PAUL'S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS: TROAS
(Message by Tanny Keng)
Ruins of an Arch (Therme) in the city
Ruins of an Arch (Therme) in the city
1. Why did God TWICE stop his evangelistic plans before leading him to the city?
a) Troas, known today as Eski Stambul, is a Greek city located on the Aegean Sea near the northern tip of Turkey's western coast. Around 306 B.C. Antigonus (one of Alexander the Great's generals who, after his death, began the Antigonid dynasty of rule) refounded the city. Troas, as a ancient reference, referred not only to the city itself but also to the surrounding district. As such, it eventually expanded to take up an estimated 1,000 acres (400 hectares).
b) As the chief port of northwest Asia Minor, the city prospered in Roman times, becoming a Roman "free city" as early as 188 B.C. After the city became 'free' it began to strike a vast quantity of its own coins. In its heyday the city may have had a population of about 100,000. The Roman Emperor Trajan (reigned 98 to 117 A.D.) built an aqueduct in the area. Remains of an ancient bath and gymnasium complex have also been discovered in the Troas area. Constantine the Great, who ruled the Roman Empire from 306 to 337 A.D., considered making the city his capital.
c) The apostle Paul visited Troas during his second (49 to 52 A.D.) and third (53 to 58 A.D.) missionary journeys. While traveling through Asia during his second journey he finds himself in the city when God TWICE forbids him to evangelize certain areas (Acts 16). While wondering what to do next, God gives Paul a vision of a man in Macedonia (Greece) begging him for help. As a side note, although some Bible commentaries state the man Paul saw was an angel in the form of a human, this is mere speculation and is void of Biblical proof.
d) Immediately after the vision Paul and his friends board a ship and travel to Neapolis (modern day Kavala), which is a major seaport located in eastern Macedonia. God uses the city as a launching area from which His truth can spread to the European continent.
e) During his third missionary journey the apostle and his traveling companions visit the city for several days. Wanting to stay in the city a few more hours to teach, he sends his friends (which include Luke) to Assos by boat. The sea journey to Assos is about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers).
f) After preaching for a few more precious hours Paul walks from Troas to Assos, a land trip of about 21 miles (33.8 kilometers). He meets up with his traveling companions in Assos where they all board a ship to Mitylene (Acts 20).
The End ...
a) Troas, known today as Eski Stambul, is a Greek city located on the Aegean Sea near the northern tip of Turkey's western coast. Around 306 B.C. Antigonus (one of Alexander the Great's generals who, after his death, began the Antigonid dynasty of rule) refounded the city. Troas, as a ancient reference, referred not only to the city itself but also to the surrounding district. As such, it eventually expanded to take up an estimated 1,000 acres (400 hectares).
b) As the chief port of northwest Asia Minor, the city prospered in Roman times, becoming a Roman "free city" as early as 188 B.C. After the city became 'free' it began to strike a vast quantity of its own coins. In its heyday the city may have had a population of about 100,000. The Roman Emperor Trajan (reigned 98 to 117 A.D.) built an aqueduct in the area. Remains of an ancient bath and gymnasium complex have also been discovered in the Troas area. Constantine the Great, who ruled the Roman Empire from 306 to 337 A.D., considered making the city his capital.
c) The apostle Paul visited Troas during his second (49 to 52 A.D.) and third (53 to 58 A.D.) missionary journeys. While traveling through Asia during his second journey he finds himself in the city when God TWICE forbids him to evangelize certain areas (Acts 16). While wondering what to do next, God gives Paul a vision of a man in Macedonia (Greece) begging him for help. As a side note, although some Bible commentaries state the man Paul saw was an angel in the form of a human, this is mere speculation and is void of Biblical proof.
d) Immediately after the vision Paul and his friends board a ship and travel to Neapolis (modern day Kavala), which is a major seaport located in eastern Macedonia. God uses the city as a launching area from which His truth can spread to the European continent.
e) During his third missionary journey the apostle and his traveling companions visit the city for several days. Wanting to stay in the city a few more hours to teach, he sends his friends (which include Luke) to Assos by boat. The sea journey to Assos is about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers).
f) After preaching for a few more precious hours Paul walks from Troas to Assos, a land trip of about 21 miles (33.8 kilometers). He meets up with his traveling companions in Assos where they all board a ship to Mitylene (Acts 20).
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