Antioch

(1.) In Syria, on the river Orontes, about 16 miles from the Mediterranean, and some 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It was the metropolis of Syria, and afterwards became the capital of the Roman province in Asia. It ranked third, after Rome and Alexandria, in point of importance, of the cities of the Roman empire. It was called the “first city of the East.” Christianity was early introduced into it (Acts 11:19, 21, 24), and the name “Christian” was first applied here to its professors (Acts 11:26). It is intimately connected with the early history of the gospel (Acts 6:5; 11:19, 27, 28, 30; 12:25; 15:22-35; Gal. 2:11, 12). It was the great central point whence missionaries to the Gentiles were sent forth. It was the birth-place of the famous Christian father Chrysostom, who died A.D. 407. It bears the modern name of Antakia, and is now a miserable, decaying Turkish town. Like Philippi, it was raised to the rank of a Roman colony. Such colonies were ruled by “praetors” (R.V. marg., Acts 16:20, 21). (2.) In the extreme north of Pisidia; was visited by Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:14). Here they found a synagogue and many proselytes. They met with great success in preaching the gospel, but the Jews stirred up a violent opposition against them, and they were obliged to leave the place. On his return, Paul again visited Antioch for the purpose of confirming the disciples (Acts 14:21). It has been identified with the modern Yalobatch, lying to the east of Ephesus.

(from Antiochus)-

AN'TIOCH (from Antiochus), the name of two cities in New Testament times. Antioch in Syria, founded by Seleucus Nicator, about 300 b. c., and enlarged and newly walled by Antiochus Epiphanes. Coin of Antiochus Epiphanes. Situation. — This city was about 300 miles north of Jerusalem, on the left bank of the river Orontes, 16 1/2 miles from the Mediterranean, in a deep pass between the Lebanon and the Taurus ranges of mountains. It was sometimes called "the gate of the East," being on the highway from the countries on the Mediterranean to Mesopotamia and Arabia. Biblical History. — Next to Jerusalem, no city is of greater interest or importance in apostolic history than Antioch in Syria. At this place the disciples were first called Christians, Acts 11:26; it was an important centre for the spread of the gospel, Acts 13; from it Paul started on his missionary journeys, Acts 15:36; Acts 18:23; important principles of Christian faith and practice were raised and settled through the church at Antioch, Acts 14:26, Acts 14:27; Acts 15:2-30; Gal 2:11-14. It was made a "free" city by Pompey, was beautified by the; emperors with aqueducts, baths, and public buildings; and in Paul's time it ranked third in population, wealth. and commercial activity among the cities of the Roman empire. Christianity gained such strength there, that in the time of Chrysostom, who was born at Antioch, one-half of the 200, 000 inhabitants of the city were Christians. Antioch in Syria. (After Cassas. From Lewin's "Life of St. Paul") Present Condition. — Antioch has been besieged and plundered 15 times, and 7 times destroyed by earthquakes, yet the remains of its ancient walls astonish the traveller. They were 50 feet high and 15 feet thick. The old town, which was 5 miles long, is now represented by a mean, shrunken-looking place of about 6000 population, called Antakieh. An earthquake in 1872 overthrew nearly one half of the houses; since then almost a new town has sprung up, and near by is a silk-factory, and on the river water-wheels for irrigating the gardens. Through the Lake of Antioch flows the Nahr el-Aswad, or " black brook," the Melanes of classic history, which empties into the Orontes 3 or 4 miles above Antioch. Though the modern city is on a beautiful and exceedingly fertile plain between the mountains, and watered by the Orontes, the interior of the town appears to consist "of dreary heaps of ruins, and unsightly, patched, and dilapidated houses, interspersed with rubbish and garbage." (See Baedeker's Palestine and Syria, p. 578.) Antioch in or near Pisidia was also founded or rebuilt by Seleucus Nicator. It was situated on a ridge — Strabo calls it a "height" — near the foot of the mountain-range, and by the northern shore of Lake Eyerdie. Paul preached there, Acts 13:14; Acts 14:21, and was persecuted by the people, 2 Tim 3:11. It was formerly erroneously located at Ak-aber, but has lately been identified with Yalabatch, directly east of Ephesus and northwest of ancient Tarsus. Ruins of walls, theatres, and churches still exist there.

speedy as a chariot

AN'TIOCH (from Antiochus), the name of two cities in New Testament times. Coin of Antiochus Epiphanes. Situation. — This city was about 300 miles north of Jerusalem, on the left bank of the river Orontes, 16 1/2 miles from the Mediterranean, in a deep pass between the Lebanon and the Taurus ranges of mountains. It was sometimes called "the gate of the East," being on the highway from the countries on the Mediterranean to Mesopotamia and Arabia. Biblical History. — Next to Jerusalem, no city is of greater interest or importance in apostolic history than Antioch in Syria. At this place the disciples were first called Christians, Acts 11:26; it was an important centre for the spread of the gospel, Acts 13; from it Paul started on his missionary journeys, Acts 15:36; Acts 18:23; important principles of Christian faith and practice were raised and settled

through the church at Antioch, Acts 14:26, Acts 14:27; Acts 15:2-30; Gal 2:11-14. It was made a "free" city by Pompey, was beautified by the; emperors with aqueducts, baths, and public buildings; and in Paul's time it ranked third in population, wealth. and commercial activity among the cities of the Roman empire. Christianity gained such strength there, that in the time of Chrysostom, who was born at Antioch, one-half of the 200, 000 inhabitants of the city were Christians. Antioch in Syria. (After Cassas. From Lewin's "Life of St. Paul") Present Condition. — Antioch has been besieged and plundered 15 times, and 7 times destroyed by earthquakes, yet the remains of its ancient walls astonish the traveller. They were 50 feet high and 15 feet thick. The old town, which was 5 miles long, is now represented by a mean, shrunken-looking place of about 6000 population, called Antakieh. An earthquake in 1872 overthrew nearly one half of the houses; since then almost a new town has sprung up, and near by is a silk-factory, and on the river water-wheels for irrigating the gardens. Through the Lake of Antioch flows the Nahr el-Aswad, or " black brook," the Melanes of classic history, which empties into the Orontes 3 or 4 miles above Antioch. Though the modern city is on a beautiful and exceedingly fertile plain between the mountains, and watered by the Orontes, the interior of the town appears to consist "of dreary heaps of ruins, and unsightly, patched, and dilapidated houses, interspersed with rubbish and garbage." (See Baedeker's Palestine and Syria, p. 578.)