安提阿教會
使徒行傳十一章19至26節
19那些因司提反的事遭患難四散的門徒直走到腓尼基和塞浦路斯，並安提阿；他們不向別人講道，只向猶太人講。
20但內中有塞浦路斯和古利奈人，他們到了安提阿也向希臘人傳講主耶穌（有古卷作：也向說希臘話的猶太人傳講主耶穌）。
21主與他們同在，信而歸主的人就很多了。
22這風聲傳到耶路撒冷教會人的耳中，他們就打發巴拿巴出去，走到安提阿為止。
23他到了那裡，看見神所賜的恩就歡喜，勸勉眾人，立定心志，恆久靠主。
24這巴拿巴原是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心。於是有許多人歸服了主。
25他又往大數去找掃羅，
26找著了，就帶他到安提阿去。他們足有一年的工夫和教會一同聚集，教訓了許多人。門徒稱為基督徒是從安提阿起首。
信息分享
最初在安提阿教會負責牧養工作的是一位名叫巴拿巴的信徒。巴拿巴是個仁愛謙厚的人。當他了解到安提阿教會的情況後，便對眾人說：「我認識一個人，他可以幫助牧養這間教會，他就是已經信主有一段時間的保羅。他現在留在他的家鄉大數，我要去那裡，把他帶到這裡來。」巴拿巴馬上動身去了，真的把保羅帶來，結果，安提阿教會便成了保羅成長和事奉的母會。
巴拿巴和保羅一同合作，在安提阿教會事奉足有一年。他們所作的事奉，正正是每間教會所需要的事奉：教導的事奉。除非教會先在聖經的教導上，立好穩固的基礎，否則便難有真正的發展。你的教會又如何呢？已確立此根基了嗎？
安提阿教會不單是一間有豐富屬靈餵養的教會，她更是一間懂得作見證的教會。我們若飽食終日，卻不懂得多做運動，就只會變得過胖和懶惰。信徒在屬靈方面也是同一道理。第21節告訴我們，在安提阿有很多人信了主；而且，這更是第一個地方，暱稱信徒是「基督徒」，意即他們是跟從基督的人。
來到後面的第十三章，我們將發現安提阿教會成了一間禱告、順服和實踐宣教使命的教會。
此刻，讓我們暫且停下來，反觀自己的教會。我們的教會在教導聖經方面，已立好穩固的基礎了嗎？教會若要發展，就必須先有此基礎。此外，我們的教會是否每天為基督作見證？是否經常一起禱告？我們的教會若在這些方面有所欠缺，我們便有責任去改善。我們何不首先為自己的教會懇切禱告，祈求神親自帶領教會的發展？
ANTIOCH - PAUL'S HOME CHURCH
Acts 11: 19 - 26
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Message
One of the first pastors was Barnabas. He was a most gracious man. When he saw the situation at Antioch, he said, 'The man to meet the need here is that new convert, Saul. He is back home in Tarsus. I will go and get him.' He did, and Antioch became Paul's home church.
For twelve months Barnabas and Paul had a team ministry to the church in Antioch. They had what every church needs - a real teaching ministry. No church can really develop without a solid foundation of Bible teaching. Does your church have that foundation? It should.
But it was not only a well-fed church, it was a witnessing church. If all we do is to take in food without having any exercise we become fat and lazy. It is the same spiritually. Verse 21 tells us that a great many believed in Jesus Christ in Antioch. It was there the disciples were given a nickname - they were called 'Christians', people who followed Christ.
Later, in chapter 13, we will see that the church at Antioch was a praying church and an obedient, missionary - minded church.
Could we stop and look at our own church just now, wherever it is? Is there a good solid ministry of Bible teaching? There should be. Are the people witnessing for Christ day by day? Are they gathering regularly for prayer? If they are not, what do you think you could do to help bring this about? Why not pray and ask God to guide you as you seek his best for your church.