Category Archives: New Testament

Black Sea coastal town of Sinop

Posted on May 23, 2012 | 1 comment

We drove the 100 miles from Samsun to Sinop today. The distance on the road map is deceptive. about one half of the distance is in serious mountain territory. The drive took three hours each way. We had a 6:15 p.m. flight from Samsun to Istanbul, so our time was limited. The drive was educational and helped us to understand some things we had only read about before.

I don’t have the time to explain the reasons for going to this town, except to say that it is in the region of the ancient Roman province of Pontus (1 Peter 1:1).

Later I hope to show you some photos and explain the importance of the town to the study of Peter’s epistles.

Homeward bound tomorrow after a great (nearly) four weeks in Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.

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Pontus and Peter’s Epistles

Posted on May 22, 2012 | 4 comments

Pontus is mentioned only three times in the New Testament.

  • Devout Jews were present in Jerusalem from Pontus on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9). Some of these individuals who accepted the message of Peter on Pentecost might later have been the recipients of his letters.
  • Aquila was a native of Pontus. He had moved to Rome, but being ordered to leave by the Emperor Claudius he came to Corinth where he, along with his wife Priscilla, met Paul (Acts 18:2).
  • Peter addressed his epistles to Christians residing in five different Roman provinces, including Pontus.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen (1 Peter 1:1 NAU)

Scholars suggest that the order of the Roman provinces is indicative of the order in which Peter’s epistle was delivered by the messenger. Colin Hemer argues for Amasus (Amisos) as the starting point on the Black Sea coast for the messenger. Amisos is now identified with the Turkish city of Samsun, a prosperous town of over half a million inhabitants (“The Address of 1 Peter.” Expository Times, 89:239-243). Mark Wilson agrees (Bibical Turkey, 338).

The photo below was made from the harbor of Samsun. The hill in the distance marks the ancient acropolis of Amisos.

Harbor at Samsun with acropolis of ancient Amisos. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Harbor at Samsun with acropolis of ancient Amiisos, Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Even the Romans brought their armies to this region of Asia Minor through the ancient port city of Amisos. This was much easier than traveling overland.

Amisos is mentioned under the same Sampsames in the Apocrypha book of 1 Maccabees 15:23 (RSV).

Tomorrow we hope to visit the Pontic city of Sinop (Sinope), about 100 miles west of Amisos.

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Myra in Lycia, and other places

Posted on May 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

Myra was a town of Lycia about 85 miles from Antalya, Turkey (biblical Attalia, Acts 14:25). The town is located a few miles away from the Mediterranean, but has a port at nearby Andriake. When Paul was being escorted by a Roman centurion from Caesarea Maritima to Rome, the ship sailed along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, and landed at Myra in Lycia (Acts 27:5). There they found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy.

Whether Paul was close enough to see any of Myra we do not know. There are several interesting things that could have been seen. My only previous visit to Myra was in 1987. I mention this to say that it was before the days of digital photos. One of the reasons to come back was to make digital photos.

Here is a photo of the house-type tombs in the rock cliffs at Myra dating from the 4th century B.C.

Fourth century rock cut tombs at Myra, Turkey. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Fourth century rock cut tombs at Myra, Turkey. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

In the past two days we have also visited Patara, Bodrum (the Mausoleum of King Mausolus of Caria), and Xanatos. In addition, we have learned much more about the travel conditions on sea and land during our travels.

Last evening we were unable to access the Internet, but tonight we have a nice signal at our hotel near Patara. Tomorrow will be a traveling day as we move from the Mediterranean coast to the Black Sea coast of Turkey.

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From Cyprus to Pamphylia

Posted on May 18, 2012 | 3 comments

Today we took a flight from Ercan Airport in the Turkish Republic of Cyprus to Turkey. Flying from Greece to Cyprus it was necessary to fly to Larnaca on the southern coast. Flights from Larnaca do not go to Turkey, and flights from Ercan do not go to Greece. Let’s put that aside for now.

The flight from Cyprus to Antalya (biblical Attalia) took about 45 minutes. I thought some about how Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark made their way from Paphos on Cyprus to Perga in Pamphylia (a few miles from the Antalya airport). The distance in a straight line is 185 miles. Here is Luke’s account of the journey.

Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,  but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia.  (Act 13:13-14a ESV)

There are impressive Hellenistic and Roman ruins at Perga. Most of the Roman structures date to the second century A.D. This is where John Mark turned back from the work (Acts 13:13-14; 15:37-39). The text indicates that Perga was only a beginning point for work further north. On his return from the first journey, Paul spent some time preaching here (Acts 14:25).

Our plans do not include revisiting sites that we have recently visited, but here is a photo of the North-South street in the Agora of Perga. The view is toward the fountain at the head of the street. A local vendor spreads out her jewelry on the ancient street.

Perga in Pamphylia. N-S street in the Agora with a view toward the fountain. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

N-S street in the Perga agora with view toward the fountain. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

When we arrived at the Antalya International Airport I soon realized that we had come to the right place. The snack stand was named Cafe Pampilya. How appropriate.

Cafe Pamfilya in the Antalya International Airport. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Cafe Pamfilya in the Antalya International Airport. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Tonight we are staying on the Mediterranean Sea on the west side of Antalya (Acts 14:25). Antalya is the modern name for Attalia which served as the port of entry from Egypt and Syria to the interior of Asia. From here Paul sailed back to Antioch (Acts 14:25).

We have a nice view of the Lycian Mountains from our hotel balcony. Tomorrow we plan to drive along the coast to Myra (Acts 27:5) and other points west.

Lycian Mountains west of Antalya, Turkey. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Lycian Mountains west of Antalya, Turkey. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Two week ago when I was in Turkey with the group, it was about 5-7 degrees warmer than usual. Today it has rained and the wind is cool.

A post I wrote about Perga and Attalia in 2007, in the early days of this blog, may be read here.

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Salamis was the first stop for Barnabas and Saul

Posted on May 17, 2012 | 2 comments

Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit from Antioch. Their first stop after leaving the port of Seleucia was Salamis on the eastern coast of Cyprus. Here is Luke’s account.

When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. (Act 13:5 ESV)

It is interesting to note that there are no accounts of conversions at Salamis. The city had a large Jewish population during the Roman period.

Why go to Cyprus? These facts might provide some suggestions.

  • Well, it was east of Antioch, and a first step toward going to the Gentiles.
  • It was also the home of Barnabas (Acts 4:36).
  • After the stoning of Stephen some had traveled to Cyprus preaching to the Jews (Acts 11:19).
  • Some men of Cyprus had come to Antioch preaching to the Hellenists (Greeks) (Acts 11:20).

Salamis is now located in the the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, or as the folks in the south say, “the occupied territory.” This photo shows some of the foundation stones of the harbor where Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark landed. Breakwaters extend for some distance into the sea.

Ferrell Jenkins at the ancient port of Salamis.

Ferrell Jenkins at the ancient port of Salamis. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

We visited the gymnasium. Not to workout. Our workout came from walking over the large site. This gym was build in the time of the Roman Emperor Augustus.

Salamis Roman gymnasium built in the time of Roman Emperor Augustus. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Salamis Roman gymnasium built in the time of Roman Emperor Augustus. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

When I see one of these gymnasiums or palestras (exercise areas) I am reminded of what Paul wrote to Timothy:

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8 ESV)

A short distance from Salamis is the Church of St. Barnabas. The church is now a museum of icons. Many traditions have grown up in Cyprus about Barnabas.

In the afternoon we returned to Nicosia and made a stop at the Cyprus (Archaeology) Museum. They have a nice collection of artifacts, including some of the statues from Salamis, but photos are not allowed. Museum’s often do not allow photographs in hope of selling more books in the gift shop. Allowing photos provides an opportunity for teachers and others to talk about their visit with others. It actually encourages others to visit the museum. Too bad they don’t agree with me.

This photo is a collection of statues from Cyprus in the Louvre.

Cyprus collection from the fifth century B.C. in the Louvre. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Cyprus collection from the fifth century B.C. displayed in the Louvre, Paris. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

It was a good day.

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Saul came to be known as Paul at Paphos, Cyprus

Posted on May 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

On the first missionary journey, Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark, traveled through Cyprus from Salamis to Paphos on the southwestern coast of Cyprus. The following events involving these men took place there (Acts 13:6-13)

  • They found a Jewish magician, a false prophet, named Bar-Jesus, meaning Elymas. He tried to turn Sergius Paulus away from listening to Saul and Barnabas.
  • Paul resisted the efforts of Elymas to turn aside Sergius Paulus from the faith. Elymas was blinded.
  • Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man who served as proconsul, believed the Word.
  • Saul also came to be known as Paul. This is the name he would use throughout his ministry to the Gentiles.
  • From this time on, Paul became the lead man in the work that was being done.
  • Paul and his companions set sail for Perga in Pamphylia.

Tuesday afternoon and evening, and Wednesday morning, I visited Paphos. The harbor used by Paul and Barnabas is today a harbor used for pleasure boats and fishing boats. Tuesday afternoon the town was filled with tourists. I though a lot about the events we have listed above.

The harbor at Paphos. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The harbor at Paphos. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The archaeological park is large, but only a small portion of it has been excavated by archaeologists.

The most impressive items at the site are the numerous houses with elaborate mosaics. These houses began to be built in the 2nd century A.D. and continued in use until the 7th century.

Paphos was an important city during the Hellenistic period., and into the Roman period. The few structures dating to the time of Paul (or earlier) include the Asklepion, the odeion, and the Roman agora which still needs to be excavated.

The photo below shows the odeion. The lighthouse of Paphos in the background is of recent origin, but is built upon Roman foundations.

The Odeion at Paphos. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Odeion at Paphos. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

My friend, Leon, was able to join me by this afternoon. Tonight we are in Nicosia, Cyprus.

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1400 year old olive press excavated

Posted on May 15, 2012 | 4 comments

The Israel Antiquities Authority announces the discovery of a 1400 year old olive press at Modi’in. According to a brief article in Arutz Sheva,

A statement by the IAA called the press the grandest and most complete one found so far.

Archaeologist Hagit Torgë, who is directing the dig, said the press, which was used to produce industrial quantities of oil for food and light, about 1,400 years ago, “was preserved surprisingly intact with all its components.”

1400 year old olive press at Modi'in. Credit: Hagit Torgë, Israel Antiquities Authority.

Olive press at Modi’in. Credit: Hagit Torgë, Israel Antiquities Authority.

Click on the photo for a hi-res image.

Olives are mentioned in the Bible from Genesis (8:11) to Revelation (18:13), and are still important in many parts of the world.

HT: Joseph Lauer

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Lands, Bible Study, Culture, Israel, New Testament, Old Testament

Group departs for home after two weeks of study in Turkey and Greece

Posted on May 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

About noon today our group of travelers departed from the Athens International Airport for the USA and their various residences. One couple from Canada left earlier in the day. Others will be traveling to Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon, and perhaps a few other states that do not come to mind at the moment.

Yesterday morning Steve Niemeier, a minister from Indiana, spoke during our worship period. He mentioned some of the things he had learned on this tour. It was not his first time to travel to foreign lands, but his first organized tour to some of the Bible lands. He said that previously the places we visited, such as Ephesus, Colossae, Patmos, Corinth, et al. had been places on a map, but that now they were places in our mind. I thought that was a good way to express the value of tours like this for preachers, teachers, and other Bible students.

I have a few more places to visit before returning home. Perhaps we will be sharing some of those in the days to come.

The photo below is one that I took in at Corinth a couple of days ago. It is the Fountain of Peirene, Corinth’s most important reservoir with a capacity of over 81,000 gallons. The fountain was fed from subterranean springs. The fountain is no longer in use, but you can still hear the water flowing.

Fountain of Peirene at Ancient Corinth. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Fountain of Peirene at Ancient Corinth. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

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Paul worked 18 months at Corinth

Posted on May 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Paul first visited Corinth during his second preaching journey (A.D. 50-53; Acts 15:36-18:22). After facing opposition of his fellow Jews in Thessalonica and Berea, the brethren at Berea conducted him to the sea and to Athens, the intellectual capital of the Greco-Roman world.

Paul was alone in Athens, but he had sent for Timothy and Silas to come to him immediately from Berea. After what might be considered limited success at Athens, Paul continued to Corinth in the Peloponnesus. Paul stayed at Corinth for 18 months according to Luke’s account in Acts 18.

During that time he was brought before Gallio. The site of this encounter was likely before the bema, the judgement-seat, in the agora. The photo reflects one of the important things we saw today at Corinth. The foundation of the bema is seen in the left of the photo. The Acrocorinth, the high point of the city, is in the distance.

Corinth. The Bema in the Agora. Acrocorinth in distance. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Bema in the Agora of Corinth. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Numerous changes are taking place all over Europe at popular tourist destinations. I first noticed it a few years ago when the bus driver had to park a distance from the center of activity in Salzburg, Austria. Everyone had to walk a considerable distance to reach the place where the walking normally began. Then I saw it in Florence and Rome. Now it is true in Athens and Corinth. Buses are required to drive a long distance out of the way to reach the parking at Corinth.

At the site we now see rope barriers preventing one from walking close to the columns of the Temple of Apollo, or approaching the Fountain of Peirene, or the Bema. I understand that these restricting are imposed by the European Union on their member states.

Visiting anywhere in the world takes longer than it did a few decades ago due to the tremendous increase in traffic.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Places, Bible Study, Greece, New Testament, Photography, Travel

Paul preached in Athens

Posted on May 11, 2012 | 1 comment

Our cruise ship, the Louis Cristal, arrived in Athens early this morning. After breakfast we disembarked and met our local tour operator and guide. Andi has guided my groups several times over the years, and I am pleased to have her with us. She divides her time each year between the USA and Greece.

We drove by the usual historical places in Athens, and stopped at the old Olympic stadium before going to the Acropolis.

Syntagma (Constitution) Square was clean and orderly; not at all the way it has been portrayed on American TV lately. I am not saying that the things shown on TV never happened, but that when the same video clips are shown over and over for many days it leaves the wrong impression.

I had hoped that the scaffolding and cranes used in the restoration of the Parthenon would be gone. Such was not the case. The only place I could get a photo without showing these things was from the back.

The back of the Parthenon in May, 2012. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The back of the Parthenon in May, 2012. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Parthenon, where the virgin goddess Athena was worshiped, was built between 447 and 438 B.C. It is still quite a building.

We also visited the Areopagos (Mar’s Hill), possibly the place where Paul delivered his speech on the Unknown God (Acts 17).

While the group went with the guide looking at some highlights in the Athens National Museum, I made some photos of the nice collection of Roman Emperors.

Below is a photo of the portrait head of the Emperor Claudius (A.D. 41-54) in Pentelic marble.The museum sign says,

The head is crowned with the corona civica (a wreath of oak leaves and acorns) tied with a ribbon.

The Roman Emperor Claudius in the Athens National Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Roman Emperor Claudius in the Athens National Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Paul’s visit to Athens and Corinth was during the reign of Claudius. In fact, the emperor is mentioned in Acts 18:2.

And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,

The great famine mentioned in Acts 11:28 also took place during the reign of Claudius.

We have plans to visit Corinth tomorrow.

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