Alexandria Troas, Paul’s first recorded visit to Troas occurs during his second missionary journey. After traveling through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, Paul and his companions were “kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia” (Acts 16:6). They then attempted to enter Bithynia, but “the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them” (Acts 16:7). Consequently, they traveled to Troas, where Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). This vision was a divine directive, prompting Paul and his companions to set sail for Macedonia, thus marking the beginning of the Gospel’s spread into Europe.
Alexandria Troas, Paul’s second visit to Troas is recorded during his third missionary journey. After spending time in Ephesus and traveling through Macedonia and Greece, Paul returned to Troas. Acts 20:6-12. During this visit, Paul engaged in an extended teaching session on the first day of the week, which continued until midnight. It was during this gathering that Eutychus, a young man, fell asleep and subsequently fell from a third-story window. Paul went down, embraced him, and declared, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him” (Acts 20:10). Eutychus was miraculously restored to life, and Paul continued speaking until daybreak before departing.
Paul walked here
Philippi: The Apostle Paul visited Philippi around 49-50 AD and founded one of the first Christian communities in Europe there. His Letter to the Philippians in the New Testament is addressed to this community. Lydia, the first European convert to Christianity, was baptized near Philippi.
Philippi, 13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Church in PhilippiPaul would have walked hereChurch in Philippi
Philippi, In Acts 16:16-39 Paul and Silas in Prison. This is a story that serves to remind us that God does a sense of humor. 16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
The Conversion of the Jailer
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Pauls Prison in Philippi
Paul and Silas are Released
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. 40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Kavala, also known as the ancient city of Neapolis (Acts 16:11), was where Paul came with his disciples Silas and Timothy from Troas. Since Kavala was the first European city to adopt Christianity, it was named Hristoupolis.
Baptistry of Lydia – The Baptistery of Saint Lydia is a modern, octagonal Greek Orthodox church and open-air monument near ancient Philippi, Greece, marking the site where the Apostle Paul is believed to have baptized Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe (Acts 16). Located on the Zygaktis River bank, it features mosaics and hosts baptisms. Built in 1974, it commemorates the first documented baptism on the European continent, occurring around 49-50 AD and is still used for baptism’s today.
Bergama is an ancient Mycenaean city on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visit the Acropolis, where the library once held 200,000 books, and the Asklepion, a treatment centre founded in the name of the god of health, Asklepios. The Acropolis of Pergamum is situated on a hill where some of the most magnificent structures of the Pergamon Kingdom are located, including the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Trajan, the famous Library, the Pergamon Theatre, and palace ruins.
Pergamon Church, referred to in the Bible as “The Compromising Church” (Rev 2:12-17), is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Although the city benefited from immense wealth, in the Book of Revelation, the risen Christ instructs John to convey that the people of Pergamon, the site of “Satan’s Throne”, needed to repent (Rev 2:13-16).
Red Basilica, originally built as a massive Roman temple dedicated to Egyptian gods, later became one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, symbolizing its transformation into an early Christian site. Continue to Çanakkale via ancient Troy
Troy is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is 27 km away from Çanakkale. We will visit the real-life location of the legendary Trojan War described in Homer’s Iliad. Visit the Troy Museum, where ancient ruins, city walls, and the legendary, iconic wooden horse are exhibited, alongside modern and rich ancient artefacts.
Philadelphia, now called Alaşehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church that wasn’t censored. There, we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit high arch and some 11th-century frescoes.
Salihli (Sardis). This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church. We will visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which was turned into a Byzantine Church. We will also see the restored Sardis Gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. The church at Sardes had a few devoted members, but it was essentially a dead church (Revelation 3: 1,4).
The Christian community of Smyrna, mentioned in the Book of Revelation by the Apostle John, was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor.
Smyrna is the second city in the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation to receive messages from St. John (Rev. 1:11;2:8). We will observe the remains of basilicas and architectural works from the Roman period. Visit the oldest church in Izmir, the Saint Polycarp Church, where the bishop of Smyrna and a student of St. John was martyred in the 2nd century
Our friend Jack suggested we add a stop in Colossae today and it was spectacular but not excavated yet So there’s so much to learn still.
Laodicea: One of the Seven Churches (Rev 3:14-22), famously “lukewarm” (neither cold nor hot) and rebuked for spiritual complacency and wealth. It was a prosperous banking/medical/textile center near Colossae and Hierapolis (Paul mentions Laodicea in Colossians 4:13-16). The church was advised to buy “gold refined in the fire,” white garments, and eye salveSo there’s so much to learn still.
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Hierapolis. Here, we will visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip, where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by the Roman Emperor Domitian. We will also see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Street,the ancient 2nd-centuryRoman Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, and the Necropolis. Walk around the grave monuments built to honour heroes. Each tomb is a miniature work of art telling a different story.
Laodicea, which hosted the Laodicean Church, is another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. We will see the ancient theatre, the remains of a basilica, and a glorious ancient city. Laodicea thrived as a major centre of worship for the pagan goddess Aphrodite for about 500 years after Christ. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3: 14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, “You are neither cold nor hot” (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs.
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Known as “The Corrupt Church” (Rev 2:18-29) in the Bible, is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Exploring the ancient ruins in Akhisar (Thyatira) and learning about the, struggles and preservation of their faith. [Rev. 1:11; 2:18 – 24; Acts 16:14]. Paul’s sermons in Philippi, Macedonia, mention Akhisar (Thyatira) and the church there..
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
More.
Thyatira Church, known as “The Corrupt Church” (Rev 2:18-29) in the Bible, is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. While exploring the ancient ruins in Akhisar, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the provincial Christian community’s struggles and preservation of their faith. [Rev. 1:11; 2:18 – 24; Acts 16:14]. Paul’s sermons in Philippi, Macedonia, mention Akhisar (Thyatira) and the church there.
Smyrna Church, one of the Seven Churches where the Apostle John relays God’s promise: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10). Smyrna is the second city of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation to receive a message from St. John, which was specifically addressed to Smyrna. (Rev. 1:11;2:8), and known in the Bible as “The Persecuted Church” (Rev 2:8-11), mentioned as one of the Seven Churches in Asia Minor in the Book of Revelation. .
Thyatira (modern Akhisar): One of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev 2:18-29), addressed as the “corrupt church.” Lydia, a seller of purple goods from Thyatira, was Paul’s first European convert (Acts 16:14). The message warns against tolerating false teaching (symbolized by “Jezebel”). 2 Kings 9:22, Revelation 2:20
We enjoyed an amazing breakfast at the Barcelo Hotel and then headed first to Tokkapi Palace. Lunch was a spectacular spread of Turkish delights. As we visit Anatolia as a region we learned that 97% of the area is modern Turkey and is Asia Minor. Today there are 86 million people in Turkey with about 16 million specifically in Istanbul also known in biblical times as Constantinople.
Topkapı Palace, home to many Ottoman sultans (15th-19th century AD). Here, you will see the legacy of the Ottoman sultans, which includes the Imperial Treasury, gold objects, the famous Spoonmaker’s Diamond, swords, vases, the sultans’ clothing, and war tools decorated with precious stones and diamonds. Note: The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday; instead, visit the Archaeology Museum..
Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage site (Saint Sophia), was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D. Beautiful mosaics and frescoes depicting Christian icons and Byzantine Emperors will be on display.
Blue Mosque, which features six beautiful minarets. Built in the 17th century, it takes its name from more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles used for interior decoration.
Then, we will stroll the historic Hippodrome Square, which was used as a meeting place for chariot races during the Byzantine period. Here, we will see the Serpent Column from Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.
Grand Bazaar, which boasts over 4,000 shops filled with hidden treasures and authentic items
This blog follows the Apostle Paul’s footsteps on his 3 missionary journeys. These details draw from the Bible (primarily Acts, Revelation, and Pauline epistles) and early Christian tradition.
We arrived after more than 24 hours of travel safely in Istanbul at 5:45 PM. Lynn and Jack arrived about an hour after us and we met up at the hotel, with our guide for tomorrow. And then we went for a short walk and had some wonderful Turkish salads for dinner. It was a quiet evening we were all pretty tired I don’t think any of us slept more than maybe three hours on the journey. Tomorrow is Sunday, April 26 and here is just a snapshot of where we’re headed …..
Day 1: Istanbul
Istanbul (ancient Constantinople/Byzantium): Hagia Sophia (built 6th century by Emperor Justinian) was one of the greatest churches in Christendom for nearly 1,000 years before becoming a mosque. It symbolizes the early Christian Byzantine Empire. The tour also visits sites like the Hippodrome with Byzantine relics. While not directly tied to specific New Testament events, it represents the later flourishing of Christianity in the region. We will also visit the the Blue Mosque.
