Podcasts about Antioch

He lived in asceticism in the wild hills outside Antioch. For forty-five years he had no tent or house of any kind, but wandered from place to place, living in caves or in clefts. In his old age, his disciples finally prevailed on him to build a small hut. Altogether he spent seventy years living in solitary ascesis.   Once a hunter met the recluse and asked him what he did in the mountains. The Saint answered 'Like you, I have come to the mountain to hunt. I am hunting for God, whom I long to see. I ardently desire to catch Him and will never tire of so excellent a chase!'   Once the people of Antioch rioted and tore down a pair of statues of the Emperor Theodosius and his wife. Two generals came from Constantinople, planning to inflict a bloody punishment on the people. Saint Macedonian, learning of this, came to the city and sought out the generals, asking them to take a message to the Emperor: that he, being human and subject to weakness like all men, should not be immoderately angry with other men; and that he should not, in return for the destruction of lifeless images, destroy those who are the very image of God.   During his lifetime Saint Macedonian was granted the gifts of spiritual insight and wonderworking, by which he worked many miracles of healing for the people of Antioch and its surroundings. He reposed in peace around 430, and was buried with honor in Antioch.

As Paul's first missionary journey continues, they arrive in Antioch in Pisidia. Paul steps forward in the synagogue to speak. His sermon parallels earlier sermons in Acts. By this speech, Luke highlights the unchanging center of the church's message: Jesus. 

Hour 3 of the Chris Hand Show | Wednesday 01-21-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shad Viciouz fka Shadow is a rapper from Antioch and an original artist on Woodie's East Co. Co. Records. He's known for his lyrical rap style that sets him apart from the music his fellow NorCal Latinos are mostly known for. In this follow-up podcast episode, Shad tells more unheard stories about Woodie and the other East Co. Co. artists and debuts his new album "Authentic."Purchase Shad Viciouz new album:Bandcamp: https://shadviciouz.bandcamp.com/album/authentic-the-book-of-shadowEven: https://www.even.biz/r/authentic-the-book-of-shadow--Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dregsone--For promo opportunities on the podcast, e-mail: info@historyofthebay.com--History of the Bay Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZUM4rCv6xfNbvB4r8TVWU?si=9218659b5f4b43aaOnline Store: https://dregsone.myshopify.com Follow Dregs One:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UNuCcJlRb8ImMc5haZHXF?si=poJT0BYUS-qCfpEzAX7mlAInstagram: https://instagram.com/dregs_oneTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dregs_oneTwitter: https://twitter.com/dregs_oneFacebook: https://facebook.com/dregsone41500:00 New album out now04:23 Reactions to last episode09:51 Rapping style14:35 “Dip Dip Dive”18:07 “Graveyard Shift”24:31 Opinion on NorCal rap30:10 Sureño fans?39:03 Latinos in hip-hop46:03 Meth in CoCo County57:15 Unreleased songs with Woodie1:00:02 Antioch-SF connection1:02:20 “Tales of Killa”1:06:02 Woodie's alleged confession 1:14:16 Woodie & Mac Dre1:17:56 Conspiracy theories1:26:47 Woodie moving to Oregon1:30:17 Woodie's missing headstone 1:33:02 Lil Los1:39:41 Lou-E-Lou1:44:49 D-Smalls 1:48:42 B-Dawg1:51:02 Droopy Drew 1:54:42 House party fights2:03:02 Nate Banks killed by police2:09:34 Part 3?

In this message, Pastor Tony tracks the expansion of the early church from Antioch to Philippi, marking the first time the gospel reached European soil. Drawing from Acts 15 and 16, he highlights how God uses "flawed human beings" and strategic missionary teams to carry the message of Jesus across 1,200 miles of diverse terrain. The sermon details the recruitment of young Timothy and the conversion of three very different individuals: the wealthy businesswoman Lydia, a freed slave girl, and a desperate Roman jailer.Subscribe to AfterWords on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Download a copy of the Exodus JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.comSubscribe to AfterWords on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com

Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingMore in Church History: https://emetministry.org/church-history-and-theology/In this video, Christian Barrett explores the life of Ignatius of Antioch, one of the most important Early Church Fathers and the bridge between the Apostles and the Apostolic Fathers. Ignatius served as a pastor in Antioch, wrote seven powerful letters on his way to martyrdom in Rome, and became famous for being thrown to the beast for his faith in Christ.Christian also discusses why Antioch mattered so much in early Christianity, what the early church looked like before later Roman developments, and why church leadership in this period was rooted in local churches rather than a centralized papacy. Along the way, he'll cover Emperor Trajan's persecution, Ignatius' fight against Docetism, and the major themes of each of his seven letters: unity, false teaching, submission to leaders, the Eucharist, and martyrdom.00:00 – Intro: Ignatius of Antioch00:23 – Ignatius: Bridge from Apostles to Apostolic Fathers02:25 – Why Antioch mattered in the Early Church05:00 – No Pope in Antioch (Early Church Structure)08:00 – The Early Church was built on Local Churches10:28 – Who was Ignatius of Antioch?11:37 – Roman Persecution & Emperor Trajan15:25 – Ignatius' 7 Letters (Overview)16:10 – Ignatius vs Docetism (False Teaching)18:39 – Letter to the Ephesians: Unity in the Church20:48 – Letter to the Magnesians: Local Church + Leaders21:55 – Letter to the Trallians: Reject False Teaching22:54 – Letter to the Romans: Martyrdom & Rome24:51 – Letter to the Philadelphians: Clean in Christ25:20 – Letter to the Smyrnaeans: Eucharist & True Flesh of Christ27:35 – Letter to Polycarp: Run the Race#IgnatiusOfAntioch #EarlyChurch #ChurchHistory #ApostolicFathers #ChristianHistory #Christianity #Theology #BibleStudy #Discipleship #Martyrdom #AncientChristianity #Patristics #Antioch

The Chief of Sinners | Week 3 |  Mitchell Dorris--This lesson will cover Paul's post-conversion experience, including his healing, calling, and commissioning by Ananias. We will examine his three-year stint in Arabia, the birth of the church in Antioch, the death of James, and the arrest of Peter. All of this will set the stage for his return and future ministry.--Notes

In this episode of Antioch Stories, Christian and Leah share how God led them into foster care and adoption, the challenges they've faced, and how prayer and church community have carried them through.

This holy defender of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church labored in the final days of the Byzantine Empire, when, pressed on all sides by the Turks, the Emperor in desperation sought union with (or rather submission to) the Papacy in hopes of obtaining aid from the West. It was St Mark who stood almost alone to prevent such a disaster to the Faith.   He was born in Constantinople in 1392 to devout parents. He received a thorough education and seemed destined for a secular career, but at the age of twenty- six he abandoned all worldly claims and became a monk in a small monastery in Nicomedia. Soon the Turkish threat forced him to return to Constantinople, where, continuing in the monastic life, he wrote a number of treatises on prayer and the dogmas of the Church. In time he was ordained priest, then, at the insistence of the Emperor John VIII Paleologos was made Metropolitan of Ephesus. The Emperor also prevailed on him to join the delegation which traveled to the Council of Florence to consider the reunion of the Orthodox Church and the churches under the Papacy. (Saint Mark went as exarch of the Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Antioch and Alexandria, who were unable to attend.)   The Greek delegation included the Emperor and the Patriarch of Constantinople. All, including Metropolitan Mark, began with great hopes that a true union in faith might result from the Council, but as the sessions proceeded, it soon became clear that Pope Eugenius and his theologians were interested only in securing submission of the Eastern Church to the Papacy and its theology. The Metropolitan spoke forcefully against various Latin dogmas such as the filioque and Purgatory, but the Greek delegation, desperate for western aid, bowed to expediency and agreed to sign a document of Union which would have denied the Orthodox Faith itself. Saint Mark was the only member of the delegation who refused to sign. When the Pope heard of this, he said "The bishop of Ephesus has not signed, so we have achieved nothing!"   When the delegation returned to Constantinople, the signers of the false Union were received with universal condemnation by the people, while Metropolitan Mark was hailed as a hero. The churches headed by Unionists were soon almost empty, while the people flocked to the churches headed by those loyal to Orthodoxy. Saint Mark left the City to avoid concelebrating with the Unionist Patriarch. He was exiled by the Emperor to Lemnos, but was freed in 1442. He continued to oppose the Union until his repose in 1444. In 1452 the Union was officially proclaimed in Constantinople, but the hoped-for Western aid was not forthcoming, and the City fell to the Turks in 1453.

Reaction and Response to "Why Roman Catholics Should Not Become Orthodox?"What if the hunger for stability isn't nostalgia, but a compass? Cloud of Witnesses discussion panel today is made up of John St John, James St Simon, Mario Andrew, and Jeremy Jeremiah.  The panel reacts to a pro-Catholic video that warns against becoming Orthodox and use it to surface the deeper questions: where does authority live, how does doctrine truly develop, and what keeps worship both beautiful and trustworthy?We react to a polemical Roman Catholic video urging Catholics not to convert to Eastern Orthodoxy and test its claims about apostolic unity, papal authority, doctrinal development, and universality. Along the way we share personal stories, weigh history against worship, and ask what sustains faith without constant change.• claims about Peter, Rome and Antioch• first among equals versus universal jurisdiction• councils as the arbiter of faith• slowness as protection against novelty• filioque and changes to the Creed• Marian dogmas and the limits of development• beauty and recognition in unchanging liturgy• ethnicity, national churches and real unity• pastoral gaps, weak catechesis and frustration• how to speak to Catholics considering OrthodoxyWe start with apostolic unity and the claim that Peter's office guarantees visible communion. From there, we trace how Orthodoxy understands primacy as “first among equals,” rooted in the shared authority of the apostles and the ecumenical councils. The conversation tests historical flashpoints—Peter in Antioch, Chalcedon weighing Leo's Tome, and moments when Rome's stance faltered—asking whether unity requires a single final arbiter or a conciliar process that takes time to mature. Rather than papering over differences, we probe them: is slow consensus a weakness, or a safeguard against novelty?Doctrinal development takes center stage as we compare clarifications in the West with what the East calls faithful continuity. We wrestle with the filioque's addition to the Creed, later Marian dogmas, and the principle that the symbol of faith should not be amended. Along the way, we get personal: stories of Catholics who feel adrift amid liturgical inconsistency, the draw of Orthodox worship that “feels” ancient because it is, and the complicated mix of ethnicity and universality that outsiders often misread. Beneath jurisdictions, we argue, stands a single sacramental life held together by councils, shared prayer, and a reluctance to innovate.If you've ever wondered why some Catholics look East, or how Orthodoxy claims to hold the line without a papal office, this conversation gives you history, theology, and lived experience in equal measure. Listen, reflect, and tell us where you stand—what convinces you most: authority, continuity, or the beauty that calls you home?Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses: https://www.patreon.com/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Read OnlineThe disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” Mark 2:18–19Fasting was common in Old Testament times. Its purpose was to express repentance, mourning, or preparation for divine intervention. This was especially true among John the Baptist's disciples who fasted in response to John's call to repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah.Though the Pharisees fasted, their fasting was often for show, to illustrate a false piety. Recall the Pharisee's prayer in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: “The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income'” (Luke 18:11–12). In today's Gospel, Jesus explains that His disciples do not fast now, but that a day is coming when they will need to fast. Jesus explains this within the context of revealing His divine identity as the Bridegroom of God's people.Through the prophets, God often described His relationship with His people in terms of a marriage covenant. Isaiah said, “For your husband is your Maker; the LORD of hosts is his name, Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5). Hosea prophesied, “I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with justice and with judgment, with loyalty and with compassion…” (Hosea 2:22–23).While Jesus, the Bridegroom, was with them physically, His disciples were at their wedding banquet, celebrating the new marriage covenant God was establishing with them. It was inappropriate to fast at such a banquet. However, “the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day” (Mark 2:20). This is a reference to Jesus' Passion, Death, and Ascension. He prophesied that once the New Marital Covenant was sealed in His Blood and His earthly mission completed, “they will fast on that day.” That day is today!In the early Church, fasting was also common: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2–3). In this instance, fasting helped the teachers and prophets in Antioch discern Saul and Barnabas' mission in preparation for sending them forth.Today, Jesus not only calls us to regular forms of fasting and mortification, doing so is an essential part of our spiritual journey. This teaching is clear in the New Testament. For example, at the beginning of Jesus' ministry He entered the desert and “fasted for forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:2). This models for us the value of fasting as we attempt to fulfill our missions and overcome the temptations of the evil one.If we want to imitate our Lord, deepen our covenantal bond with Him, and further His mission, then we must regularly fast. Though fasting is only required twice a year—on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday—we are encouraged to do so weekly, especially on Fridays, uniting this practice to our prayer life. Reflect today on your practice of fasting and other forms of regular mortification. Fasting is an interior discipline that unites us to the suffering Christ and prepares our hearts to receive His abundant grace. By helping us overcome the enticements of the flesh and distractions of this world, fasting refocuses our souls on the eternal wedding feast that awaits us in Heaven. Embrace fasting not as a burden, but as a joyful opportunity to grow in holiness, deepen your covenantal relationship with the Bridegroom, and prepare more fully for the mission on which He sends you.My Lord and Bridegroom, through the shedding of Your Blood, You have established a New Covenant of love and salvation with me. I long to deepen this covenant and remain faithful to the mission You have entrusted to me. When I am tempted by the disorder of my appetites or distracted by the allurements of the world, remind me of the necessity and grace of fasting. Help me to embrace this holy practice with joyful anticipation of its spiritual rewards and with greater trust in Your providence. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe Stock Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Isaiah 40:1-5Comfort, comfort my people,    says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,    and proclaim to her that her    hard service has been completed,that her sin has been paid for,that she has received from the Lord 's hand   double for all her sins.A voice of one calling:In the wilderness prepare   the way for the Lord;make straight in the desert   a highway for our God.Every valley shall be raised up,   every mountain and hill made low;the rough ground shall become level,   the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,   and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Series: N/AService: Sun PM WorshipType: SermonSpeaker: Marty Broadwell

Reading in Acts, we can compare the growth and character of the early church in Antioch and Jerusalem. This message highlights how God uses ordinary people, diversity and a community with a generous mission-minded heart to expand His kingdom. Chris shares about the part encouragement and mentorship play in the Antioch story, and how worship should today still lead to sending. // A message by Chris Hyatt.

"Foster care is hope." In this episode of Antioch Stories, Andy and Melanie Pell share how God led them into foster care and turned their home into a place of refuge for vulnerable children. They talk about the joys and heartbreaks of fostering and how Scripture, prayer, and their church community at Antioch sustain them through each challenge.

On this episode of Antioch MFA Program's LitCit, host Ash Anderson chats with Tony-nominated actor, award-winning playwright and novelist, John Cariani. Cariani is an Antioch University mentor and has penned more than twenty plays, including "Almost, Main", which has been produced more than 5000 times and which he adapted into a novel. This episode was produced by Karen Sampson and mastered by Mitko Grigorov.

If our hearts aren't beating for God and His interests, we'll end up running from one dry well to the next, wondering why it never satisfies. GOOD NEWS! When God gives us a new heart it comes with a new HEARTBEAT! Open a Bible to Acts 11 and follow along with Pastor Kyle.

In this last section of the Gospel of Luke, we zoom in and focus on Jesus during the last week before His crucifixion. Commonly referred to as the Passion of Jesus, this section of Luke puts Jesus' sacrifice on full display. Pastor Derrick Lynch introduces our sermon series, The Passion of Jesus, preaching from Luke 19:28-48. Notes in this sermon: The passion was, conscious, compassionate, and confrontational. Visit www.bluevalleychurch.org for more information about Blue Valley Church in Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas.

Pastor Phelps continues preaching through Acts and looks at the church of Antioch, a church that ended up changing the world. Message originally preached Sunday morning January 11, 2026.

Movements rarely grow the way we plan them. In Acts 11, we watch grace move ahead of structure as scattered believers carry the message of Jesus into Antioch, a bustling hub where cultural lines blur and new possibilities open. What happens next is not a victory lap but a blueprint for long-term faithfulness: leaders who refuse to grasp at control, a community that chooses slow formation over quick acclaim, and generosity that binds people once divided by history and habit.We walk through the turning points. Barnabas arrives not with a clipboard but with discernment, looking for “evidence of grace.” Instead of capturing the movement, he encourages it, then travels to Tarsus to bring Saul back to teach alongside him for a year. Their shared leadership reframes authority as service, collaboration, and trust. It's leadership without anxiety—confident enough to multiply itself and humble enough to celebrate what God has already begun through ordinary people. Along the way, we talk about how to organize around grace, not manage it, and why that shift matters for churches, teams, and any community trying to follow the Spirit's lead.When a prophet warns of famine, Antioch acts—no delay, no theatrics, just clear-eyed generosity. Each gives as they are able to support believers in Judea, a stunning reversal of social boundaries that once kept these groups apart. This is where transformation becomes visible: resources stop being private possessions and start functioning as tools for shared survival and mutual care. We offer a simple practice to carry forward this posture—meet one real need this week without being asked or praised—and reflect on how communion forms us into a people who belong to Christ and therefore to one another.If this conversation helps you rethink leadership, generosity, or the shape of community, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so others can find it too.Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to Madison Church on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback means the world to us, so please take a moment to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends and family.For inquiries, suggestions, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us at help@madisonchurch.com. For the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube New episodes are released every Monday, so mark your calendars and join us weekly! If you'd like to support the show, you can make a donation here. Your generosity helps us continue to bring you meaningful content. This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Madison Church. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. For detailed information regarding our terms of use and privacy policy, please visit our website.Thank you for being part of the Madison Church community! We appreciate your support.

We celebrated a holy transition as the baton was passed from Pastor Derrick to Pastor Kelli Wommack. With Superintendent McAvoy speaking on calling and Bishop Cowart reminding us of the moment Pastor Derrick first stepped into this role, we were invited to reflect on God's faithfulness past, present, and future.Rooted in Acts 13, the message reminded us that calling does not originate from human institutions or personal ambition, but from the Holy Spirit Himself. As the church in Antioch gathered in prayer, fasting, and worship, God spoke clearly, showing us that He often reveals His will when we posture ourselves in desperate dependence on Him.

The Official Corporate Podcast of Antioch, The Apostolic Church

Luke 4:1-15Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.'”The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7If you worship me, it will all be yours.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'”The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you   to guard you carefully;   they will lift you up in their hands,   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'”Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

Defeat at Magnesia sparks collapse throughout the Seleucid empire. Antiochus III leaves his son behind in Antioch as Seleucus IV and then heads out east- only to meet his end while trying to rob a temple in Persia.Sources for this episode:TBA

"Saint Gregory, the younger brother of Basil the Great, illustrious in speech and a zealot for the Orthodox faith, was born in 331. His brother Basil was encouraged by their elder sister Macrina to prefer the service of God to a secular career (see July 19); Saint Gregory was moved in a similar way by his godly mother Emily, who, when Gregory was still a young man, implored him to attend a service in honour of the holy Forty Martyrs at her retreat at Annesi on the River Iris. Saint Gregory came at his mother's bidding, but being wearied with the journey, and feeling little zeal, he fell asleep during the service. The Forty Martyrs then appeared to him in a dream, threatening him and reproaching him for his slothfulness. After this he repented and became very diligent in the service of God. He became bishop in 372, and because of his Orthodoxy he was exiled in 374 by Valens, who was on one mind with the Arians. After Valens' death in 378 he was recalled to his throne by the Emperor Gratian. He attended the Local Council of Antioch, which sent him to visit the churches of Arabia and Palestine, which had been defiled and ravaged by Arianism. He attended the Second Ecumenical Council, which was assembled in Constantinople in 381. Having lived some sixty years and left behind many remarkable writings, he reposed about the year 395. The acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council call him "Father of Fathers." (Great Horologion)

The Official Corporate Podcast of Antioch, The Apostolic Church

Before Luke records the great missionary works of Paul, he pauses the story to give us another summary glimpse of the church, this time the church and its leaders in Antioch. It is a short passage but teaches a lot about how the church can embrace the misison of God. 

The Official Corporate Podcast of Antioch, The Apostolic Church

The Official Corporate Podcast of Antioch, The Apostolic Church

January 2026 kicks off our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting. In this sermon Pastor Jonathan Lock preaches through Matthew 9:35-38 and guides the congregation through several moments of prayer. Pray along with us as you watch this sermon.

Lamentations 3:22-24Because of the Lord 's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

The Antioch church set the example of following the Spirit's leading to release the church's most gifted workers into the mission field so that more churches can be established.

In this Christmas Eve Family Service, Pastor Jonathan Lock peaches about the meaning and wonder of Christmas. Visit www.bluevalleychurch.org for more information about Blue Valley Church in Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas.

It's the year 386 and we are in Antioch. Tensions are rising along with political corruption and taxation. Early church father John Chrysostom (aka "Golden-Mouth") isn't having it. He's about to deliver a sermon so fire that prison gates are going to be swung wide open. Join us in our year's final episode as Summer tells the story of one of the most famous sermons in all of church history! The post The Sermon That Set the Prisoners Free appeared first on Sheologians.

Bishop Paul Donison reminds us that the most important resolution we can make in 2026 is not to forget our name. On January 1, the Feast of the Naming of Jesus, we commemorate the moment Jesus received his name. This helps us to remember the name given to us as those who bear his name in the world. The first people to receive the name Christians—little Christs—were the believers at Antioch. Like them, we are shaped by this name we carry.

Ryan Hudnall, BVC Elder, shares a message from Micah 6 about the paradox of justice and mercy. Visit www.bluevalleychurch.org for more information about Blue Valley Church in Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas.

God opened the floodgates of the gospel in Antioch, bringing Jews and Gentiles together in Christ, strengthening their faith such that they sacrificially sent aid to suffering believers in Judea.

Luke 2:8-20And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven,   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Religion and urban life are the most successful strategies of handling, enhancing, and capitalizing on human sociability. By integrating religious studies, archaeology, and spatial theory, Emiliano Rubens Urciuoli aims to re-describe the formation of Christ religion as urban religion in Citifying Jesus: The Making of a Roman Religion in the Roman Empire (Mohr Siebeck, 2024). Spanning almost four centuries of Christian literature from Paul to Augustine, the author shows that several characteristics commonly attributed to Christ religion are, in fact, outcomes of the distinct ways in which religious agents enact urbanity and interact with the urban space. The study brings the urbanity of religious agents into focus, shedding light on significant elements of religious transformation, innovation, institutionalization, empowerment, and resistance to power. Simultaneously, it explores the key urban features that shaped the emergence and development of Christ religion. Emiliano Rubens Urciuoli is Associate Professor in the Department of History and Cultures at the University of Bologna. Previously he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Max-Weber-Kolleg of the University of Erfurt and has spent research stays in Paris, Berlin, and Geneva. His research interests focus on the history of the ancient Christ religion, methodological advances in the study of ancient Mediterranean religious groups and traditions, issues of theory and method in the accademic study of religions, and the phenomenon of ancient and contemporary urban religion. He is conversant with issues of political theology, sociology of religion, critical theory of space, and critique of ideology (including religious ideologies). Jonathon Lookadoo is Associate Professor at the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary in Seoul, South Korea. While his interests range widely over the world of early Christianity, he is the author of books on the Epistle of Barnabas, Ignatius of Antioch, and the Shepherd of Hermas, including The Christology of Ignatius of Antioch (Cascade, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

There is a tradition that it was the young boy Ignatius whom Christ took upon his knee to explain to His followers that they must become as children to enter the Kingdom. He knew the holy Apostles personally and, with St Polycarp (February 25) was a disciple of St John the Evangelist. He succeeded Evodus as second Bishop of Antioch, the capital of Syria and at that time one of the largest cities in the world. Here, during the persecutions of Domitian, he strengthened the faithful, brought many pagans to Christ, and prayed that he himself would be granted the crown of martyrdom. His flock called him the Godbearer, a title that he did not refuse, for he said that all Christians after their Baptism are truly Bearers of Christ, clothed in the Holy Spirit.   When peace was restored to the Church for awhile, the holy Bishop devoted himself to organizing the young Church on strong foundations at a time when the last of the Apostles had only recently passed away. He established the principle that the Grace imparted to the Apostles at Pentecost was handed down to the bishops appointed by them, and so on through the generations: the Apostolic Succession.   The Emperor Trajan, passing through Syria to make war in Armenia, spent some time in Antioch and initiated a persecution of Christians. Rejoicing that the time of martyrdom had at last arrived, Ignatius presented himself before the Emperor and eloquently declared his faith in Christ.   "So you are a disciple of the one crucified under Pontius Pilate?" asked the Emperor.   "I am the disciple of Him who has nailed my sin to the Cross, and has trodden the Devil and his devices underfoot."   "Why do you call yourself the Godbearer?"   "Because I carry the living Christ within me!"   "Therefore, let the bearer of the Crucified One be taken in chains to Rome, there to be fed to the lions for the amusement of the people."   And so it was. During the long and difficult journey to Rome, cruelly mistreated by his guards, the Saint wrote a series of letters to the young churches which remain one of the treasures of the Church. In Smyrna, he was able to meet with his fellow-disciple Polycarp and entrust to him the care of the churches whose shepherd he had been. As Trajan had ordered, in Rome he was taken to the amphitheater and, as the Synaxarion says, "entered the arena as though approaching the holy altar to serve his last Liturgy in the presence of the faithful, who were crowded among pagans on the steps of the amphitheatre." In a few moments he was completely devoured by the lions, save for a few bones. These were gathered by the faithful and returned to Antioch.   In his Letter to the Romans, the holy Bishop wrote to some who wished to rescue him from his martyrdom: "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."

Paul preaches in Antioch to the joy of the Gentiles but to the wrath of the Jewish rulers. Persecution increases, so Paul and Barnabas move on to Iconium. Persecution follows, but the gospel continues to bear fruit. Have a listen. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education  What's New from 1517: Coming Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent Devotional Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug More from the hosts: Daniel Emery Price Erick Sorenson

It's one of the most famous questions in the Bible. It comes from a prison guard who's having such a bad night with earthquakes and broken locks that he's about to take his own life. Looking for a reason to live, he speaks the famous words: “What must I do to be saved?” And Paul just happens to be there with the answer. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

Paul's second mission trip got off to a rocky start as he and Barnabas argued and finally split to go their separate ways. But Paul set out with Silas instead, and picked up Timothy along the way. And as they traveled, they also picked up a new vision—a vision that led them farther west, into a brand new continent. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

Fr. Mike highlights the importance of prayer and fasting, instructing us how to fast and empty ourselves to feel our spiritual need for Christ. He also discusses faithfulness in vocations and living out the life God has called you to. Today's readings are from Acts 13, 1 Corinthians 7-8, and Proverbs 28:4-6. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.