A lonely gate on an old Roman road, Sağlıklı village, Tarsus, Turkey
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Bilgi:
It was a sunny and very windy Sunday morning when I hit the road with my high school friend Violet going to the old roman road located at Sağlıklı village, Tarsus, which is 51 kms to the west of Adana. Many thanks to Violet who accompanied me on this chilly and windy Sunday morning.
Lise arkadaşım Violet ile 51 km batıda bulunanTarsus'un Sağlıklı köyündeki eski Roma yoluna doğru yola koyulduğumuzda güneşli ve çok rüzgarlı bir Pazar sabahıydı. Bu soğuk ve rüzgarlı Pazar sabahı bana katıldığı için Violet'e çok teşekkür ederim.
Music: Immortal by Zero Project
Gülek Boğazı - Cilician Pass & Roman Emperor Hadrian's Epigraph
Info in English:
Türkçe Bilgi:
Gülek Boğazı Yazıtı:
GÜLEK YAZITI
Ey Argos'u öldüren Mercurius Asası güçlü tanrılar ulağı,
çekirge bulutunu kaldır.Kutsal değneğinle halkların,
yörelerin üstünden.Heykelin var ya bu yerde,
Ekinler ürün versin diye,Sağaltıp kurtarman için,
Bu yerlere ve soylara iyilik et, yumuşa.
The road up and to the right hand side is the European Transient highway, connecting Europe to far East. (Old Silk Road).
I noticed a strange thing during this flight. The more I rode, the higher my drone was ascending without the control of my sticks. Then, I remembered I was riding on an inclined road downwards. :)
A Quick Tarsus Travel Guide | Tarsus, Turkey 2019 ????????
This is a short video going over my day trip from Mersin, Turkey to Tarsus, Turkey in January of 2019. During this trip I visited many biblical sites in Tarsus like the Seven Sleepers Cave and the Church of Saint Paul. I tried some of the famous Tarsus Hummus, took in the amazing 15th century architecture at Siptilli Carsisi (Siptilli Bazaar) and enjoyed a walk down the street of Old Tarsus.
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Tarsus: A Center of Culture and Learning
Watch the ninth episode of the series, The Quest for Answers: Looking for the First Followers of Christ in Turkey. In this ninth show, we visit the city of Tarsus, and learn about the birthplace of the Apostle Paul.
The Apostle Paul was a powerful instrument in God’s hands! Paul’s influence on Christianity, and indeed on world history is evident.
Tarsus to Derbe
Paul and Silas travel from Syrian Antioch to arrive at Paul's home town of Tarsus. From Tarsus, Paul and Silas travel up through the Cilician gates to Derbe, where they will meet up with Timothy.
Cilician Gates
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The Cilician Gates or Gülek Pass is a pass through the Taurus Mountains connecting the low plains of Cilicia to the Anatolian Plateau, by way of the narrow gorge of the Gökoluk River.Its highest elevation is about 1000m.The Cilician Gates have been a major commercial and military artery for millennia.In the early 20th century, a narrow-gauge railway was built through them, and today, the Tarsus-Ankara Highway passes through them.
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Cilician Gate Area - Gülek Boğazı Civarı
My sister's son Gökçen visited me at Tekir on his way to Mersin to join his mother and his family. We went to a fisherman's restaurant in the woods and then took another route to go back to Tekir. We found this beautiful area and could not resist to fly over. :)
My personal thoughts about the lyrics of this song which accompanied the video: Nothing is permanent in the whole universe. Everything is evolving and aging. The permanent is the conversion of energy to matter and from matter back to energy in billians of years. We all came alive from matter naked. And we are all destined to go back to our origin as naked as when we were born. The important thing for us is not our possessions but our friendship with our people and with the people of other nations. This is what will make our world civilization perpetual. ✌
Mersin'deki annesini ve ailesiyle buluşmak üzere yola çıkan yiğenim Gökçen Tekir'de beni ziyaret etti. Birlikte ormandaki bir balıkçı restoranına gittik ve geri dönüş yolunda Tekir'e dönmek için bir başka rota izledik. Bu güzel yeri bulduk ve havadan çekim yapmaya direnemedik. :)
Bu videoya eşlik eden şarkının sözleri hakkındaki düşüncelerim:
Evrendeki hiçbir şey devamlılık arzetmez. Herşey evrim sürecinden geçmekte ve yaşlanmaktadır. Devamlı olan ise milyarlarca yıldır enerjinin maddeye dönüşmesi ve tekrardan maddenin enerjiye dönüşmesidir. Madeden oluşan bizlerin hepsi bu hayata çıplak olarak geldikve hepimizin kaderi ilk doğduğumuz gibi bizleri sağlayan kaynağa çıplak olarak geri dönmek olacaktır. Bizler için önemli olan sahip olduklarımız değil, bizim ülkemizin insanlarıyla ve diğer ülkelerin insanlarıyla olan dostluğumuzdur. Bu yolla dünya medeniyetimiz ebedileşecektir. ✌
The Road to Damascus - Saul Takes his Journey
Saul takes his journey to Damascus. While on the road, Jesus appears to Saul. He is blinded by the event. Ananias restores Saul's sight. Saul is baptized.
Acts 22
1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
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Lampron is a castle near the town of Çamlıyayla in Mersin Province, Turkey.While part of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in the Middle Ages, the castle was known as Lampron and was the ancestral home of the Armenian Hethumid princes.Situated in the Taurus Mountains, the fortress guarded passes to Tarsus and the Cilician Gates.
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Selinus, Kingdom of Cilicia: Ten Tribers, Highways, Goat-hair Cloth for Tents (Tallitot)
The early settlers of Cilicia are held to have been Semitic Syrians and Phoenicians, settles from King Solomon’s northern tribes. Under the Persian Empire Cilicia was apparently governed by tributary native kings who bore a Hellenized name or the title of Syennesis, but it was officially included in the fourth satrapy by Darius.
The Great Highway from the west existed before Cyrus conquered Cilicia. On its long rough descent from the Anatolian plateau to Tarsus, it ran through the narrow pass between walls of rock called the Cilician Gates. After crossing the low hills east of the Pyramus it passed through a masonry (Cilician) gate, Demir Kapu, and entered the plain of Issus. From that plain one road ran southward through another masonry (Syrian) gate to Alexandretta, and thence crossed Mt. Amanus by the Syrian Gate, Beilan Pass, eventually to Antioch and Syria. Another road ran northwards through a masonry (Armenian) gate, south of Toprak Kale, and crossed Mt. Amanus by the Armenian Gate, Baghche Pass, to northern Syria and the Euphrates. By the last pass, which was apparently unknown to Alexander, Darius crossed the mountains prior to the battle of Issus. Both passes are short and easy and connect Cilicia Pedias geographically and politically with Syria rather than with Anatolia.
Cilicia has always been isolated (for the Ten Tribers) from its neighbours by land by its encircling mountains, save for these two famous mountain passes, the Syrian Gates, which offer an easy road to Antioch and the South, and the wonderful Cilician Gates, which open a road to central and western Asia Minor. Through these passes the armies and the pilgrims, the trade and the travel of the centuries have made their way.
Roman Cilicia exported the goats-hair cloth, called Cilicium, which was used to make tents (tallitot – Jewish prayer-shawls). Tarsus not far from Selinus was also the birthplace of the early Ten Triber missionary, tent (tallitot) maker, and author Rabbi Sha’ul (Paul), writer of 13 of the 27 books included in the New Testament.
Cilicia had numerous Ten Triber Believer communities and is mentioned six times in the Book of Acts and once in the Epistle to the Galatians (1:21).
Cilicia (the land of Celix) was a maritime province in the southeast of Asia Minor, bordering on Pamphylia in the west, Lycaonia and Cappadocia in the north, and Syria in the east. (Acts 6:9) Cilicia was from its geographical position the high road between Syria and the west; it was also the native country of Rabbi Sha’ul (birthplace Tarsus Acts 6:9), hence it was visited by him, firstly, soon after his conversion (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:21), and again in his second Ten Triber journey. (Acts 15:41)
The south-eastern province of Asia Minor, bounded north by the Taurus range, separating it from Cappadocia, Lycaonia, and Isauria, south by the Mediterranean, east by Syria, and west by Pamphylia. The western part had the appellation of Aspera, or rough; while the eastern was called Campestris, or level. This country was the province of Cicero when proconsul; and its chief town, Tarsus. Many Jews dwelt in Cilicia, and maintained frequent intercourse with Jerusalem. Rabbi Sha’ul himself may have taken part in the public discussion with Stephen, Acts 6:9 7:58. After his conversion he visited his native province, and established Synagogues, which were addressed in the letter of the council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:23. The Rabbi once afterwards made a missionary tour among these assemblies, his heart yearning to behold and to increase the Ten Tribers’ prosperity (Acts 15:36, 41).
Tarsus was one of its chief towns and the seat of a celebrated school of philosophy. Its luxurious climate attracted to it many Greek Danite residents after its incorporation with the Macedonian Empire. It was formed into a Roman province in 67 BC.
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A Significant Day in Tarsus
The year was 4 A.D. August was Caesar of the Roman Empire. The city was Tarsus, the capital of the Roman province of Cilicia, situated on the Cydnus River, in what is today southern Turkey, about ten miles north of the Mediterranean Sea. It was known throughout the Empire as a city of wealth and education. Its universities rivaled those of Athens, Greece and Alexandria, Egypt.
Just prior to Paul’s birth Caesar August declared Tarsus a “free city,” which meant that its current citizens and anyone subsequently born in the city had the distinction of being Roman citizens. That is undoubtedly what Paul was talking about when he said to the captain of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, “I was born a citizen” (Romans 22:28b, NKJV).
It was into this environment of wealth, education, and the unexpected privileges of citizenship that Paul was born to a devout Jewish couple from the tribe of Benjamin on a day sometime during late 4 A.D. That was a significant day at Tarsus, because that particular baby boy, uniquely designed by the hand of a Holy God, would become “Saul of Tarsus” whom his God would use to single-handedly change the course of world history by effectively preaching the “Good News” to the known world of his day!
I’m certain that if the city of Tarsus still existed today, there would be signs at the city limits on every major highway entering the city that would read: “Tarsus—birthplace of Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles.”
Near the end of his life, reflecting on the vast accomplishments God had made through him, Paul wrote, “The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day” (II Timothy 4:6b-8a, NKJV).
At the height of his ministerial success Paul described himself as “Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5, NIV).
The fact that Paul was “Circumcised on the eighth day” (Philippians 3:5a, NIV) clearly indicates that his parents were devout followers of the Jewish religion. In fact, he also testified that he was “A Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5e, NIV), which was one of the strictest sects among the Jews in regard to adherence to the Law of Moses. His parents would have taught him to be proud of his religious heritage. So, as an adult, Paul referred to himself as “A Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee” (Acts 23:6b, NKJV).
As devout Jews Paul’s parents would have taught him to be very proud of his Israeli ancestry. Thus, he would describe himself as, “Of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Philippians 3:5b-c, NIV).
As religiously traditional and conservative Pharisees, Paul’s parents would have insisted that he take pride in learning and speaking properly the purest form of the Hebrew language possible. As a result he referred to himself as “A Hebrew of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5d, NIV).
The First Crusade Podcast - Episode 3: The Cilician Expedition and the County of Edessa, 1097-98
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The First Crusade Podcast: Episode 3
After the battle at Dorylaeum, Kilij Arslan retreated and sought to avoid any further contact with the Crusaders. Meanwhile, the Crusaders had to deal with the blistering heat and lack of water in their journey across what remained of Anatolia. The journey resulted in the deaths of many men and animals. The loss of horses and mules was devastating. Horses transported men, but mules were essential for the transport of supplies and equipment.
By August the Crusaders reach the fertile country of Pisidia, where they are able to recover and rest. They then advanced on Iconium, abandoned by the Turks. With the Turks on the run, the Crusaders were able to make contact with the local Christian population.
The Armenians, who did not care for Seljuk or Byzantine domination. Let’s discuss some of these local Armenian groups: independent nobles who survived as tributaries to the Seljuks. Other Armenians lived under direct Seljuk rule.
At Heraclea, the Crusaders face a choice in how they advance into Syria: southeast, through the narrow defile of the Cilician Gates, across the fertile plain of Cilicia, and then over the Belen Pass, a natural break in the Amanus Mountains – into Antioch (shortest, most direct path), but had some areas that might be blocked by Muslim forces. The other route: north through Cappadocia, then east through the Anti-Taurus, a large mountainrange, a long route. The main crusader force took this route.
Baldwin and Tancred’s journey
A smaller group under Baldwin of Boulogne and Tancred, Bohemond’s nephew, opts for the shorter route.
The point of this was to help the crusaders establish allies among the Armenians in Capadocia and Cilicia in preparation for the attack on Antioch. This would help establish supply-lines.
Baldwin and Tancred were selected to lead these expeditions because of their positions in the armies of Godfrey and Bohemond respectively.
Some background on each man:
Baldwin had originally been trained as a cleric, so he had a literary background unique among knights. Preferred a knight’s life, was seeking advancement and lands for himself.
Tancred, son of Bohemond’s sister Emma. Also ambitious and seeking his own lands. His brother had died at Dorylaeum.
These two men would play an important role in establishing the Crusader States.
Baldwin: 300-500 troops, including Baldwin of Le bourcq. Tancred 100-200 troops, including Richard of Salerno.
The course of their journies:
Tancred arrives at Tarsus in Cilicia on Sept 21, 1097, a town retaining much of its classical glory.
Tancred and Baldwin’s dispute at Tarsus. Baldwin convinces the garrison to surrender to him. Tancred departs. Baldwin refuses to allow entry to a group of Bohemond’s men who show up, causing their deaths.
Tancred continues to Adana in Cilicia. Armenian ruler offers to lead Tancred to Mamistra. Tancred’s army is reinforced with 200 Armenians and they set off for Mamistra. The Turks at Mamistra surrender and Tancred becomes ruler.
Baldwin shows up at Mamistra. There is a brawl between some of Tancred and Baldwin’s men, though concord is quickly re-established. Tensions are high between the two camps since Tarsus.
Cilicia campaign was a success: friendly relations established with local Armenians, garrisons placed in Tarsus and Mamistra. Route between Asia Minor and Antioch secured. However, personal ambitions and rivalry of Tancred and Baldwin cast a shadow over the idealism of Christian brotherhood. Nevertheless, the ambition of these two men would be vital in establishing the Crusader States as permanent settlements.
Baldwin is contacted by Bagrat, who tells him about Edessa. This will draw Baldwin out of Cilicia.
Journey of the main armies
Meanwhile, main armies forged a route north to Caesarea in Cappadocia and then south east to arrive at Coxon in the first week of October. Turkish garrisons flee in their wake. More good relations established with local Armenians. Byzantine garrisons commanders installed in Assan and Comana.
Journey over the Anti-Taurus mountains is very difficult.
October 1097, Crusaders reach Marash. Muslim garrison flees. Armenians provide ample supplies. The First Crusade had crossed Asia Minor, but with major losses.
Baldwin’s expedition to Edessa
The Pirates of Cilicia
An exposition of 2Corinthians 10:3-6 revealing its historical background and God's strategy and mighty weapons for pulling down strongholds.
09 06 09 1 4 CHURCH AND THOSE IN IT ACTS 22 28 LAB CHURCH
09 06 09 1 4 CHURCH AND THOSE IN IT ACTS 22 28 LAB CHURCH
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The Church And Those In It!
Church 1.0 Part 4
Acts 22-28 ~ September 6, 2009
•God Has Given The Church Great Power To Impact The World
•God Will Work Mightily Through Ordinary Humble People
•Gods Purpose For Our Life Is Limited By Our Attitude
What Do Followers Of Christ Look Like?
some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place.
And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place. (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.)
The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.
While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul
As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, May I say something to you? Do you speak Greek? he replied. Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?
Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people. Acts 21:27b-32, 37-39 (NIV)
1.They Have A Passion For God
Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense. When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, `Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' `Who are you, Lord?' I asked. `I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. `What shall I do, Lord?' I asked.
`Get up,' the Lord said, `and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, `Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him. Acts 22:1-13
2. They Have A Passion For Others
Then he said: `The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'
When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking. `Quick!' he said to me. `Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.Then the Lord said to me, `Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live! As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. Acts 22:14-18, 21-24
Galatians 1 - Battle For The Gospel
Fuel Bible Study
Galatians 1 – Battle For The Gospel
Galatians – Background
- Galatia: A region that covers the central and northern part of Turkey (Roman Province)
o The Gauls of Western Europe migrated here and became the Galatians
o Paul and Barnabas founded the churches of Galatia in Acts 13 and 14 on Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey
Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe
o People were easily swayed. One moment wanted to worship Paul and Barnabas, and the next moment they attempted to stone Paul to death
o After founding these churches, Paul and Barnabas left Derbe and retraced their steps through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. They strengthened and encouraged the new believers and appointed elders in each church
o The churches of Galatia were now established and in a great position to grow
- The Judaizers
o False teachers who taught you had to believe in Jesus AND follow Judaism to be saved
o Moved in on the Galatians soon after Paul left
o Attacked the gospel Paul preached
o Attacked Paul’s credibility, claiming he was not an Apostle
o Tragically, the Galatians listened to these false teachers and began ‘deserting’ God for a false gospel
CHAPTER 1
- The Greeting (v.1-5)
o Different than any other Pauline greeting
o Paul is usually affectionate in his greetings, but in this one he is brief, serious, and each word is intentional. Intended to start refuting the error the Galatians had fallen into immediately
o Paul’s apostleship was by divine call and did not come to him through an organization or an individual
o Jesus Himself commissioned Paul as recorded in Acts 9 and Acts 26
Since Paul was commissioned by Jesus, the Judaizer’s attack on his apostleship was an attack on the very Word of God
o “And all the brethren who are with me” indicates Paul had the backing of established followers of Christ
o Grace and Peace were foreign to the false gospel of legalism the Judaizers preached. Legalism believes in works, not grace. And because a person can never work hard enough to make themselves right with God, they will never experience peace with God
o ONLY Jesus can rescue us. We cannot do it ourselves
- The Gospel (v.6-10)
o The “Exclusivity” of the Gospel. There is only one-way unholy sinners can be made right and brought into fellowship with a Holy God. And it is through the reception of The Gospel of Christ
o 3 Key Words
Deserting – Like a military desertion. Deserters destroy the morale and readiness of a unit. Paul needed them to understand that by listening and accepting a false gospel, they were deserting Jesus to the detriment of their entire spiritual life
Gospel – Gospel means good news. In the Apostle Paul’s writing, THE GOSPEL always means the plan of salvation.
• The Gospel details how mankind can experience right standing and right relationship with God
• God has given mankind books like Galatians and Romans so we can understand the gospel and receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life
Accursed – The Greek word Anathema; Doomed to destruction; Eternally condemned; Damned to hell
• Those who distort and pervert the gospel are leading others and themselves away from true salvation and to damnation
• Warning to all ministers and people. Don’t change God’s message!
- The Apostle (v.11-24)
o Paul begins to defend The Gospel, as well as his apostleship
o Summary: Paul now shares 3 parts of his testimony. 1. Pre-conversion activities 2. Conversion and 3. Post-conversion activities. From his testimony we get details of how Paul received the gospel. And the main point he is making to his readers is that he didn’t receive it from any person. He didn’t get it from the disciples at Damascus. He didn’t get it from Peter or the Apostles at Jerusalem. He got it directly from Jesus Himself.
Paul received the gospel “through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
• ‘Revelation’ is the same word we find in the book of Revelation
o Apokalupsis – An uncovering or unveiling of something that was previously hidden but now made known by God
Antique Route Pamphylia: Ten Tribers’ crossing the Taurus Mountains
GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND: The Taurus Mountains is a range in southern Turkey, a great chain running approximately 560 kms parallel to the Mediterranean coast, average 50 km wide, and forming the southern border of the Anatolian plateau. Rising at the western-most range of the Great Himalayas, it is Turkey's second chain of folded mountains after the Pontus Mountains in the north. The Taurus system extends along a curve from Lake Egridir in the west to the upper reaches of the Euphrates River in the east, the area from where the Ten Tribes migrated. The highest peaks of the Taurus range are: Demirkazik (3,756m) at the Aladaglar National Park between Nigde and Adana, Emler and Kizilkaya (both 3,723m) in the center, and Nemrut in the Erciyes (ancient Mount Argaeus) in Kayseri (3,916m), also considered as part of the Taurus range even though it's in central Anatolia. Following this range all the way to the north is Mount Ararat. On the other side of the Euphrates River begins Armenia.
POPULATION: Except for the large areas of deep-soiled fertile lands in the Cicilian Plain below Adana the coastal plains to the south are small, and the entire region is thinly populated and isolated from the interior by mountain barriers, one of the main reasons for the settling of the Tribes in this secluded area.
THE COASTAL PLAIN: Over most of its length, the Mediterranean coastal plain is narrow, but there are two major lowland embayments. The Antalya Plain extends inland some 30 km from the Gulf of Antalya; the Adana Plain, measuring roughly 145 by 100 km, both areas where Paul travelled to fulfil his commission – to preach to the Ten Tribers.
CROSSINGS: Because it is extremely hard to cross the Taurus, this mountain range was the natural frontier between two major regions of the ancient world: Anatolia and Syria. Assyrian and Babylonian imperialism ended in the silver mountains, as the Taurus was called. Of the passageways crossing the mountains, the Cilician Gates is the most famous, having been used by caravans and armies since antiquity. One of the few roads across the Taurus is the Cilician Gate. In Antiquity, it was very narrow and therefore of great strategic importance: according to the Greek commander Xenophon, only one cart could pass through the narrow pass. Among the commanders who forced this pass were Alexander the Great (333 BC) and Septimius Severus (193/194 AD). White limestone ridges are common; out of which the other few narrow foot-paths have been chiselled and hand worked to cross the gruelling 50km wide mountain range. There crest lines are often above 2,400 metres, and several peaks exceed 3,400 m.
THE REASON FOR THE CLIMB: To see and experience first-hand what the Ten Tribers endured to cross these hellish mountains into Asia Minor: Anatolia, Galatia, etc.
THE CLIMB: Of all the mountains to climb in Turkey, the Taurus Mountains are renowned to be the most difficult to climb after only Ararat. As said, the mountains have always been a barrier to movements between central Anatolia and the coast and is classed as 'no-man-land'. Today, only nomads live on the mountains, and only where water can be found. Of the 50 km width only 13 km was attempted. This road is called by a few names: Forest Mule Road, Old Caravan Road, and Taurus Sapadere Canyon Footpath.
The 13 km snake-road up the mountain for a vertical height of 800m, a journey that took the researcher 8 brutal hours. Note that the researcher was based at Alanya which is at sea level not far from where the Taurus starts, meaning the air pressure and oxygen intake is considerably higher than up in the mountains. The sudden change in pressure, to start with, was a shock to the system. The Ten Tribes also settled in the coastal plain and had to endure the same conditions, the only difference they had to do it with children on their hips and drag their frightening animals every step of the way, not to mention their household belongs that were taken with.
After a mere 2 hours… legs burning, heart pounding I was beginning to debate how much further I could go. Each step is a gift, a challenge, and an achievement.
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Be a True Witness for Christ
Acts 22
1Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
2(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
3I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
20And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
22And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
23And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
24The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
29Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
09 06 09 4 4 CHURCH AND THOSE IN IT
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The Church And Those In It!
Church 1.0 Part 4
Acts 22-28 ~ September 6, 2009
•God Has Given The Church Great Power To Impact The World
•God Will Work Mightily Through Ordinary Humble People
•Gods Purpose For Our Life Is Limited By Our Attitude
What Do Followers Of Christ Look Like?
some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place.
And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place. (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.)
The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.
While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul
As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, May I say something to you? Do you speak Greek? he replied. Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?
Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people. Acts 21:27b-32, 37-39 (NIV)
1.They Have A Passion For God
Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense. When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, `Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' `Who are you, Lord?' I asked. `I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. `What shall I do, Lord?' I asked.
`Get up,' the Lord said, `and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, `Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him. Acts 22:1-13
2. They Have A Passion For Others
Then he said: `The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'
When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking. `Quick!' he said to me. `Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.Then the Lord said to me, `Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live! As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. Acts 22:14-18, 21-24
He washed my feet and cleansed my soul
He washed my feet and cleansed my soul
Revelation 2:28
“And I will give him the morning star.”
Bible verses related to Jesus As A Friend from the King James Version (KJV) -
John 15:15 - Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:14 - Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
James 2:23 - And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
1 John 3:1 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Proverbs 18:24 - A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Matthew 11:28 - Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Philippians 2:1-30 - If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (Read More...)
Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.