Fbco Sunday Sermons

In this chapter we are introduced to one of the most important cities in Christian history. Antioch will become home to one of the strongest Gentile churches and will be the base from which the first missionaries are sent out to the Roman world. Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire. Its main street was paved with marble and was four miles long. It was also considered the second most wicked city in the Empire, second only to Corinth. Like Corinth, its main pagan god was a female, Daphne, who was worshipped through the use of Temple prostitutes. The contrast between the lives of the new Christians and the residents of Antioch gave rise to a brand-new name for followers of Christ: “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (11:26). “Christian” was actually a derisive name. It means “little Christs.” But what was intended as an insult is actually quite a compliment. I would be honored if someone said I reminded him of Jesus! There is a new move today to avoid the word “Christian