PAUL'S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS: NEAPLOLIS

(Message by Tanny Keng)

Roman Aqueduct

1.What important role did the city play in bringing the gospel, for the first time, to Europe?

a) Neapolis (which in Greek means "new city"), known today as the modern city of Kavala, was and still is a very important Grecian seaport located in eastern Macedonia. It is situated on the Bay of Kavala and is located less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Philippi, which was the first European church started by Paul. Neapolis was founded by settlers from Thassos around the 6th century B.C. in order to take advantage of nearby gold and silver deposits, especially those located in the Pangaion mountain. Neapolis began to make its own silver coins after its declared independence from Thassos at the end of the 6th century. It is believed the city may have also been referred to as Datum, which was famous for its gold mines.

b) Neapolis was a member of both the first and second Athenian confederacy (sometimes referred to as the Athenian (Delian) League). Although besieged, in 411 B.C., by both the Thassians and the army of Sparta at the same time, the city continued its support of the Athens-led confederacy. Neapolis was commended twice by the Athenians for its loyalty.

c) The League's purpose, with Athens at the head, was to continue battling Persia's Empire after the Battle of Plataea. The battle, a victory for the Greeks, occured during the Greco - Persian Wars (which ran from 499 to 449 B.C.). The city was also part of the Ottoman Empire from 1387 to 1912 A.D.

d) The Apostle Paul went through the city at least three times during his missionary journeys. He went through the city during his second missionary journey when God, through a vision in Troas, conveyed to the apostle that he needed to preach the gospel in Europe. Neapolis was the gateway God chose to bring his truth, for the first time, to the European continent. He also went through the city twice during his third missionary journey.

The End ...