Page 58 - Acts Student Textbook

Study Section 12: Acts 11- The Establishment of the
Church at Antioch – 19:30

12. 1 Connect.

At this point, the gospel has spread throughout Samaria, Damascus, to Cornelius, and in
Antioch. This part of the chapter demonstrates to us that we are a church on a mission. And
our mission is Christ’s mission! Taking us on this ride as leading figures are Paul and
Barnabas. The barrier is completely broken. Let’s see how the church in Antioch was
established.

12. 2 Objectives.
1. The student should be able to describe how the church was established at Antioch.

2. The student should be able to analyze the significance of Antioch in the development of
the spread of the gospel.

3. The student should be able to discuss how those who ran away from the persecution preached
the Gospel.

4. The student should be able to seek to discover who established the church at Antioch.

5. The student should be able to explain how Luke views Jesus’ deity.

6. The student should be able to expalin the anthropomorphic language used by Luke (11:21).

7. The student should be able to discuss the primary role of the Prophets in the NT.

8. The student should be able to describe the life of Barnabas.

9. The student should be able to explain how the term Christians came about.

12. 3- Acts 11: Establishment of the Church at Antioch – 19:30

The content in these verses seem to be a historical flashback and a theological summary
(11:19-30). They connect to 8:4. Chap. 11 and12 describe a transition period in which events
set the stage for the last part of Jesus’ prediction. The conversion of Gentiles (Cornelius) was
necessary to make this last step possible. The gospel comes to Antioch (11:19-30), and
response among the Greeks is overwhelming (11:19-21)!

How significant was Antioch?

Antioch was the third largest city of the Roman Empire after Rome and Alexandria. It was the capital
of Syria and it had a large Jewish population and contained over 200,000 inhabitants. It was well
known for its university life and its sexual immorality. It was also famous worldwide for its chariot
racing. Its location makes it a better major center of Christian missionaries!
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32 Uttly, (11:19).
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