The church in Antioch was a multiethnic community, many nations from the Greek ethnos that were gathered as one body in Christ.
Study questions
- The video refers to the beginning of the community in Antioch as “the origin story of the church.” What is the basis for this claim?
- What is the meaning of the term “multiethnic”?
- Why is it significant that the disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians” in Antioch?
- The video says that the “gathering of the nations” in Antioch took place “in the context of crisis.” In an article from 2020 (MennoniteMission.net/blog/we-became-friends/), Siaka Traoré, a Mennonite leader from the West African nation of Burkina Faso, noted that “the Chinese word for conflict, Wei Ji, is a composite made up of ‘danger’ and ‘opportunity.’” How did “danger” become “opportunity” in the story of Acts 11:19-30? What crises do we face today, and how might these be opportunities for followers of Jesus?
- What did it take for Jews and Gentiles to become one community in Antioch?
- Missiologist Titus Presler defines Christian mission as “ministry in the dimension of difference.” Where do you see Christians reaching across lines of difference today? Have these instances of crossing barriers led to faith in Jesus Christ?
- The text speaks about “those who were scattered” and those to whom they spoke — “the Hellenists” (see vv. 19-20). Who are “the scattered” today? Who is in the position of receiving those who are scattered today?
- The believers who were scattered from Jerusalem announced that “Jesus is Lord” (see v. 20). In the nation where you live, or in nations where you have lived, what are some of the “lords and gods” that people serve? In these settings, how might the message of Jesus be good news?
- Christian identity is multiethnic. What is your response to this statement? What connotations does “Christian” carry in your context?
