ANTIOCH, THE FIRST GENTILE CHURCH
Acts 11:1-30
Key Verse 11:26c “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
1. Why did the circumcised believers criticize Peter? (1-3) How did Peter explain his actions? (4-17) How did the Jerusalem Christians respond? (18)
2. What was different about the work of God in Antioch? [Antioch was the third largest city at that time after Rome and Alexandria.] What is the significance of some people preaching the gospel to Greeks? (19-21)
3. Who was Barnabas? (4:36-37; 9:27) Why did he go to Antioch? (22-24) How did he build up the church there?
4. Why did Barnabas go to get Saul? (25-26) How did Barnabas and Saul strengthen the church in Antioch? Why were they called “Christians”? (cf. 1 Peter 4:16; [“Christian” was used as a derogatory term.])
5. What crisis took place throughout the Roman Empire? (28) What did the disciples in Antioch do? (29-30; cf. Acts 20:35) In what ways was the Antioch church well-fitted to be the center for world mission?