Places in Acts
—Page 6, Galatia to Judea
This page contains information about places mentioned in the book of Acts. Galatia, Galilee, Gaza, Iconium, Illyricum, Italy, Jerusalem, Joppa, Judea.
Galatia
- Pronounced Guh-lay'-shuh
- A large area north east of Asia above Cilicia.
- Mentioned in connection with Paul’s 2nd missionary journey.
- Paul preached throughout this region (Acts 16:6, Acts 18:23).
- Paul wrote a letter to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2).
- Peter wrote a letter to Galatia and neighbouring areas (1Peter 1:1).
Galilee
- Pronounced Gal-ill-ee'
- Region between Samaria and Syria on the upper reaches of the River Jordan.
- It is a plateau west of the lake or Sea of Galilee.
- Jesus performed his first miracle in Cana of Galilee (John 2:11)
- Christ’s ministry began in Galilee (Acts 10:36-37).
- His chosen apostles (the twelve) were men of Galilee (Acts 1:11, Acts 2:7, Acts 13:31).
Gaza
- Pronounced Gar'-zuh or Gay'-zuh
- One of the oldest places mentioned in the Bible.
- First mentioned as the frontier town of the Canaanites (Genesis 10:19).
- Philip was commanded to go along the road to Gaza (Acts 8:26-40).
- It is said that about 93BC Gaza was ruined by war and rebuilt about 40 years later further south. The old unihabited city was known as Deserted Gaza.
Iconium
- Pronounced Eye-Cone'-ee-um
- A town near Lystra and Derbe
- Mentioned in connection with Paul’s 1st missionary journey.
- Paul and Barnabus preached there (Acts 14:1,21, Acts 16:1-2).
- Jews from Antioch and Iconium tried to kill Paul (Acts 14:19-20)
Illyricum (Dalmatia)
- Pronounced ill-lee'-rik-um
- Not spelled Illycrium but Il·lyric·um
- Roman coastal province above Macedonia.
- Mentioned in Romans 15:19 not in Acts
- Illyricum is also called Dalmatia 2Timothy 4:10
Italy
- The boot shaped country west of Greece.
- Mentioned in Acts 27:1,6.
- Priscilla and Aquilla had lived and worked there (Acts 18:2).
- Cornelius was a centurion of the Italian cohort (Acts 10:1).
Jerusalem
- A city of many names, including Salem, Jebus, the City of David, and the Holy City.
- Jerusalem had a long and exciting history. Among other things it was ruled by David and Solomon... attacked by the Egyptians, Syrians, Assyrians, and others... destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar... restored... spared by Alexander the Great... harassed by the Seleucids... captured by the Romans... rebuilt by Herod... stained by riots and rebellions... destroyed by Titus.
- Jerusalem, with its pools and palaces, temple and towers, is the most mentioned city in the book of Acts.
- People from far and wide came there to worship (Acts 2:5, Acts 8:27).
- The disciples waited there for the promised power (Acts 1:5-8).
- The first church of Christ was established there (Acts 2:41-47).
- A man lame from birth was healed there by Peter and John (Acts 3 and 4).
- Other miracles were wrought there (Acts 2:5-6,43, Acts 5:12-16).
- In Jerusalem the first arrests, imprisonments, and trials of Christians took place (Acts 4:3-6, Acts 5:25-28).
- The church in Jerusalem quickly grew to 5000 members, but persecution scattered it (Acts 4:4, Acts 6:7, Acts 8:1).
- The apostles were based in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1,14).
- Paul preached there after his conversion (Acts 9:28).
- The apostles met in Jerusalem to discuss the current issues (Acts 15:4-6).
- Chains and troubles awaited Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22, Acts 21:13,30-33).
Joppa
- Pronounced Jop'-uh
- Seaport on the south eastern coast of the Great Sea.
- It was there that Jonah was fleeing to when he was swallowed by a great sea creature.
- In Joppa, Peter raised Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:36-42).
- Peter was staying in Joppa when he was called to preach to Cornelius (Acts 9:43, Acts 10:5-8,23,32, Acts 11:5,13).
Judea
- Pronounced Jew-dee'-uh
- The region surrounding Jerusalem.
- Formerly the territory of the tribe of Judah.
- A feature of the area is the Dead Sea or Salt Sea, 1292 feet below sea level.
- Towns such as Bethlehem, Jericho, and Emmaus, mentioned in the gospels, are in Judea.
- The second step toward world evangelism was the land of Judea (Acts 1:8).
- This outreach from Jerusalem was intensified when persecution scattered the Jerusalem church (Acts 8:1).
- When famine threatened the brethren in Judea, they were sent relief (Acts 11:29).
- Men from Judea started the issue about circumcision (Acts 15:1).
Maps by Ron Graham
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