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Asia – Let’s Not Go There – Acts 16
The importance of this juncture in Paul’s journey, now with Silas and Timothy, cannot be overemphasized as these apostles are sent out beyond Asia into all the world of Euro-Asia.
Asia – the BIG picture
Go into all the world GEOGRAPHY (remedial)
Asia Minor, Roman Remnant of a former Empire
The Empires Before Christ
356 BC – Macedonia
Alexander the Great
323 BC – 30BC – a Greek-ish Eurasia
AD 50 – Eurasia
Acts of the Apostles 16:
Asia – the BIG picture

Growing up geographically-challenged (as my 5th grade teacher surely would have confirmed) in a small village far distant from Paul’s missionary journeys I was CLUELESS when I read Luke’s lists of places in Acts.

Where were these cities? (Or were they states? Perhaps a province of some kind?)

And ASIA? (That’s confusing.)

Continents as I remembered (5? or 7?):
- North America (That’s US.)
- South America (Go toward Texas & keep going.)
- Europe (Cross the Atlantic like Europeans did & founded 13 colonies in America)
- Africa (everything south of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt and all those jungle places south where Europeans brought slaves to America.)
- Antarctica (it’s all ice and nobody lives there.. Is it the one on the South Pole or north?)
- Asia (Russia, from where Europe ends west to the Pacific & India, China, Japan along the Pacific
- Australia (How can an English island below Asia be called a continent?)
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C -
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Go into all the world GEOGRAPHY (remedial)

ASIA ~30% of land area of earth, part of Eurasia, ~17 million sq. miles
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Join me as I refresh some of my quite limited knowledge of geography - especially of Asia.
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Asia facts from WorldGeography.com
- Asia is the largest and most populated continent
- It shares land borders with Europe, which is not defined and hence share a landmass called Eurasia.
- Afro-Eurasia is the name given to the landmass between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
- Asia shares a lot of its extreme points with Europe, especially Russia.
Cape Dezhnev, 66°4′45″N 169°39′7″W, located on the Chukchi Peninsular, between the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Strait [W. of Alaska] , is the easternmost point of mainland Asia.

Pamana Island, 11°00′36″S 122°52′37″E, is the southernmost point of Asia, located in the Lesser Sunda Islands, East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia.

The northernmost point on the Asian mainland is Cape Chelyuskin, 77°44′0″N 104°15′0″E. At 1370km from the North Pole, ..located at the Taymyr Peninsula,

Westernmost Point In Asia
- Cape Baba, 39°28′47″N 26°03′50″E, located on the Anatolian part of Turkey, is the westernmost part of Asia. Located in Babakale village also known as Father’s Castle in historical Troad. Apostles Luke’s journey around the cape, and Apostle Paul’s journey on land are recorded in the biblical book Acts of the Apostles.
Troas on Cape Baba in Babakale, Turkey [Turkiye] is the westernmost point in Asia.

Asia Minor, Roman Remnant of a former Empire

Zoom in with Roman military eyes toward a vast empire to the east situated on the westernmost shores of Asia, fixing your eyes on adjacent Aegean shores of 21st c. Turkiye.
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This geographical-historical view of the Asia minor region is provided only for its context of culture as it intersects with Paul's missionary journeys 'into all the world' of Eurasia.
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Asia Minor

Follow the southern coastline from nearest to Rome toward the east and riches of former empires.

Rome’s region of ASIA MINOR
- conquered via the vast Mediterranean and inland to the Taurus mountains includes [W. to E.]:
- Pisidia [N. of Perga],
- Pamphylia [along a coast N. of Cypress],
- Cilicia [with its port city of Tarsus] and finally
- Syria (at times including Judea).
- Further Roman conquests inland to the north included:
a large Roman province of GALATIA
- N from Iconium and on its Western edge Antioch Pisidia, all of the central plain to the borders of
- a more remote Cappadocia in the mountains to the north of Cilicia and Tarsus and Antioch Syria,
- N to Bithynia and Pontus on the Black Sea and again toward
- Phrygia along the mountainous borders with Asia Minor toward Mysia and the strategically situated Sea of Marmara between the narrow isthmus connecting the Black and Aegean Seas.
In Roman times, however, when Paul journeyed there, the country was divided into two parts, one of which was known as Galatian Phrygia, and

the other as Asian Phrygia, because it was a part of the Roman province of Asia, but the line between them was never sharply drawn.
Source: BibleAtlas.org

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
– ACTS 16:6

The Empires Before Christ

6th century Before Christ

6th-5th centuries B,C. the Persian Empire (to the East) adds the Babylonian Empire to its captive provinces

Paul, Silas and Timothy will know these events well from Scripture, but those are no longer the Empires of concern to either the Jews or Rome. In a more recent history of Judea and Eurasia one vast Empire rivals all others.

356 BC – Macedonia
Alexander the Great

Tutored by Aristotle

trained for battle by his father, Philip II

source: History.com

Roman bust, 2nd century AD / Creative Commons license
[Alexander’s] undermanned defeat of the Persian King Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela is seen as one of the decisive turning points of human history, unseating the Persians as the greatest power in the ancient world and spreading Hellenistic culture across a vast new empire.
https://www.history.com/news/alexander-the-great-defeat-persian-empire

332 BC – Tyre: a siege of Hellenism close to home

The siege of Tyre was orchestrated by Alexander the Great in 332 BC during his campaigns against the Persians.
source: Wikipedia

The reign of Alexander the Great was short-lived. After subduing all of the Persian Empire, his army marched east and got as far as India before turning back home to Macedon. But he never made it home.

At just 32 years old, Alexander died in Persia in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon.

323 BC – 30BC – a Greek-ish Eurasia
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Click the link below to see a map of the Hellenized 'Greek-ish' world after Alexander the Great where the Apostle Paul now witnesses Christ. READ a detailed lecture on 
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https://brewminate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Alexander53-768×452.gif

There were no more city-states. Monarchies prevailed, modeling themselves after Alexander’s empire. He had achieved a divine status in his lifetime, and his successors wanted to as well. They established “ruler cults” in which they were obeyed as kings and worshipped as gods.

A sense of cosmopolis developed in the Hellenistic Age (“polis” plus “cosmos”). Worldly, experienced, and highly-cultured people used to live in small city-states and not worry about the world beyond, but now they had seen and even ruled this world and began to say they were no longer citizens of Athens, Corinth, and so on, but instead citizens of the cosmic polis (cosmopolis), the world.
Highly Recommended Source – From a lecture by Dr. Frank Holt, Professor of Ancient History, University of Houston (10.15.2013)

Paul and the Apostles sent out into all the world live in the crossroads between a culture of Alexander established just a few centuries earlier AND ambitious Roman Caesars reconquering lands and cultures to be absorbed into a new Pax Romana — IF you will surrender your land and its people into one international Empire of their Roman peace.

AD 50 – Eurasia

The year in the middle of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey.

Rome had conquered the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt near Judea some time ago, but the Empire’s military defense of the Eastern front in Syria kept close eye on the Parthian Empire and frequently engaged in battle losing and retaking various land.

A Greek-ish in culture of the Eurasian world remained reticent of Roman Legions suppressing unwilling rulers in uncooperative localities.

Politically astute men like a Herod or Saul of Tarsus understood this ever-shifting landscape of living as part of the political leadership and military power of the Roman Empire.

Paul would have been attuned to recent changes in both Asia and Europe as the Apostle now travels toward a new destination with Silas and Timothy. They seem to be travelling intentionally and slowly (which we might easily miss in these few brief verses of Acts.

AD 43 – During those years after Paul had witnessed Jesus on the road to Damascus, just four years prior to his first missionary journey here and to Cypress, Rome had invaded Britannia in the West. Legions had also conquered Lycia on the SW coast near Asia Minor where previously they had sailed to and from Perga.

Lycia Source: Wikipedia

AD 46 – Just a year prior to Paul’s first missionary journey

After the death of the Thracian king Rhoemetalces III in 46 AD and an unsuccessful anti-Roman revolt, the kingdom was annexed as the Roman province of Thracia. The new province encompassed .. the north-eastern portion of the province of Macedonia as well as the islands of Thasos, Samothrace and Imbros in the Aegean Sea.

Source: Wikipedia

Acts of the Apostles 16:
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Previously:
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Circumcision < Saul's Extreme Cultural Cut of Timothy

⁴As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. ⁵So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

These apostles sent out from Antioch Syria have traveled about half-way on this 2800 mile [4500 km] journey into a Greek-ish Roman-ruled world. Their remaining journey in Euro-Asia will include many more important cities where they will preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the upcoming year.

⁷And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. ⁸So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.

Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey – first half through Asia

Acts for a 21st c. Church

To be continued…
February 23, 2023
The gods have become like men
Idolatry – Men create their gods

Imagine an EMPIRE – like the powerful GREECE of Alexander the Great.

This map shows the vast empire conquered by Alexander the Great in red highlight. The extent of the empire is an approximation of 320 BC.
- The number of Greek gods may be more than 3000, with 1-4 dozen main gods including Zeus and other ‘family.’
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For a humorous look at the idol gods:
- visit this source about the god Hermes [pictured in NYC for this post] from godchecker.com 

Greek Mythology is a veritable blockbusting soap opera. What can Zeus possibly get up to next — and with whom? How will Hera take her next revenge? Where will Aphrodite discard her nightie? Who has been barred from Olympus lately — and why? When is the next big punch-up? And will Hermes be sued for selling counterfeit sheep? 
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Imagine an EMPIRE – like the powerful ROME of the Caesars.

Rome continually changed names of regions and borders they administered so some would have changed by AD 48 when Paul and Barnabas journeyed through the cities of the Taurus Mountains and yet again by the time Luke published Acts of the Apostles ~AD 62.
- The multitudes of Roman gods include Jupiter as head of a dozen deities similar to several gods and goddesses of Greek mythology plus ancient gods and goddesses of captive cultures inclusively embraced in exchange for a Pax Roma.
Julius Caesar was the first Roman leader to be called “god” and “savior,” which became dominant phrases in Roman Imperial theology.

The idea behind these lofty titles was that while the Roman Republic collapsed in the first century BC, Julius Caesar but mostly his son Caesar Augustus resurrected Rome from the dead.
Καισαρ Source for more interesting background – ABARIM Publications

Imagine a 21st century EMPIRE – like THE UNITED STATES or others.

Let Us Beat Swords Into Ploughshares is a bronze sculpture by artist Evgeniy Vuchetich (1908 ¬– 1974). Vuchetich was an esteemed Soviet sculptor and artist well-known for his heroic monuments.

It stands outside the U.N. Building in New York City, United States of America as another empire wield their swords once more to destroy the plowshares of their enemies. – RH

Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

– Joel 3:10-11 KJV

Micah 4:2 וְֽהָלְכוּ גּוֹיִם רַבִּים וְאָֽמְרוּ לְכוּ וְנַעֲלֶה אֶל־הַר־יְהוָה וְאֶל־בֵּית אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב וְיוֹרֵנוּ מִדְּרָכָיו וְנֵלְכָה בְּאֹֽרְחֹתָיו כִּי מִצִּיּוֹן תֵּצֵא תוֹרָה וּדְבַר־יְהוָה מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃

And he [the LORD] shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. – Micah 4:3 KJV

Idolatry – Quick U-turns by Men claiming gods

So you say that idolatry such as that Paul and Barnabas encountered in Lystra over two millennia ago no longer exists.
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Look a bit closer, you who have thus far survived 21st century multitudes of celebrity leader gods and goddesses who wield the swords of godless tongues and imagery of gods against the crowds they would overcome.
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~48 AD

The Lame Walk a Sign from God

Previously in Acts 14:8-10, a miracle of God in Lystra through Paul and Barnabas.

Acts of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas continued

“The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and was wanting to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

The Statue of Zeus 41 feet tall made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, Temple of Zeus, the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying,

“Men, why are you doing these things?

We are also men of the same nature as you, proclaiming the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM who in the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;

and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

WHAT has just happened?

Two Jewish travelers walk into a Lycaonian town in the mountains of Greece where most men are probably not educated philosophers, priests or Roman officials who know something of the Hebrews and their religion which holds to only ONE GOD, an inconceivable concept to pagans led to worship stone idols in grand temples built long ago in their town.

BUT, these two men perform a miracle which most certainly must be a sign from a MOST Powerful God of Heaven — to them, ZEUS.

Is this ZEUS IN PERSON?

IS THIS MAN in our midst a savior to be worshiped? (For he has done the impossible and we witnessed it.) We’ll go get this god’s priest from his temple at the gate of our city Lystra AND prepare a great sacrifice in honor of these two gods with us, Zeus and Hermes.

THEN these two strangers tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude and gods don’t stoop down to such things even IF they have come among us to have a mortal man stand.

SO these men who tricked us into thinking they were the gods Zeus and Hermes have told us to turn from OUR gods to their GOD.

And saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
Acts of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Lystra 14:18
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To be continued...
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November 18, 2022
Damascus Road: Witness into all the World
Witness from Jerusalem to Damascus

Of all places the Apostles would not have ever thought the risen Christ would anoint yet another Apostle, a road to Damascus likely would have been the last place to come to mind.

Jesus had led them to places beyond Galilee (now formally a part of Syria under the administration of Rome for the readers of ACTS) like Tyre and Sidon.

Jews had built synagogues in many cities of the Roman Empire. By the time Saul studies in Jerusalem and now pursues disciples of Jesus in his zeal for the LORD, the politics of Rome, Jerusalem and the major cities of Syria, Galilee, Samaria and Judea are not-so-delicately intertwined.

Syria Cilicia Phoenice

Damascus, of course, was of strategic importance to Rome in governing all of Syria including Jerusalem and the cities of the eastern Mediterranean.

Tarsus, Damascus & the eastern administrative shore of Syria under Rome

The Roman prefects / procurators of Judea were directly subordinate to the Syrian governor.
In particular, the Legate of Syria was the next authority in complaints against the governor of Judea, as can be seen from the lawsuit brought by the Jews against Pontius Pilate to Lucius Vitellius in AD 36 and the Samaritans brought before the legate Gaius in AD 51
source: List of Roman governors in Syria
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Returning now to Luke's account in Jerusalem on the day the Sanhedrin executed Stephen..
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ACTS of the Apostles 8:

Click above for translations in English, Ukrainian and Russian.

On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.

Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.

Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.
Дії 8 ACTS 8:3 CSB

ACTS 9:

שָׁאַל

..went to the high priest and asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus..

Meanwhile, in Damascus..

10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias..

Many Jews (including these Christian followers of the Way) lived in Damascus, a city with multiple synagogues. [v.2] These included a disciple named Ἰούδας [Judas, a common name of that time] [v.11].

From terrorizing Jews in Judea & Samaria to the road to Damascus

To the Roman Citizen born in Tarsus, Damascus will be a familiar stop along the roads from Jerusalem.

Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
Acts 9:4b NASB – JESUS to Saul of Tarsus along the road to Damascus

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.”
Acts of the Apostles 9:5b-6 NASB,
Response of the Lord to Saul of Tarsus with command for his leading into Damascus

7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

Prayer and Fasting

9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
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ACTS of an Apostle to the gentiles + to be continued...
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February 26, 2022