Antioch (Pisidia)

Antioch in Pisidia, a city visited by Paul on his missionary journeys.

Antioch in Pisidia, also known as Pisidian Antioch, was a city located in the region of Pisidia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It is mentioned in the New Testament in connection with Paul's missionary journeys. During Paul's first missionary journey, he and Barnabas visited Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Act.13.14-41).

Paul's message in the synagogue focused on Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the offer of forgiveness of sins through faith in Him. While some of the Jews and proselytes believed, others rejected the message and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, forcing them to leave the city (Act.13.42-52).

Later, on their return journey, Paul and Barnabas revisited Antioch in Pisidia, strengthening the disciples and appointing elders in the church (Act.14.21-23). However, the city continued to be a place of opposition, as Jews from Antioch and Iconium followed Paul and Barnabas to Lystra, where they stoned Paul and left him for dead (Act.14.19-20).

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul mentions the persecutions and sufferings he endured in Antioch, along with Iconium and Lystra, highlighting the challenges he faced while preaching the gospel in these cities (2Ti.3.11).

The events in Antioch in Pisidia demonstrate the mixed response to the gospel message, with some embracing it and others violently opposing it. Despite the difficulties, the church in Antioch in Pisidia was established and strengthened through Paul's ministry.

In the extreme north of Pisidia; was visited by Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:14). Here they found a synagogue and many proselytes. They met with great success in preaching the gospel, but the Jews stirred up a violent opposition against them, and they were obliged to leave the place. On his return, Paul again visited Antioch for the purpose of confirming the disciples (Acts 14:21). It has been identified with the modern Yalobatch, lying to the east of Ephesus.