Biblical Backgrounds

Which of Paul’s three missionary journeys went through Greece?

His second and third

List in order the nine sites in Greece that Paul visited on his second missionary journey that we also plan to visit in this same order.

1. Neapolis

2. Philippi

3. Amphipolis

4. Apollonia

5. Thessalonica

6. Berea

7. Athens

8. Corinth

9. Cenchreae

Who does the word “Greek” refer to in the New Testament?

A non-Jew

How does this term come to havve such a broad application?

Because Alexander the Great loved the Greek culture, he spread it and people embraced the culture, so everyone who was not a Jew was considered Greek.

List in order the 8 major historical periods within ancient Greece. Note one biblical event (not necessarily in Greece) that occurred in each period.

1. Minoan (2000-1400 BC) - Abraham to the Exodus

2. Mycenaean (1450-1200 BC) - Period of the Judges

3. Greek Dark Age (1200-800 BC) - United Kingdom (David around 1000 BC)

4. Archaic (800-500 BC) - Assyrian and Babylonian exiles

5. Classical (500-338 BC) - Ezra/Nehemiah’s return from exile in the mid 400s

6. Hellenistic (338-146 BC) - Silent years

7. Roman (146 BC-330 AD) - The New Testament period is the first century AD

8. Byzantine (330-1453 AD) - Post-Bible

How did the pagan conqueror Alexander the Great pave the way for the spread of Christianity?

There was an international language (Greek) that united everyone. People were also open to thinking/doing things differently.

Of what does Paul have a vision while he is int Troas?

A man of Macedonia was urging Paul to come and help them

In what port city does Paul (and Silas/Silvanus and Timothy) first set foot in Europe?

Neapolis (is also known as the gate between Asia and Europe) (modern name Kavala)

By what route do they travel from there to Philippi?

The Egnation Way (Romans originally built it for transporting armies and supplies other used it for travel; it gave the Romans a sense of pride that it ran through Macedonia.

Why does the narrative suddenly change from “they” to “we” in Acts 16:10?

It is the place in the narrative where Luke joins the missionary team

What key historical facts do we know about the ancient city of Philippi?

1. It gets its name from Philip II of Macedon, who conquered it

2. Philippi was a part of the Roman Republic

3. In the battle of Philippi, Octavian and Mark Antony go against Brutus and Cassius, and their forces collide at Philippi. Octavian and Mark Antony win. It marks the transition of the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.

Who was the first person to be baptized in Europe?

Lydia from Thyatira, seller of purple goods, and a worshipper of God

Who was the next that we know of to be baptized in Europe?

The jailer and his household

What did the Greek agora and the Roman forum share in common?

Both of them were like city center/public squares and they are places of commerce, politics, religion, and social life

What was the bema that appeared within the Roman forum?

A platform where the ruling authorities made their judgements

To summarize, what key events happen in Philippi on Paul’s second missionary journey?

1. Lydia and her household converted

2. Demon cast out of the slave girl

3. Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail

4. Jailer and household saved

How does Philippi’s identity as a “Roman colony” shape the message of the book of Philippians?

Shows how the Philippians see so much emphasis on Roman citizenship, but they are more of a citizen in Heaven

What is a synagogue?

A place of worship

Describe its function within ancient Judaism?

Was a place to gether people together to worship, to hear the Scriptures, like a Jewish community center

Why does Paul have a strategy of first going to a synagogue in a new town?

The Jews were the best prepared to hear the Christian message and the Gentiles would go to the Jews to hear the gospel

How does a Paul get such a ready hearing?

He is highly educated who knows the scriptures inside and out and was trained as a rabbi under Gamaleo, who was well-known

What evidence suggests that Paul stays in Thessalonica longer than three weeks?

Philippians says that the people of Philippi sent Paul multiple gifts. Paul was also working hard in Thessalonica, so he needed to set up shop. There were also Jewish converts who appeared.

What does “Christ” mean (see Acts 17:3’s “This Jesus… is the Christ”)?

Not Jesus’ last name, a title equivalent to Messiah

What is surprising about Paul’s teaching about the Christ?

Jews thought that the Messiah would rule over the whole world, but they didn’t get that He would suffer and die first and the coming of the Messiah came in two parts

What is the most likely explanation for the Jews in Thessalonica attacking Jason’s house?

The early early church most likely met at Jason’s house

What was the “imperial cult”?

You are giving divine honors to the emperor as though he were a god

What was Athens like when Paul visited?

The glory days had passed, but it still had a reputation and a lot of respect. It was also a city full of idols.

What specific groups of people did Paul engage in Athens?

In the synagogue with Jews and devout people (Gentile God fearers)

In the marketplace with Gentiles

Epicurean and Stoic philosophers

What accusation do the Athenian philosophers direct toward Paul?

That Paul was a preacher of foreign divinities

What other famous person did the Athenians direct this accusation to?

Socrates

What did the Greek philosophers seem to understand “Jesus and the Resurrection” to refer to?

They understand Jesus to be a deity

And anastasis (resurrection) to be a deity

What is the Areopagus?

A place and people

Place- the hill of Ares

A group of people- their highest part of government (council)

How would Paul’s speech to the Athenian philosophers both be appealing to them and potentially offend them?

Appeal - compliments them on their religiousness to their gods and he cites from their own poets.

Offend - “In him we live and have our being” Paul said (that we are created beings of God), implies they are ignorant, Paul is calling them to repent, and the idea of someone being brought back to life went against their beliefs

What was the outcome of Paul’s speech?

Some mocked him, others heard him out.

Why is Corinth geographically unusual?

Its an isthmus - a narrow strip of land with water on both sides connecting two larger areas of land

How did Corinth being an isthmus shape it’s identity?

Corinth was very wealthy because it was a crossroads of the Mediterranean world.

Why did Aquila and Pricilla leave Rome?

Claudius ordered all Jews to leave Rome because they were making disturbances about Christ

Why would Corinth appeal to them as a place to escape?

They were most likely Roman citizens and Corinth was a Roman colony, they were business people and Corinth is a good place to be in business, and it was a good place to share the Gospel

By what occupation did Paul support himself financially?

Paul was a tentmaker (leather worker)

What advantages and disadvantages did a tentmaker have?

Advantages - very mobile trade, Paul was able to talk as he worked

Disadvantages - a tentmaker’s status was not very high

Paul worked becaue he wanted to show how the Gospel is free and he did not need his listeners to provide for him

Why would Paul have been happy to make the acquaintance of Aquila and Priscilla?

They were Christians, they were Jews, they might have been Roman citizens, and they were all tentmakers

What is significant about the Gallio Inscription for NT studies?

Gallio was in office for a short time so we can figure out what was happening in Paul’s life

How long was Paul in Corinth on his second missionary journey?

At least a year and a half

What was the significance of Cenchreae?

It’s a port of Corinth

What notable Christian lived in Cenchreae and what key facts do we know about this Christian?

Phoebe lived there, the woman who took the book of Romans to the city of Rome

What letters does Paul write from Corinth?

Romans and 1 & 2 Thessalonians