After A.D. 70, Antioch became the headquarters of the Christian church. Here, also, the Gnostics had their stronghold.
And it was at Antioch that Jesus’ followers were first called “Christians.”
Antioch produced Ignatius, the first known martyr, after the apostles.
The gospel of Mark was widely circulated—and accepted—at Antioch. Later, both Matthew and Luke were accepted.
Peter was the traditional authority of the church at Antioch. Even the apocalyptic “Gospel of Peter,” was widely read in the Syrian churches.
Bishop Sarapion of Antioch at first accepted the “Gospel of Peter,” but later on fully rejected it.
But the Syrian churches were beset by a combination of idolatrous polytheism and Jewish ceremonialism.
Next comes Docetism—denying the material existence of Jesus. He was “not born of woman”—could not suffer pain or death.
Then comes Gnosticism, a combination of Jewish, pagan, and Christian terminology. Gnostic teachers from Antioch spread over Asia Minor, Egypt, and Rome.
Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, wrote letters to all the churches and to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. He sought to augment the authority of the bishops—to fight heretics.
He circulated a manual on church government known as the “Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.”
There was always some sort of trouble with the church at Corinth. 1 Cor 1:10. Even the church at Rome sent them a rebuking letter. I Clement. (Apocrypha)
The Athens church might waver, but the church at Rome was always steady.
In general, the Grecian churches made progress and, in spite of their ups and downs, prospered.
Rome spread the gospel to the west, using the gospel of Mark—presenting Jesus in “action”—rather than as a preacher.
Rome was getting interested in church discipline—how to do penance, how to deal with apostates, etc.
A minor prophet, Hermas, brother of Bishop Pius, exerted considerable influence. His work “The Shepherd of Hermas” came close to getting into the New Testament canon.
Justin became a lay professor of philosophy—and an able defender of the “faith” before his martyrdom.
Justin did much writing against Marcion and other heretics—including reincarnation.