Bible Dictionary
ANTIOCH, IN SYRIA
Antioch in Syria was a major city on the Orontes and an important center of the Roman East. The church there became a leading base for Gentile Christianity and missionary work, and believers were first called Christians there.
Biblical Usage
Antioch became the cradle of Gentile Christianity and missionary enterprise. The church there supported Paul’s missionary journeys, participated in the decision concerning Gentile Christians and the Jewish law, and was the place where the disciples were first called Christians.