerned for itself with emphasis on teaching and edification of itself, building itself in knowledge and spiritual strength. Becoming a Christian is essential but it is just the beginning. Being a Christian must follow thereafter. Faithfulness is required of the child of God. The church that does not grow spiritually in grace and knowledge of Christ (I Peter 3:18) will soon be lost to the cause of Christ. Antioch had an impressive number of teachers. They were not a mere "staff to provide fun and games for the members as we so often see today. Acts 13:1, "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon, that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Minion, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." Acts 15:35, "Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also." There was no such thing as a clergy-laity in Antioch. They did not have the professional staff. Every Christian was a servant of Christ and busied themselves to teach others and one another. The religion of Christ is a taught religion (John 6:44,45) and the church is an educational institution to teach the will of the Lord. Any church neglecting its teaching program invites weakness, which is a forerunner to digression and apostasy. Nobody can lead a church astray where its members know the will of the Lord. Somewhere along the line of history Antioch fell away and no church exists there today that is faithful to God and patterned after the New Testament church. The failure of edification is at the root of such tragedies. Churches grow strong and remain strong by good strong and diligent teaching. I Thessalonians 5:11, "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." Every member should lend his support to every effort made in this realm of the work of the church.
Opposing Error
The Antioch church was determined to stand for the truth. They were zealous for and jealous of the truth. Error was not tolerated to pollute the congregation, at least at this time. Problems arose in the church due to false teaching from some who came from Jerusalem who taught that it was necessary to continue to obey certain commands peculiar to the law of Moses (Acts 15:1). This caused no small stir when Paul and others withstood these teachers. Galatians 2 shows how even Peter and Barnabas were carried away temporarily with such teaching. Knowing that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (I Corinthians 5:6), Paul would not surrender the truth and the church did not shy away from facing the issue until the proper solution was reached. They could have said, as some do even today when problems arise, "Leave it alone and it will go away. We don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. Let's keep the peace and create no strife." But they loved the Lord, His church, the truth, the lost and saved enough to realize that error does not just "go away." They wanted peace but not at the price of compromising truth. They knew that peace and unity can only be enjoyed when truth is upheld among faithful brethren. It is to the credit of the church in Antioch that they met the problems and defeated them with a hearty application of the truth. So must we do today.
In summary, the five great qualities of the church in Antioch were: (1) It was founded by the preaching of the gospel; (2) It was benevolent minded; (3) It was busy spreading the gospel elsewhere; (4) It was strong through edifying itself; (5) It withstood error and stood for the truth. Here is a Biblical demonstration of what a local church should be and do. This is the goal and continued purpose for every local congregation. God wants it that way and we must work earnestly that it be that way. By doing so, God will be glorified, souls will be saved, including our own.