The term "Antiochians" generally refers to the early Christian community and believers associated with the city of Antioch, an ancient city located in what is now modern-day Turkey. Antioch played a significant role in the spread of Christianity and is frequently mentioned in the New Testament as a center of early Christian activity.

Historical and Biblical Context

Antioch was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire and served as a major hub for trade and cultural exchange. It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26: "And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians"). This designation marked a significant development in the identity of the early Church, distinguishing believers in Christ from other Jewish sects.

The Church at Antioch

The church in Antioch was established by believers who had been scattered due to persecution following the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 11:19). These believers preached the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, leading to a diverse and vibrant Christian community. The church at Antioch became a model of unity and mission, characterized by its commitment to teaching, prophecy, and charity.

Barnabas, a prominent leader in the early Church, was sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch to encourage the new believers. Recognizing the need for further teaching, Barnabas brought Saul (Paul) to Antioch, where they taught together for a year (Acts 11:25-26). This partnership was instrumental in the development of Paul's ministry and the spread of the gospel to the Gentile world.

Missionary Activity

Antioch served as the launching point for Paul's missionary journeys. The church, guided by the Holy Spirit, set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work to which they were called (Acts 13:2-3). This commissioning marked the beginning of the first missionary journey, during which the gospel was spread throughout Asia Minor and beyond.

The Antiochian church's commitment to missions and evangelism is further evidenced by its response to the prophecy of Agabus, who predicted a severe famine. The believers in Antioch collected aid for the church in Judea, demonstrating their solidarity and generosity (Acts 11:27-30).

Theological Significance

The Antiochian church played a crucial role in the early theological development of Christianity. It was a place where Jewish and Gentile believers worshiped together, challenging the early Church to address issues of cultural and religious identity. The Council of Jerusalem, recorded in Acts 15, was convened in part due to the experiences of the Antiochian church, as it grappled with questions regarding the inclusion of Gentile believers and the requirements of the Mosaic Law.

Legacy

The legacy of the Antiochians is evident in their commitment to the Great Commission, their role in the early spread of Christianity, and their influence on the theological and cultural development of the Church. The Antiochian model of a diverse, mission-oriented community continues to inspire Christian communities today.ANTIOCHIANS

an-ti-o'-ki-ans (Antiocheis, peculiar to the Apocrypha, 2 Maccabees 4:9, 19): Antiochus Epiphanes was on the throne of Syria from 175 to 164 B.C. His determined policy was to Hellenize his entire kingdom. The greatest obstacle to his ambition was the fidelity of the Jews to their historic religion. Many worldly Hebrews, however, for material advantage were willing to apostatize, among them, Jason, the brother of the faithful high priest Onias III. With a large sum of money (2 Maccabees 4:7-10) he bribed Antiochus to appoint him high priest in his brother's stead. This office, being, since Ezra's time, political as well as religious, made him virtually the head of the nation.

He promised, on condition the king would permit him to build a Greek gymnasium at Jerusalem, "to train up the youth of his race in the fashions of the heathen," and to enrol the Hellenized people as Antiochians, i.e. to give all Jews who would adopt Greek customs and the Greek religion the rights and privileges of citizens of Antioch. The granting of this request made Jason the head of the Greek party at Jerusalem. "Such was the height of Greek fashions, and the increase of heathenish manners" under his perverted high-priesthood, that the priests under him lost courage to "serve any more at the altar, but despising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened" to ally themselves with the Grecians.

When the sacrifice of Hercules was observed in connection with the Grecian games at Tyre "Jason sent special messengers from Jerusalem, who were Antiochians" (2 Maccabees 4:19) with a large contribution of money. This Hellenizing program was supported by a decree of Antiochus which enjoined uniformity of worship throughout his dominions. He forbade the further observance of Jewish festivals, Sabbath, sacrifices in the temple and the rite of circumcision. His ambition included the like subjugation of Egypt, but being thwarted in his expedition thither by Roman envoys, he returned to Jerusalem to vent his anger on the Jews who refused to deny the faith of their fathers. The persecutions inflicted by the king upon these devout Jews abounded in every atrocity. All sacred books of the law that could be found were burned. This attempt to Hellenize the Jews was pushed to every remote rural village of Palestine. The universal peril led the Samaritans, eager for safety, to repudiate all connection and kinship with the Jews. They sent ambassadors and an epistle asking to be recognized as belonging to the Greek party, and to have their temple on Mt. Gerizim named "The Temple of Jupiter Hellenius." The request was granted. This was evidently the final breach between the two races indicated in John 4:9, "For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans."

Among those who refused to be enrolled as Antiochians was Mattathias, an aged priest of the order of Joarib. Mourning the terrible profanation of the holy city and temple he retired with his five sons to his ancestral estates among the mountains Northwest of Jerusalem. The emissaries of Antiochus followed him thither and commanded him to offer sacrifices upon a heathen altar. He was promised special royal favor in case of obedience. The indignant priest not only "had no ear for the temptations of an abhorred Hellenism," but in his fury instantly slew the apostate priest who attempted to comply with the command. He killed also the king's commissioner and tore down the detested altar.

This act of heroism became the dawn of a new era. The people rallied to Mattathias' support. The rebellion grew in power. After a year of inspiring leadership "the venerable priest-captain" died, having first committed "the cause of the law" to his sons, henceforth called Maccabees, from Judas Maccabeus, the son to whom he committed his work. Their victorious career brought to an end the Hellenizing process and the Greek party to which the Antiochians belonged. See also ANTIOCHUS IV.

LITERATURE.

Ant, XII, v; Stanley, History of the Jewish Church, III, section 48; Riggs, History of the Jewish People, chapter ii, sections 15-26 (Kent's Hist. Series, IV).

Dwight M. Pratt

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Antiochians
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the Antiochians Ignatius. Table of Contents. Title Page. Introduction. ...
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Constantine's Letter to the Antiochians, Directing them not to ...
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to withdraw Eusebius from C??sarea, but to seek some one else. ...
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The Epistle of Ignatius to the Antiochians
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How Trypho after He had Beaten Demetrius Delivered the Kingdom to ...
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those Jews who were sent by Jonathan, and assaulted the Antiochians; but he ...
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Introduction
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Cautions against Error.
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The True Doctrine Respecting God and Christ.
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The Same Continued.
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Continuation.
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Denunciation of False Teachers.
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Antiochians
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANTIOCHIANS. an-ti-o'-ki-ans (Antiocheis,
peculiar to the Apocrypha, 2 Maccabees 4:9, 19): Antiochus ...
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Epiphanes
... the Sun in Elymais, in Persia. See also ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION; ANTIOCHIANS.
JE Harry. EPIPHANES. e-pif'-a-nez. See ANTIOCHUS IV. ...
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Antiochis

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Antioch (21 Occurrences)

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Antiochus
... Sun in Elymais, in Persia. See also ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION; ANTIOCHIANS.
JE Harry. ANTIOCHUS V. (Eupator, "Nobleborn"): Son and ...
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Galatia (6 Occurrences)
... If Paul spoke to Philippi or Corinth or Antioch singly, he addressed them as
Philippians, Corinthians, Antiochians (Philippians 4:15 2 Corinthians 6:11), not ...
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Hercules
... youth in Greek exercises, and by registering the inhabitants of Jerusalem as citizens
of Antioch (2 Maccabees 4:8). Certain of these Antiochians of Jerusalem ...
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Empire (8 Occurrences)
... sect. They were in mockery styled Christiani by the Antiochians (a name
which they at first resented), and Nazarenes by the Jews. ...
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Roman (26 Occurrences)
... sect. They were in mockery styled Christiani by the Antiochians (a name
which they at first resented), and Nazarenes by the Jews. ...
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