While the Church in Antioch was growing in the word, and service to the Lord, 300 miles south in Judea the Church was experiencing a different aspect of the Church in the world.... Persecution.

The Christian community was growing. The Church found its foundation in Antioch 300 miles north of Jerusalem. They had received evangelism, encouragement, the word of God, and now we find the impact of the grace of God as those in Antioch sends sustaining support to their brothers in Judea.

the model of the Christian church.

What does a Church look like?

What should it look like?

Should it be an that which changes to fit the postmodern world?

Or should it be that once the model was clearly seen in the beginning of its establishment should we not today expect it to look the same?

The church age began in Jerusalem.

The Church as we know it, that which is not Jew nor the Pagan Greek but the body of believers that are of Christ began in Antioch.

A large number of Jews assembled there when the persecution of the followers of the way which were the designation of those jews who believed and who had received the spirit.

The believers in Antioch were the first to be called Christians. This group's cultural diversity sparked a missionary movement which brings attention to the the collective effort in discipling and teaching as Barnabas and Paul worked together.

the growing faith and growing antagonism

among reluctant advisers, Peter goes to the house of the centurion to meet with a house full of uncircumcised positive believers who to the suprize of the accompanying Jews too will receive the Holy Spirit.

Peter soon finds out why God has caused him to stay with a Tanner and to have those visions.

John gives a description of the Lord who is standing in the middle of the lampstands