After a transition day crossing into Greece, we will rejoin Paul’s second missionary journey onto European soil as we visit the picturesque port of Neapolis, modern Kavala (Acts 16:11). We will follow the Via Egnatia and proceed to Philippi, a leading city of Macedonia, named after Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. The city of Philippi was resettled with Roman military veterans after the famous victory of Octavian (later known as Caesar Augustus) and Marc Anthony over the last defenders of the Roman Republic led by Cassius and Brutus in 42 BC. The city was established as a Roman colony and rebuilt to resemble a “small Rome” with a forum, theater, marketplace, and temples. Philippi maintained close communication with Rome through the Via Egnatia, which links the city across northern Greece to the Adriatic coast and then to Italy.
When Paul and Silas first arrive in Philippi, they follow their established pattern and search for a synagogue. However, they find only a small group of women who had gathered for prayer near the riverside on the Sabbath. We should never despise what the Lord accomplishes in small gatherings. Many dedicated servants of Christ have been evangelized in settings that may look insignificant to human eyes. Such is the beginning of the church in Philippi. One of the women at the river, Lydia, a wealthy merchant in purple cloth from Thyatira, was a God-fearer. The Lord opens her heart to the gospel and she is baptized with her entire household, which would have included family members and workers (Acts 16:14-15). Paul frees a slave girl “in the name of Jesus” from a spirit of divination.Both the wealthy and the destitute need the gospel of Christ. Instead of rejoicing at her freedom from demonic oppression, her owners seize Paul and Silas and bring them to the city magistrates with the charge: “these men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice” (Acts 16:20-21). Paul and Silas are beaten with rods and imprisoned. While they are praying and singing hymns to God around midnight, suddenly there is a great earthquake. The doors of the prison open, and everyone’s bonds unfasten. The jailer draws his sword and is about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners have escaped. When Paul cries out: “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here” (Acts 16:28), the jailer asks: “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). The answer is clear: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). Upon hearing the word of the gospel, the Philippian jailer believes. Paul and Silas then share the word of Christ with “all who were in his house” (Acts 16:32). The jailer’s entire household believes and confesses their new life in Christ through baptism. This is the remarkable beginning of Christ’s kingdom in Europe.
The church at Philippi would remain in gospel partnership with Paul throughout his entire ministry. This first church in Europe would prove a lasting source of encouragement and joy (Phil. 1:3-5). In Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, he would encourage them to pattern their lives after Christ in all things (Phil. 2:5-11) and mark those who did the same (Phil. 3:17). He would exhort them to “rejoice in the Lord” (Phil. 4:4). He would urge them: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). He would promise them that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). He would reveal to them the secret of contentment in any circumstances: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). We will end our day following Paul and Silas west along the Via Egnatia, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia and finally arriving at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1).
Key sites: Neapolis - Philippi - Amphipolis
Key Scripture References:
Acts 16; Philippians
Key Readings:
Peter Walker, In the Steps of Paul, chapter 11
Mark Wilson, Biblical Turkey, 364-370
David Palmer, CASKET EMPTY: God’s Plan of Redemption through History New Testament Study Guide, Teaching part 2
Videos:
Overview of the archaeological site of Philippi
Macedonian tomb at Amphiboles
When Paul and Silas first arrive in Philippi, they follow their established pattern and search for a synagogue. However, they find only a small group of women who had gathered for prayer near the riverside on the Sabbath. We should never despise what the Lord accomplishes in small gatherings. Many dedicated servants of Christ have been evangelized in settings that may look insignificant to human eyes. Such is the beginning of the church in Philippi. One of the women at the river, Lydia, a wealthy merchant in purple cloth from Thyatira, was a God-fearer. The Lord opens her heart to the gospel and she is baptized with her entire household, which would have included family members and workers (Acts 16:14-15). Paul frees a slave girl “in the name of Jesus” from a spirit of divination.Both the wealthy and the destitute need the gospel of Christ. Instead of rejoicing at her freedom from demonic oppression, her owners seize Paul and Silas and bring them to the city magistrates with the charge: “these men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice” (Acts 16:20-21). Paul and Silas are beaten with rods and imprisoned. While they are praying and singing hymns to God around midnight, suddenly there is a great earthquake. The doors of the prison open, and everyone’s bonds unfasten. The jailer draws his sword and is about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners have escaped. When Paul cries out: “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here” (Acts 16:28), the jailer asks: “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). The answer is clear: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). Upon hearing the word of the gospel, the Philippian jailer believes. Paul and Silas then share the word of Christ with “all who were in his house” (Acts 16:32). The jailer’s entire household believes and confesses their new life in Christ through baptism. This is the remarkable beginning of Christ’s kingdom in Europe.
The church at Philippi would remain in gospel partnership with Paul throughout his entire ministry. This first church in Europe would prove a lasting source of encouragement and joy (Phil. 1:3-5). In Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, he would encourage them to pattern their lives after Christ in all things (Phil. 2:5-11) and mark those who did the same (Phil. 3:17). He would exhort them to “rejoice in the Lord” (Phil. 4:4). He would urge them: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). He would promise them that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). He would reveal to them the secret of contentment in any circumstances: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). We will end our day following Paul and Silas west along the Via Egnatia, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia and finally arriving at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1).
Key sites: Neapolis - Philippi - Amphipolis
Key Scripture References:
Acts 16; Philippians
Key Readings:
Peter Walker, In the Steps of Paul, chapter 11
Mark Wilson, Biblical Turkey, 364-370
David Palmer, CASKET EMPTY: God’s Plan of Redemption through History New Testament Study Guide, Teaching part 2
Videos:
Overview of the archaeological site of Philippi
Macedonian tomb at Amphiboles
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| Via Egnatia from Neapolis to Philippi |
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| Overview of the site of Philippi |
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| Archaeology Illustrated reconstruction of Philippi |
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| Philippi today |
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