And the disciples were called Christ-ians / Christ-Ones first in Antioch”. Note, this is prior to Paul’s involvement, and in any case NOT because they had just founded a new religion! In the eastern Roman, previously Greek, provinces the lingua franca was Greek. In speaking Greek instead of Hebrew to the “great number” of Gentiles the Hebrew term for “Messianic-believer” became Greek “Christ-one”.
This church plant, following the typical accretion pattern Paul warned against constantly, became the Melkite Church founded by the apostle Saint Peter as the First Patriarchate of Antioch in the 1st century AD.
On a side note, one of my many memorable international experiences was being married in a Melkite Church in Beirut, Lebanon, to a Palestinian Christian. During the Lebanese Civil War, in a church located on the “Green Line” / front line of battle between warring Christian and Moslem neighborhoods. In August. No air conditioning, no pickup of garbage piled two stories high at the corners. We Americans do not understand tribulation, but we can be sure if scripture is to be believed that our day will come.
43-45 from Acts 12 and letter by James brother of Jesus who was converted after Jesus’ death and resurrection, assumes leadership of Messianic Judaism after Herod Agrippa I king of Judea kills James brother of John. Epistle of written to “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” defining “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
45-62 from Acts 11-13 Barnabas brings Paul from isolation in his hometown of Tarsus to where the action is in Antioch (Syria) to help in existing Jewish-led evangelistic ministry to Gentiles, the mixed assembly financially supports the Messianic Jewish community in Jerusalem during a famine, on orders by the Holy Ghost the assembly sends out Paul and Barnabus on 1st missionary journey thru cities in region of Turkey called Galatia where they preach the gospel at synagogues, evangelize Jews & Gentiles.
49-53 from Acts 15, I Peter 5:13 A Messianic Jewish Council meets to settle question of whether Gentile believers are required to follow Mosaic rituals like the Jewish believers who became disciples of Christ, determine that Gentile converts to the Jewish Savior of the world do not while the Jewish disciple of Christ still follow all the Mosaic law, consistent with the chosen status of the nation of Israel as Melchizedekian leaders over all the nations of the world. “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” (Acts 15:21)
52-53 from Acts 15:36 -18:18 Paul sent out on follow-up 2nd journey with an agenda that includes delivering decrees excluding Gentile converts from practicing Judaism, but there is no question that all Jewish believers in the Christ, Paul in particular as the leader of Gentile converts, maintain all Jewish practices. Mark collaborates with Peter at Rome in writing biography of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel.
For 20 years ALL religious services had taken place either in Solomon’s Porch at the temple in Jerusalem or in synagogues in other cities. Then Paul – because of blasphemy against the Christ – leaves a synagogue to meet in the first house church mentioned in the Bible, composed of Jewish and Gentile believers. At this time Paul also writes the letter to Galatians to strongly counter persistent Judaizers of Gentile converts to the Christ, and 1st & 2nd letters to Thessalonians to encourage endurance during growing persecution.
CLEARLY the Messianic Jews were in control of this one – of many – branches of Judaism, and were opposed to having Rome’s religious exemption of their Jewish cult undermined by Gentile converts to Jewish monotheism drawing negative attention from Rome’s requirement of its Gentile citizens to participate in its cult of emperor worship.
56 from Acts 19:1-10 Again Paul leaves a synagogue meeting weekly in Ephesus to meet instead daily in a publicly accessible schoolhouse. This openness to the general Gentile public leads to great church growth. Paul’s 1st letter back to the church in Corinth deals with new convert problems breaking with old habits.
58 from Acts 20:2-4, I Peter 5:13 Paul meets personally with Messianic Jewish elders in Ephesus, writes a letter to a Roman community of believers explaining he will get there as soon as he can, follow-up letter to Corinthians implores forgiveness and restoration, references great tribulation, Peter’s 1 st letter backs up Paul’s ministry to his Gentile churches, and supports them in their fiery trial of tribulation.
59-60 from Acts 22-24 Paul travels back to Jerusalem, denies the charge that he teaches Jews to forsake Mosaic Law. Paul imprisoned at Caesarea by Romans to protect from illegal Jewish plot against his life, is sent by ship to Rome for the court case at his request as was his right as a Roman citizen. Finally makes it to Rome, on Caesar’s dime no less.
Luke’s biography of Jesus is written in collaboration with Paul, possibly for evidence in his trial before Caesar. Matthew, still focused on the lost sheep of the house of Israel, writes biography of Jesus to prove to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.
60-63 from Acts 28:16-31, While imprisoned at Rome, Paul has lots of time for writing letters, which, frankly, speaking from experience juggling the demands of daily life leaving less time for writing than desired, turned out to be a blessing, especially since he had comfortable accommodations. Paul first reaches out to existing Jewish leadership, and only to Gentiles after Jews reject his analysis of scripture.
Letter to Ephesian Gentiles written to encourage Gentiles to pick up their qualified leadership roles after his outreach to Jewish international leadership is repulsed. Hebrews written explaining Gentiles’ identity as Hebrew priests under High Priest Melchizedek. Acts probably written by Luke at this time.
Jewish nationalistic aspirations heighten in fulfillment of Jesus’ warning to “this generation” predicting Jerusalem doomsday by 70 AD, Paul, released from imprisonment, takes up residence in Macedonia.
64-65, 1st letter to young Timothy, who is Jewish, desperately exhorting him to carry on if only by himself. Peter’s second letter supports Paul’s transfer of leadership from Jews to Gentiles.
66, 2nd letter to Timothy written when Paul is imprisoned for 2nd and last time, mourning that the response to his letter to the Ephesians, the leading church of Asia was that “All in Asia be turned away from me.” Paul martyred at Rome under Nero as the anticipated revolt by Judean Jews explodes, Messianic Jew flee across the Jordan river to Pella, Jerusalem church and Jewish leadership in shamble.
64-71, The Great Fire of Rome triggers a seven year great tribulation by the Roman Empire of their citizens who had converted from Romes’s gods – which including Caesar – to the Jewish Messiah. Peter is martyred under Nero.
70, Jerusalem besieged, temple destroyed and Jews are deported, leaving Messianic Judaism adrift in a hostile world.
~80, Jude, brother of Jesus, write brief letter exhorting believers to “earnestly contend for “the common salvation… the faith which was once delivered unto the saints“, i.e. the universal Melchizedekian covenant, since Judaism could no longer be practiced without the temple. John’ writes three letters of encouragement as well as a biography of Jesus written to Gentiles unfamiliar with Jewish customs.
~89, Revelation is Written by last surviving apostle, John, to Paul’s Gentile churches in Turkey, detailing world-wide Judgment Day on faithless Gentile leadership worse than that experienced by the national Judgment Day on faithless Jewish leadership in the nation of Israel.
