City or site

Antioch on the Orontes

The Syrian city where believers were first called Christians and Paul’s journeys began.

What the sources say, and how sure we are

The text says
Gentiles come to faith in Antioch, where the disciples are first called Christians. The church sends out Paul and Barnabas, and later Peter and Paul disagree there about eating with Gentiles.Acts 11:20–26; Acts 13:1–3; Gal 2:11–14
Outside evidence
Antioch was the third largest city of the Roman Empire. Ignatius, its bishop about AD 110, wrote letters on his way to martyrdom in Rome.Ignatius, Letters
Debated
Scholars debate whether “Christian” was first a name used by outsiders or by believers, and when the dispute with Peter in Galatians 2 took place relative to the Jerusalem council.Acts 11:26; Gal 2:11–14; Acts 15