What challenge did Paul face before these highly philosophical Greeks? stream Acts 27:2 Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. His solitude in that great city where God was not worshiped was oppressive; and he longed for the sympathy and aid of his fellow-laborers. Acts 17:1-9 In Thessalonica, Paul went into the Jewish synagogue and . This ancient Greek city was on the coast of Ionia, close to present-day Turkey. It lies in 40 degrees 40 minutes North latitude, and 22 degrees 50 minutes East longitude, at the northernmost point of the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonica), a short . So why was the Via Egnatia important? This proves that the politarchs were six in number, and it is a curious coincidence that in it occur the names Sosipater, Gaius and Secundus, which are berate by three Macedonian converts, of whom the first two were probably Thessalonians, the last certainly.4. This extremely important Roman highway connected so many of the cities Paul visited. What accusation was brought against the apostles? We should inquire, not what the minister, the church, or some personal friend may say, but what the Lord says. The Signs of the Times, November 26, 1885. He was in a position where he might easily have spoken that which would irritate his proud listeners, and bring himself into difficulty. A number of "Gr women of honorable estate and of men" also believed, but the advent of a body of hostile Jews from Thessalonica created a disturbance in consequence of which Paul had to leave the city, though Silas and Timothy stayed there for a few days longer (Acts 17:12-15). After teaching some in Berea, Paul departed ahead of Silas and Timothy, southward into Achaia (now southern Greece), to Athens, possibly for the winter of 51-52 AD (Acts 17:14-15). This ancient region and Roman province in the Balkans was known as Moesia. . And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11. 2 How are the noble Bereans to be an example for us today? Thessaloniki is located in Greece with (40.6436,22.9309) coordinates and Athens is located in Greece with (37.9795,23.7162) coordinates. These, however, belonged to an Athens of another time. University of Texas Perry-Castaeda Library Map Collection/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. Gill, N.S. Well ignore the cities Paul merely passed through, focusing on the three where he spent time preaching the gospel. 5 What is to be our safeguard in todays era when paganism is so rampant? Sailing in and around the Mediterranean became too dangerous in the fall (Acts 27:9-10). What reasoning did Paul use in his appeal? . So, too, it seems, was Athens. Now Paul had shorn his head in Cenchrea because he had made a vow. Berea sat at the base of Mount Bermius, which is part of the Vermio Mountains and provides an ample supply of water for the city and the region. Because of this, the synagogue at Thessalonica sent people to Berea, forcing Paul to travel to Athens by himself. The Department of History, United States Military Academy/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. The calculated flying distance from Berea to Athens is equal to 141 miles which is equal to 227 km.. The arch itself, which was perhaps erected to commemorate the victory of Philippi, though some authorities assign it to a later date, has been removed, and the inscription is now in the British Museum (CIG, 1967; Leake, Northern Greece, III, 236; Le Bas, Voyage archeologique, number 1357; Vaux, Trans. During this period, the Phoenicians were colonizing northern Africa, southern Spain, the Greeks, and southern Italy. This is the period described in Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey.". Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens Bible Background Acts 17:1-32 Printed Text Acts 17:1-4, 10-12, 22-25, 28 Devotional Reading PSALM 47 Aim for Change By the end of the lesson, we will: LEARN that, although Paul and Silas's message was accepted by some but Note that you can see Byzantium (Constantinople) on this map. The calculated flying distance from Thessaloniki to Athens is equal to 189 miles which is equal to 304 km.. 3rd Edition, Kindle Edition, OUP Oxford, August 22, 2013. User:Alexikoua, User:Panthera tigris tigris, TL User:Reedside/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0. The Thessalonian Church:The Thessalonian church was a strong and flourishing one, composed of Gentiles rather than of Jews, if we may judge from the tone of the two Epistles addressed to its members, the absence of quotations from and allusions to the Old Testament, and the phrase "Ye turned unto God from idols" (1 Thessalonians 1:9; compare also 2:14). Paul travels to Berea, where he has similar success in the Synagogue in Berea. Almost certainly Paul returned there on his 3rd missionary journey, both on his way to Greece (Acts 20:1) and again while he was going thence to Jerusalem (Acts 20:3); it is on this latter occasion that we hear of Aristarchus and Secundus accompanying him (Acts 20:4). The most improtant archaoelogical, religious and cultural destinations along with several museums and monuments are available. When Paul traveled to a new place, if there was a synagogue, he always went there. Athens, Corinth Now after these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth (Acts 18:1). User:Bibi Saint-Pol/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0, 2.5. This map displays the empire from Macedonia in Europe, the Indus River, Syria, and Egypt. CC BY-SA 3.0. The most significant city mentioned in Acts 17 is Thessalonica, which may surprise you. The Bereans were residents of the city of Berea in Macedonia. Thessalonica. With interactive Thessaloniki Map, view regional highways maps, road situations, transportation, lodging guide, geographical map, physical maps and more information. The Macedonian Empire of 336-323 B.C. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. How can the Bereans be an inspiration to us today? He found at Thessalonica a synagogue of the Jews, in which for three successive Sabbaths he preached the gospel, basing his message upon the types and prophecies of the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 17:2, 3). Paul wanted to check on the state of the Thessalonians . From Berea, Paul went to Athens. The ancient history website livius.org points out that the Via Egnatia, in combination with Italys north-south Via Appia, or Appian Way, linked Rome with Byzantium in Asia Minor: anyone coming from Rome and travelling to the east, would come to Brundisium, cross the Adriatic, reach Dyrrhachium (or Apollonia), and continue along the Via Egnatia. Byzantium was the eastern terminus of this 1,120 kilometer-highway (696 miles). Ida was sacred to Rhea and held the cave in which she put her son Zeus so he could grow up in safety away from his children-eating father Kronos. The period of Mycenean Greece ran from about 1600 to 1100 B.C. Thus, many in Berea believed the gospel message. Gill, N.S. I Thessalonians 2:18. Berea, Thessalonica Source: NASA Seven Churches of Asia in Revelation The seven churches of Asia were written to in the book of Revelation in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Among these converts were in all probability Aristarchus and Secundus, natives of Thessalonica, whom we afterward find accompanying Paul to Asia at the close of his 3rd missionary journey (Acts 20:4). The map shows the boundaries of districts in Roman times. After the Peloponnesian War, Thebes became the most powerful city temporarily. They need expect no more favorable reception from a large majority of professed Christians than did Paul from his Jewish brethren. John 7:17. Since its construction, Via Egnatia played a major role in the shaping of the whole region. Bible Study Guides - Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens November 7, 2017 by Reformation Herald Publishing January 25, 2015 - January 31, 2015 Key Text "As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." I Thessalonians 2:4. % These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the . After bringing Paul to Athens, those escorting him returned to Berea, taking with them a command from Paul for Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens as soon as possible. Though modern visitors are impressed with the great buildings of the Acropolis and Olympian Zeus, the agora and the impressive stoas, St . Berea is located in United States with (41.3662,-81.8543) coordinates and Athens is located in United States with (39.3292,-82.1013) coordinates. map of thessalonica, berea and athens map of thessalonica, berea and athens Is Ealing safe address a problem head-on meaning cn annadurai books pdf August 15, 2020 Sounds like our political system from the local city councils to Congress. Upon leaving Thessalonica under duress, Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled to Athens by way of Berea. The Jews in Thessalonica came to Berea and started causing trouble for Paul, so the Christians sent him to Athens, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea intending to join Paul as soon as possible. Some of the Jews became converts and a considerable number of proselytes and Greeks, together with many women of high social standing (Acts 17:4). In the meantime, Id love to hear your comments! It distinguishes the Bible reader and believer, who has been receiving the precious treasures of truth, from the skeptic and the believer in pagan philosophy. This map shows Greece at the time of the war with Persia in 500-479 B.C. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. The Bereans listened to Paul's teaching and carefully examined Scripture to determine if his teaching was true. The main sources of water were the Haliacmon and Axios Rivers, which supported apple, peach and pear orchards. In this post well consider the geography of Acts 17, focusing on a major Roman highway. by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists. The Bible says the Bereans were more noble than the people in Thessalonica because they wanted to prove that Paul's words were true. The city of Salonika is located in northern Greece.After the invasion and occupation of Greece in April 1941, Salonika was included in the German occupation zone. Note: Paul was an Adventist; he presented the important event of the second coming of Christ with such power and reasoning that a deep impression, which never wore away, was made upon the minds of the Thessalonians. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 83. 17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and f The prehistoric wall around the Acropolis of Athens followed the contours of the rock and was referred to as the Pelargikon. Bible for kids: Paul preaches at Thessalonica, Berea and Athens Acts chapter 17: Acts of the Apostles read for children. Because of the persecution in Thessalonica, what did the brethren decide to do with Paul? be-re'-a (Beroia or Berroia):(1) A town of southwestern Macedonia, in the district of Emathia. I want that for every Christian! u1e #!
O:4]2uG:K u It was the ancient city of Chalab, lying about midway between Antioch and Hierapolis. . Bible stories for children . Alternatively, KTEL Thessalonikis operates a bus from Athens to Thessaloniki Monastiriou every 3 hours. Note: Those who preach unpopular truth in our day meet with determined resistance, as did the apostles. There will be a union of opposing elements against them; for however diverse from each other different organizations may be in their sentiments and religious faith, their forces are united in trampling under foot the fourth commandment in the law of God. Troas Troas is the place where God gives the apostle a vision letting him know he should preach the gospel in Europe (Acts 16:8 - 9, 11 - 12). Attalia, Perga And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they came down to Attalia (Acts 14:25). The Theban hegemony over Greece lasted from 371 when the Spartans were defeated at the Battle of Leuctra. We help thousands of people every year to plan beautiful and trouble-free holidays. From Athens Paul directed his steps to Corinth, where he appears to have arrived in the autumn of A.D.52. Map of Paul's Journeys Categories: Early Christian Church, Paul Print Version (GIF) Circle the cities Barnabas and Silas traveled to with Paul. Berea was located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Thessalonica. Choose volunteers to read Acts 17:1-3 . In 58 B.C. Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia Commons/CCY BY CC0. On this map of ancient Greece, Ephesus is a city on the east side of the Aegean Sea. An ancient sanctuary, Delphi is a town in Greece that includes the Oracle where key decisions in the ancient classical world were made. Royal Sec. THESSALONICA. Author: Marion Golsteijn. If the people of our time would follow the example of the noble Bereans, in searching the Scriptures daily, and in comparing the messages brought to them with what is there recorded, there would be thousands loyal to Gods law where there is one today. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 88. Aleppo is now a city of nearly 130,000 inhabitants. Not much of the route of Paul's journey is in doubtLuke describes the trips pretty precisely in Acts. Myra And after sailing across the sea by Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to the city of Myra in Lycia (Acts 27:5). His dejection of mind was caused by the apparently insurmountable obstacles which presented themselves against his reaching the minds of the people of Athens. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 89, 90. FP Travel also services this route 3 times a week. About the only question is whether Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by ship or by road. History:Thessalonica rapidly became populous and wealthy. This reference map of ancient Greece includes the southernpart of the empire. "Historical Maps." On average, I publish three to four new articles a month. 84y$jT|H
T0Z+,&:-DU The Jews of Thessalonica were so angered by Paul's gospel that they followed Paul to Berea and made trouble for him there (Acts 17:10-15). Thessalonica was a large, major city; Berea, so far as we can tell, was a small, "sleepy town," an "out of the way place" (see footnote 12 on Berea). Persia attacked Greece in what is known as the Persian Wars. Here we find a large number of resident Jews and a synagogue. However, you cant help but notice it as you study Pauls movements. Graec., II, p. 98, number 14); in the 2nd century of our era Lucian mentions it as the greatest city of Macedonia (Asinus, 46). But after a short time in Athens, Paul felt the need to receive a report from the newborn church in Thessalonica, so he sent Timothy back to serve and minister to the new believers there. The country covers a total area of 41,865 sq. Paul and Silas fled from Thessalonica to Berea. Coos, Rhodes, Patara And it came to pass that after leaving them, we sailed away; and taking a direct course, we came to Coos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara (Acts 21:1). This map shows the coast of Asia Minor and islands, including Lesbos. The town, which still bears among the Greeks its ancient name (pronounced Verria) though called by the Turks Karaferia, possesses but few remains of antiquity with the exception of numerous inscriptions (Leake, Travels in Northern Greece, III, 290 if; Cousinery, Voyage dans la Macedoine, I, 57; Dimitsas, Makedonia in Greek, 57).Marcus N. Tod(2) The place where Menelaus the ex-high priest was executed by order of Antiochus Eupator, the victim, according to local custom, being cast from a tower 50 cubits high into a bed of ashes (2 Maccabees 13:3). Despite the false claims against him, how did Paul describe his actual manner of preaching the gospel in Thessalonica? Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica And after journeying through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews (Acts 17:1). This map displays the beginnings of historic Greece 700 B.C.-600 B.C. From Thessalonica, the road went all the way to Constantinople (Istanbul). This desire was to be fulfilled more than once. Seleucus Nicator gave it the name Berea. The philosopher Thales and the poet Sappho were active during this time as well. Known as "the navel of the world," the Greeks used the Oracle as a place of worship, consulting, and influence throughout the Greek world. Howatson, M. C. "The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature." It is usually maintained that the earlier name of Thessalonica was Therma or Therme, a town mentioned both by Herodotus (vii.121;, 179;) and by Thucydides (i0.61; ii.29), but that its chief importance dates from about 315 B.C., when the Macedonian king Cassander, son of Antipater, enlarged and strengthened it by concentrating there the population of a number of neighboring towns and villages, and renamed it after his wife Thessalonica, daughter of Philip II and step-sister of Alexander the Great. It played a prominent part in the struggles between the Greeks and the Bulgarians and Serbs, and was finally conquered by the Turks in 1373-74. Berea Paul, Silas, and Timothy found noble souls to teach during Paul's second missionary journey. It became of large importance as adestination for culture in the 13th century B.C. "The Attica of Pausanias." Almost directly across from Colchis is Tomi, where the Roman poet Ovid lived after he was exiled from Rome under Emperor Augustus. Now known as the modern Avlida, the Greeks often got together in this area to set sail to Troy and bring back Helen. Athens (Attiki) Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki) 303.13: Piraeus (Attiki) Patrai (Acha?a) 169.73: Peristerion (Piraios Nomos) Irakleion (Irakleion) 325.33: Larisa (Larisa) Kallithea (Piraios Nomos) Perhaps the Sopater of Berea who accompanied Paul to Asia on his last journey to Jerusalem was one of his converts on this visit (Acts 20:4). Athens, Corinth Now after these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth (Acts 18:1). The Dacians occupied Dacia, a region north of the Danube later known as Romania. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.10. Philippi was a Roman town, military rather than commercial; hence, we find but few Jews there and no synagogue; the magistrates bear the title of praetors (Acts 16:20, 22, 35, 36, 38 the Revised Version margin) and are attended by lictors (Acts 16:35, 38 the Revised Version margin); Paul and Silas are charged with the introduction of customs which Romans may not observe (Acts 16:21); they are beaten with rods (Acts 16:22) and appeal to their privileges as Roman citizens (16:37, 38). And that's what they did, as "the Lord's message rang out" from the Thessalonian church ( 1 Thessalonians 1:8 ). Note: The unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica, filled with jealousy and hatred of the apostles, and not content with having driven them from their labors among the Thessalonians, followed them to Berea, and again stirred up the excitable passions of the lower class to do them violence. This map of Macedonia includes Thrace, Dacia, and Moesia. All Cities Visited by Apostle Paul Large Map. Translator was Kenmayer/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 1.0. These, by common consent the earliest of Paul's Epistles, show us that the apostle was eager to revisit Thessalonica very soon after his enforced departure: "once and again" the desire to return was strong in him, but "Satan hindered" him (1 Thessalonians 2:18)-a reference probably to the danger and loss in which such a step would involve Jason and the other leading converts. 3 In what ways are the ideologies of Athens repeated in our time? Unlike Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica, Berea was not on the Via Egnatia. If you want to go by car, the driving distance between Berea and Athens is 324.65 km. The magistrates were duly alive to the seriousness of the accusation, but, since no evidence was forthcoming of illegal practices on the part of Jason or the other Christians, they released them on security (Acts 17:5-9). km. Remains of Via Egnatia near Radozda (a village on the shore of Lake Ohrid). It is also basically to the north of Greece. 30 Maps of Ancient Greece Show How a Country Became an Empire. Unfortunately, the non-believing Jews from Thessalonica arrived in Berea to stir up trouble, so Paul was sent off to sail to Athens by himself while Timothy and Silas stayed behind. As a place of trade, its position . Note: The minds of the Bereans were not narrowed by prejudice, and they were willing to investigate and receive the truths preached by the apostles. 52 I Thessalonians wri7en from Corinth Claudius expels Jews from Rome 53 II Thessalonians wri7en from Corinth Felix becomes procurator of Judea 54 Paul's 4 I want that for you. Note: The faithful apostle steadily pressed on through opposition, conflict, and persecution, to carry out the purpose of God as revealed to him in the vision at Jerusalem: I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles (Acts 22:21). Sketches from the Life of Paul, 88, 89. Fair Havens (Crete) Place where Paul's ship, on its way to Rome, docks for a period of time (Acts 27:8). Humbled by the Centuries Leaving Berea in haste, Paul traveled by sea to Athens ( Acts 17:14-15 ), again just one step ahead of the envious and angry Jews of Thessalonica. ThoughtCo. The Mediterranean country of ancient Greece (Hellas) was composed of many individual city-states (poleis) that were not unified until the Macedonian kings Philip and Alexander the Great incorporated them into their Hellenistic empire. Tickets cost 39 - 42 and the journey takes 5h 45m. It may be identical with BEEROTH (which see) in Benjamin, a Hivite town, 8 miles North of Jerusalem, or with the modern Birez-Zait, 1 1/2 miles Northwest of Jifneh.W. Pauls work was to bear the tidings of salvation to a people who had no intelligent understanding of God and His plans. They must sound the note of warning to the world, teaching the transgressors of the law what sin is, and pointing them to Jesus Christ as its great and only remedy. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 86. This map shows the battle of Thermopylae. Greek mythology says it was destroyed by the Epigoni before the Trojan War, but then it recovered by the 6th century B.C. The Xenophon of Athens was a Greek philosopher, historian, and soldier who authored many practical treatises on topics like horsemanship and taxation. Foreseeing further trouble if Paul should continue his work in the town, the converts sent Paul and Silas (and possibly Timothy also) by night to Berea, which lay off the main road and is referred to by Cicero as an out-of-the-way town (oppidum devium: in Pisonem 36). Berea was the first city to surrender to Rome and fell in the third of the four regions into which Macedonia was divided (Livy xliv0.45; xlv.29). Bible s. Pliny, however, speaks of Therma as still existing side by side with Thessalonica (NH, iv.36), and it is possible that the latter was an altogether new foundation, which took from Therma a portion of its inhabitants and replaced it as the most important city on the Gulf.2. This title occurs nowhere in Greek literature, but its correctness is proved beyond possibility of question by its occurrence in a number of inscriptions of this period, which have come to light in Thessalonica and the neighborhood, and will be found collected in AJT (1898, 598) and in M. G. Dimitsas, (Makedonia), 422;. He had been at Philippi, and traveled thence by the Egnatian Road, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia on the way (Acts 17:1). He was not traveling for the purpose of sight-seeing, nor to gratify a morbid desire for new and strange scenes. It was as a result of the devastation by the Persians of Athens that the great building projects were started under Pericles. Paul and Silas preached to them during Paul's second missionary journey. For that reason, an overland route was a crucial alternative. In addition, the Romans had granted it status as a free city, or one that could govern itself. St. Paul's visit to the historic and adorned city of Athens marks one of the most challenging parts of his career as a missionary and Apostle. This map shows the Black Sea. It lies in 40 degrees 40 minutes North latitude, and 22 degrees 50 minutes East longitude, at the northernmost point of the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonica), a short distance to the East of the mouth of the Axius (Vardar). This Northern Greece map displays the districts, cities, and waterways amongst the Grecian peninsula of northern, central, and southern Greece. Syracuse was on the southeastern cape and the southern part of the east coast of Sicily. How far is it between Thessalonki and Athens. Maps Paul's journeys Thessalonica Berea Athens What did Paul do on his journeys? To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Acts 17:15-16, 22; 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:1 . Note: The religion of the Athenians, of which they made great boast, was of no value, for it was destitute of the knowledge of the true God. Yet the relative levels of restriction or freedom varied greatly . Megistias/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. The first permanent theater was erected at the start of the 5th century B.C., following an accidental collapse of the spectators' wooden benches.