NT People and Place Terms

Aegean Sea

An arm of the Mediterranean Sea between Greece and Turkey. ​This sea was a main trade route for ancient cities of Create, Greece, Roman and Persia Maximum depth is 11,624 feet.

Ephesus

A​ city of Lydia on the western coast of Asia Minor, at the mouth of the river Cayster, nearly midway between Miletus on the south and Smyrna on the north. A​n ancient city of Greek Asia Minor in presentday western Turkey. Its temple, dedicated to Artemis, or in Roman times Diana, was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Saint Paul visited the city on his missionary journeys.

Adriatic Sea

A​n arm of the Mediterranean between Italy and the Balkan Peninsula. Max depth is 4,045 feet and mean depth is 828 feet.

Cornelius​

Centurion in the Roman army who lived at Caesarea. After an angel appeared, he sent to Joppa for Simon Peter, who came to him with the message of forgiveness of sins through faith in the crucified and risen Christ. Cornelius became a Christian as a result of this incident. His conversion marked the beginning of the church's missionary activity among Gentiles. It also helped to set the stage for an important early controversy in the church, for it raised the question of the possibility of salvation who those who were not Jews.

Apollos

Educated man, handled OT scriptures with forcefulness. However, was lacking the way of God, so Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and instructed him. He became more successful in his ministry. He went from Ephesus to Greece with the encouragement of Asian believer and a letter of introduction. He used Scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus was the Christ.

Caesarea (Maritima)

Herod's engineers created a large protected harbor by utilizing quarried stone and hydraulic cement to build a massive mole. Caesarea became Herod's "window to the world," a cosmopolitan city that linked Palestine commercially and culturally to the Roman Empire. Later, Philip journeyed upon divine impulse southwestward from Jerusalem on a road that ran past Betogabris (Bethguvrin) through the southern Shephelah to Gaza. Along the way he met an Ethiopian official in the service of Queen Candace who was returning home after attending the festivals in Jerusalem. Philip baptized the man after explaining the words of Isaiah 53 in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Philip then continued his mission by preaching in Azotus (Ashdod) and other coastal towns before settling in Caesarea Maritima.

Ananias (1)​

Husband of Sapphira. They sold private property, the proceeds of which they were to give to the common fund of the early Jerusalem church. They did not give all the proceeds from the sale, and both were struck dead for having lied to the Holy Spirit

M a l t a ( M e l i t a )

Island located 50 miles southwest of Italy

Ananias (3)

Jewish high priest from AD 47-58. President of Sanhedrin, which tried Paul in Jerusalem. As a Sadducees, he was concerned to appease Roman authorities and representatives. Because of his proRoman sentiments, he was assassinated by antiRoman Jewish revolutionaries at the outbreak of the first great Jewish revolt

Sicily

Largest island in the Mediterranean, just off the toe of Italy's boot.

Crete

Long, narrow, mountainous island south of mainland Greece, runing 170 miles eastwest but never more than 35 miles wide.

Cyprus

L​arge island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea mentioned most prominently in Acts. Island is 138 miles long east to west and 60 miles wide from north to south.

Aquila

Married to Priscilla. Assisted Paul in his ministry and accompanied him to Ephesus. A church met in their home, influential among "gentile church." Paul thanked them for risking their lives for him. The circumstances of their help is unknown but may have occurred during Paul's trouble with Demetrius the silversmith (Acts 19:2341)

Macedonia​

N​orthernmost province of Greece. Macedonia is the link between the Balkan Peninsula to the north and the Greek mainland and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

T h e s s a l o n i c a :

Paul visited here with Silas and Timothy on his second journey to introduce Christianity; Acts 17; an invaluable center for the spread of the gospel

Agabus

Prophet in Jerusalem church who went to visit the church at Antioch and predicted a universal famine. His prophecy was fulfilled about 10 years later in the reign of Claudius Caesear (Acts 11:2729). His prediction led the church at Antioch to begin a famine relief ministry. Later, Agabus went to Caesarea and predicted the Jews would arrest Paul.

Felix​

Roman governor of Judea that presided over the trial of Paul at Caesarea. He kept him in prison until Festus arrives(Acts 23:2327; 24:2227)

Achaia

R​oman province in which Gallio was deputy, or proconsul, in the time of Paul the apostle. Major cities include Sparta, Athens, and Corinth. Paul preached successfully in the province.

Barnabas​

Sold his property and gave proceeds to Jerusalem church. Introduced Saul of Tarsus to Jerusalem church. Church chose him to go to Syrian Antioch to investigate unrestricted preaching to Gentiles there. Paul and Barnabas went on missionary journey's together but separated over whether to take John Mark with them.

T a b i t h a ( D o r c a s )

Tabitha, a Christian woman of Joppa , a friend and helper of the poor. When she died, Peter was sent for, who, after prayer, bade her arise, and her life returned. The fame thereof spread, and many believed on the Lord. Dorcas societies are sewing circles for the poor, named from her.

S t e p h e n

The first Christian Martyr. He is first mentioned in the list of seven men chosen by the Jerusalem Christians, at the suggestion of the apostles, to superintend the distribution of the church's alms. False accusations were brought against Stephen and brought before the sanhedrin and martyred him after he gave his speech.

Timothy

T​he wellknown companion and assistant of Paul. T​imothy was a young evangelist or church administrator or representative for Paul and this young man was sent to the churches to help them establish order and to lay down specific principles regarding the structure of a church, how to handle misconduct and how to resist the teachings of some of the false teachers that were in attendance in the local churches. Timothy was like an ambassador, acting as a representative of the Apostle Paul who had the authority to ensure that the churches were doing things in the way in which Christ would have them done.

Lystra

a ​city of Lycaonia in central Asia Minor. Paul and Barnabus are called gods by the people there and they tear their clothes. Paul was stoned here (Acts 14:621).

Galatia

a ​district of central Asia Minor (Acts 16:6)

Antioch of Pisidia

a ​part of Paul's first missionary journey. Located in the central plateau area of Asia Minor. It was here that John Mark left the group. This was a strategic city because it was a major commercial center on the trade route. They preached in the synagogue on the Sabbaths. Many gentiles are saved, but the Jews become envious.

Gamaliel

a ​prince of the tribe of Manasseh and a great Jewish teacher of the Law and Pharisee. He persuaded his fellow Jews to let the apostles go free. "If it is not of God it will die out, but if their teaching is of God it will not and you'll be fighting against God" (Acts 5:3340; 22:3)

Eutychus

a​ young man at Troas whom Paul restored to life. He fell asleep while listening to Paul's discourse and fell out the window.(Acts 20:612)

Italy

b​ootshaped peninsula between Greece and Spain which extends from the Alps on the north to the Mediterranean Sea on the south. Rome called it "Great Greece." Through the Punic Wars with Carthage the city of Rome extended its control over the whole country and conquered the entire Mediterranean.

Tarsus

c​hief town of Cicilia; about six miles from the Mediterranean; was distinguished for the culture of Greek philosophy and literature; Paul was a citizen of Tarsus

Sceva

father of seven sons living in Ephesus during Paul's ministry; Acts 19:14; his sons were trying to heal an evil spirit in the name of Jesus

D e r b e

in Asia minor ; a small town where Paul and Barnabas fled from Lystra in Acts 14 ; about 60 miles from Lystra

John Mark​

is named in Acts as an assist accompanying Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys. Paul at one point refuses to take John Mark with him because John Mark had abandoned them at one point.

Festus

s​uccessor of Felix to the governorship of Judea. He continued the trial of Paul begun under Felix. Festus sends Paul to Caesar although he really wanted to do the Jews a favor and give him an unfair trial in Jerusalem. (Acts 25 & 26)

Rome

the most celebrated city in the world at the time of Christ. It is said to be founded B.C. 753. When the New Testament was written, Rome was enriched and adorned with the spoils of the world, and contained a population estimated at 1,200,000, of which the half were slaves, and including representatives of nearly every nation then known. It was distinguished for its wealth and luxury and profligacy. The empire of which it was the capital had then reached its greatest prosperity. On the day of Pentecost there were in Jerusalem "strangers from Rome," who doubtless carried with them back to Rome tidings of that great day, and were instrumental in founding the church there. Paul was brought to this city a prisoner, where he remained for two years ( A​cts 28:30​A​cts 28:31​) "in his own hired house." While here, Paul wrote his epistles to the Philippians, to the Ephesians, to the Colossians, to Philemon, and probably also to the Hebrews. He had during these years for companions Luke and Aristarchus ( A​cts 27:2​), Timothy (Phil 1​:1​; C​olossians 1:1​), Tychicus ( E​phesians 6:​: 21 ), Epaphroditus (Phil 4​:18​), and John Mark ( C​olossians 4:10​).

Jerusalem

t​he sacred city and wellknown capital of Judah, of Judea, of Palestine, and of the Jews throughout the world. Jerusalem is situated on a tableland on the crest of the central ridge of Palestine and at one of its highest points.

S a p p h i r a

wife of Ananias who sold property but kept back part of the proceeds. Both dropped dead at the hand of God for lying about their giving; mentioned in Acts 5

Cilicia

​A district of southeast Asia Minor. Paul was born in Tarsus, the principal city of this district (Acts 21:39)

Demetrius

​A silversmith who led the opposition against Paul at Ephesus. He started a riot because his trade of making shrines was threatened by the Gospel and because he did not want the god Artemis to be be discredited. A giant riot breaks out in the theater and the disciples prevent Paul from speaking for his safety. (Acts 19:2441)

R h o d a

​Acts 12, 13, 15. ; a servant girl living in the house of Mary, mother of John Mark; Peter came to the house, knocked, and the girl heard him; she was so excited that she forgot to open the door, but ran and told everyone that Peter was at the door.

Iconium

​Capital of the province of Lycaonia in Asia Minor where Paul and Barnabas preach and many Jews are Gentiles are saved. Many miracles (Acts 13:51; 14:1)

Asia (minor)

​Cities located on the Anatolian peninsula (modern day Turkey). Cities important to NT include; Alexandria, Troas, Assos, Ephesus, Miletus, Patara, Smyrna, Pergamum, Sardis, Thyatire, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Colossae, Attalia, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Tarsus.

Ananias (2)

​Disciple who lived in the city of Damascus. In response to a vision from the Lord, he visited Saul (Paul) three days after Saul had his Damascus road experience. Ananias laid his hands on Saul, after Saul received both the Holy Spirit and his sight. May have baptized Saul.

Drusilla

​Jewess, the daughter of Herod Agrippa I and wife of Felix; she and Felix heard a powerful message of Paul's (Acts 24:2425)

Bar-Jesus (Elymas)

​Jewish magician and false prophet at Paphos (Acts 13:6). Paul the apostle denounced him and he was struck blind. In Acts 13:8 he is called Elymas

Gallio

​Roman proconsul of Achaia before whom Paul was tried in Corinth. He rebukes the Jews for bringing this case before him as a minor complaint. (Acts 18:1217)

Simon Magus

​Samaritan sorcerer converted by the apostle Philip and severely rebuked by Peter for offering money for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Antioch of Syria

​Syrian city on the south side of the Orontes River, where followers of Jesus were first called Christians (Acts 11:1926).

Philippi:

​a city in the north of Palestine; visited by Jesus on several occasions; capital of the province of Macedonia; here Paul and Silas preached and formed the first church of Europe

Silas

​a distinguished member of the apostolic church at Jerusalem. He was sent with Paul to communicate the decision of the council held at that city to the Christians at Antioch. When Paul declined to take John Mark with him on the second missionary journey, and parted with Barnabas he chose Silas as his companion and the two were imprisoned together at Philippi. He was associated with Paul and Timothy in sending the two letters to the Thessalonians.

Tyrannus

​a man at Ephesus who was either a teacher of philosophy or rhetoric, or else a Jewish scribe who gave instruction in the law. In his school Paul disputed with the view of making Christianity known after he no longer had access for the purpose to the Jewish synagogue.

Athens:

​also mentioned in Acts 17; the people of Athens were obsessed with the worship of gods;​P​aul visited here and delivered, in the Areopagus, his famous speech

Damascus

​an important Syrian trade center; Paul was converted on the road from Jerusalem to this city (Acts 9:2).

Matthias

​chosen to replace Judas as a disciple; "then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias..." (Acts 1:26)

Corinth

​city of Greece, on the narrow isthmus that connects the Peloponnesus with the mainland . It is about 48 miles west of Athens. The ancient city was destroyed by the Romans (B.C. 146). It was noted for its wealth, and for the luxurious and immoral and vicious habits of the people.

P h i l i p , t h e " d e a c o n "

​first mentioned in Acts 6 as on of the chosen seven to feed and care for the poor; later mentioned in Acts 8 as proclaiming the message of the Messiah in Samaria and healing unclean spirits, the paralyzed and the lame.

Berea (Beroea)

​mentioned in Acts 17; Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled here after fleeing Thessalonica; they went to the synagogue of the Jews and the Berean people were accepting of them; located in southwestern Macedonia

Priscilla:​

​mentioned six times in Scripture all six times she is mentioned alongside her husband, Aquila; moved from Italy; traveled with Paul and did the work of the Lord Paul called them "fellow workers in Christ"; they were "tentmakers"

Troas

​the city where Paul sailed from to take the gospel message from Asia to Europe (Acts 16); it is here that Paul saw a vision of a "man of Macedonia"

Syria

​the country lying north and east of Palestine (Acts 15:23). It stretched far inland from the Mediterranean and was bounded by the Taurus Mountains to the north.

Sergius Paulus

​the proconsul of Cyprus, which constituted a senatorial province in Paul's time. The inscription on a coin found at ancient Soli, on the northern coast of the island, mentions "Paulus proconsul"

Lydia

​woman of the Lord mentioned in Acts 16 that persuades the leaders of the church to stay in her home; lived in Thyatira; after Paul and Silas left prison, they went to Lydia's house again to meet with other believers (Acts 16:40).