Page 55 - AlNashra issue 2 - 2023

The Foundation of the Apostolic Greek–Orthodox
Church of Antioch:

Unveiling a Major Turning Point in the
Gospel’s Path from Jews to Gentiles

Archimandrite Prof. Jack Khalil*

An in-depth analysis of the specifics surrounding In Acts 11:20, the evangelist Luke meticulously

Barnabas and Saul as apostles from the beginning recorded Antioch’s pivotal role as the birthplace

of the Acts of the Apostles could yield insightful of Christianity’s expansion to embrace the

information. This investigation would shed light Gentiles, assimilating them as integral members

on their approach to preaching to the Gentiles of the Church. A momentous shift took place

during their initial journey. The author of Acts, after the Church in Jerusalem faced intense

Evangelist Luke, introduces us to Joseph, known persecution following the killing of Stephen

among the apostles as Barnabas (Acts 4:36- (Acts 8:1). As a result, all disciples, with the

37). Following the account of Saul of Tarsus’s exception of the apostles, were dispersed to

conversion in Acts 9, Luke promptly furnishes other cities. Acts 8:4 states, “Those who had

crucial information that elucidates Barnabas’ been scattered preached the word wherever

association with Saul. When the latter came to they went” (NIV). Acts 11:19-20 revisits the

Jerusalem “he tried to join the disciples, but missionary activity of these scattered disciples,

they were all afraid of him, not believing that stating that they “traveled as far as Phoenicia,

he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only

and brought him to the apostles. He told them among Jews” (Acts 11:19 NIV). The phrase εἰ
how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and μὴ μόvον (only among) in verse 19 sets the
that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in stage for the following broadening of the Gospel’s

Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the audience in verse 20, where the conjunction καὶ

name of Jesus”. (Act 9:26-27 NIV) is emphasized to indicate reaching “even to the

* Dean of the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology - University of Balamand, and ALNASHRA
Chief Editor.

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