Unity in Diversity
Dr. John K. Mathew
Antioch was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire. So many cities are referred to in the Scriptures. Each town has its distinctive characteristics.
Jerusalem is considered as a sacred city. However, no city on the entire planet has witnessed as much violence over such a long period as Jerusalem. Jesus often traveled to Jerusalem to worship at the temple on religious holidays. But it is so sad to see that he was killed there.
While he was alive our Lord Jesus Christ cried over Jerusalem. It reads in the Gospel of Luke " Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing". Sodom and Gomorrah were two neighboring cities that grew wicked. Nineveh was an evil city but they later repented upon the message of Jonah.
Whatever, Antioch was different. So was the Antiochian church. Here is where believers were first called, 'Christians.'
The Antiochian church was a worshiping church. Fasting and prayer were important ingredients in their spiritual activities.
It was a sending church, and giving was a hearty habit of the believers there.
Above all, it was a multicultural church. Luke records it in the following words." Now in the church at Antioch, there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen,(who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch), and Saul. They all were in one accord.
What a meaningful ministry model. Our society is becoming more and more multicultural. Urbanization is a reality. The church has to be a melting pot where every language and people group can come and worship God with dignity and equality with no discrimination. The Antioch church set an example before us almost two thousand years ago. The church of Jesus Christ is the place where we can practice unity in diversity.