Yes, Antioch is significant because it was the starting point for Paul's missions to the Gentiles and the first place believers were called Christians.
According to Les Feldick, Antioch, not Jerusalem, became the launching point for the Gospel to the Gentiles. It was there that Gentile believers were first called Christians, and from there Paul began his missionary journeys into the Gentile world. This transition marked a shift from God's dealings primarily with Israel to reaching the Gentiles.
Acts 11:26 — This verse directly states that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
The Bible records that after the persecution of the church in Jerusalem, believers scattered, and some went to Antioch (Acts 11:19-21). There, they preached to Greeks, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. The church in Jerusalem heard of this and sent Barnabas to investigate. Barnabas then went to Tarsus to find Saul (Paul) and brought him to Antioch, where they taught for a whole year. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).
Les Feldick emphasizes that Antioch, not Jerusalem, was the starting point for Paul's missions to the Gentiles. He points out that Jewish believers who fled persecution went to Antioch, where God began to generate interest among Gentiles for the first time. Les highlights that Barnabas was sovereignly led to bring Saul to Antioch, and there Gentile Christianity began to flourish. He stresses that the Bible calls these Gentile believers "Christians" first in Antioch, never calling the Jewish believers at Jerusalem by that name. This marks a clear transition from Judaism to the new work of God among the Gentiles.
Les Feldick teaches that God deliberately kept Paul from contact with the twelve apostles after his conversion, sending him to Mount Sinai in Arabia to receive revelations directly from heaven. This was to prevent Paul from being influenced by the Jewish-focused message of the twelve. In Antioch, God began to generate interest among Gentiles for the first time, and it was there that Paul's Gospel, emphasizing Christ's death for sins and resurrection, was presented. This was a new direction, distinct from the Jewish believers' understanding, and it was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.
Les Feldick notes that Barnabas, led sovereignly by the Holy Spirit, went to Cilicia to find Saul and brought him back to Antioch. This was a purposeful act to get the right teacher for the Gentile believers. At Antioch, they assembled with the church for a whole year and taught many people, and it was there that the disciples were first called Christians.
God's Direct Revelation to Paul
Les explains that God deliberately kept Paul from the twelve apostles and revealed the gospel of grace to him directly, which was separate from Judaism yet an extension of it.
Gentile Interest First at Antioch
Les points out that for the first time, Gentiles in Antioch became interested in the God of Israel, marking a turning point in the transition from Judaism to reaching the Gentiles.
First Called Christians at Antioch
Les emphasizes that believers were first called Christians at Antioch, not at Jerusalem, and this occurred among Gentile believers.
Barnabas Brings Saul to Antioch
Les teaches that Barnabas recognized Saul as the one with the message for the Gentiles and brought him to Antioch, where they taught for a year and the disciples were first called Christians.
Is Baptism Required for Salvation? What Acts 8 Really Says
You see the Church today is headquartered not on earth, but where? In heaven. And even though Antioch was more or less the fountainhead of where the Gospel went out to the Gentiles from the Antioch congregation, yet the Scripture never places Antioch as the headquarters of the New Testament Church, nor is Jerusalem. There is no headquarters of the New Testament Church.
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Remember it was at Antioch that they were first called Christians. And when the Jewish believers down at Jerusalem got wind that Gentiles were being brought into a relationship with their God, they got all shook up, didn't they? And so they send men from Jerusalem all the way up to Antioch to check out and see if this is really true.
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And that went all the way to the western coast of Turkey where Ephesus, of course, was located. But in that area of Asia Minor is where Paul had his greatest work. And all the cities that you're acquainted with, Colossae and Ephesus and Pergamos and Thyatira, they were all in that same geographical area.
Antioch Presents Paul's Gospel
Les contrasts the Jewish believers at Jerusalem with the Christians at Antioch, explaining that the latter believed in Christ's death for their sins and resurrection, which was Paul's Gospel.
Acts 11:19-21: Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
This shows that Gentiles in Antioch began to believe, setting the stage for the church there.
Acts 11:22-24: Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
This reveals Jerusalem's response to the Gentile interest and Barnabas's role in confirming the work.
Acts 11:25-26: Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
This is the key verse that shows Antioch as the first place believers were called Christians.
Les Feldick teaches that God deliberately started Gentile Christianity at Antioch rather than Jerusalem to show a separation from Judaism. He kept Paul from the twelve apostles and gave him direct revelations, and in Antioch, Gentiles began to believe for the first time.
According to Les Feldick, the Bible never calls the Jewish believers at Jerusalem Christians. They were only believers that Jesus was the Messiah, whereas the believers at Antioch were first called Christians because they believed in Jesus' death for their sins and resurrection.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Said "We Know Christ No More" — 2 Corinthians 5:16