12 Tribes of Israel
Map of the 12 Tribes of Israel
West of the Jordan River
Promised Land
Map of Hebrews 7 Ancient Jerusalem
Map of Hebrews 7 Ancient Jerusalem
Hebrews 8 map
Hebrews 8 map
Hebrews 11 map
Hebrews 11 map
Map of Isaac sacrifice
Map of Isaac sacrifice
Map of Abraham’s route
Map of Mount Ararat
Hebrews 12 map
Map of Rome
Map of Rome
Map of ancient Rome
Paul and Peter executed here
In New Testament times, Rome was a big deal, and it played a major role in stories of the Bible and the early days of Christianity. That's because Rome was the center of the known world, the bustling heart of a vast Mediterranean-wide empire. Its influence reached far and wide, and it left a mark on the Bible and Christian history.Rome in the Bible
First, let's talk about how Rome shows up in the Bible. In the Gospel of Luke, we read about the famous census decreed by Caesar Augustus, which brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. That's a direct connection between Rome and the birth of Jesus. As we read through the New Testament, we'll find frequent references to Roman authorities. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. He gave the green light for Jesus' crucifixion. And Paul, one of the early Christian leaders, was a Roman citizen, which granted him certain legal privileges. His travels, documented in the Book of Acts, led him to Rome, under arrest, where he eventually faced trial before the emperor. Scholars debate whether he was executed that time or after a later arrest. But early Christian writers report that Romans executed Paul and Peter there. Paul, beheaded. Peter crucified upside down.Paul's letter to Rome
Paul wrote several letters (or epistles) to early Christian communities, and many of them were sent to Rome. The Letter to the Romans, for instance, addresses theological matters and encourages the Roman Christians in their faith journey. That book is the one that many Christian scholars say was the first theology book. Paul describes what it means to be a Christian, and how Christian behave. Then there's the Bible's grand finale: the Book of Revelation. This book is full of vivid imagery and apocalyptic visions. It contains messages for seven churches in Asia Minor (western Turkey). And it was written by a man called John, exiled on the island of Patmos, which was under Roman rule. Many scholars say the evil John described was coded language talking about Rome. Many theorize that the Beast and the Mark of the Beast (the number 666) pointed to Emperor Nero. (See Complete Guide to Bible Prophecy or Who's Who & Where's Where in the Bible.) So, Rome became the backdrop of many Bible stories, and its presence helped shape the early Christian narrative.Rome's persecution of Christians
The Roman Empire's persecution of Christians was a dark chapter in history. It began sporadically in the first century AD and intensified under Emperor Nero, who blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. Over the years, Christians faced various forms of persecution, including arrests, torture, and execution. Emperors like Decius and Diocletian issued edicts demanding Christian sacrifices to Roman gods, resulting in widespread suffering. Despite these hardships, Christianity continued to grow, eventually gaining official recognition and support under Emperor Constantine in the early 4th century, marking a significant turning point in the faith's history within the Roman Empire.Bible map of Italy
Map John in Ephesus
Map John in Ephesus
Peter writes to Paul’s churches
Peter writes to Paul's churches
Why did Peter write to Paul's churches
When the apostle Peter wrote to church Paul had started throughout Paul's own homeland territory, in what is now Turkey, it might have come across as awkward. Maybe even inappropriate. What does another preacher think he's doing by writing his advice to another preacher's congregation. Or in this case, congregations. Peter's letter targets troubles in the general church. Christians are facing frauds passing themselves off as church leaders. And they’re facing persecution from people outside their community of faith. That may have included some former relatives and friends who didn't like changes Christianity was making in these new believers.Risk-taker
Peter always seemed a little out there, ready to stick his neck out. He started defending Jesus when Jewish police arrested him. Peter took a sword and cut off an ear from a servant of the high priest. He led the disciples of Jesus. Look at the list of names. Bible writers always put him first. And he is the star of the disciples in the Bible stories. Here, he addresses Christians scattered throughout what is now Turkey. That was Paul’s turf. Paul was born and raised there, and that’s where Paul started planting churches among non-Jews. There’s no record of Peter ever having gone there. He’s best known for ministering to Jews in what is now Israel and Palestinian Territories.A guess about why Peter wrote
One guess about why he wrote is that he was on trial in Rome, just before his crucifixion, when he got word that churches throughout Turkey were facing some kind of persecution, which Peter never identified.Nero may have ordered his execution
Emperor Nero, credited with executing Peter and Paul, launched the first persecution of Christians after accusing them of starting the July AD 64 fire that burned much of Rome. That might explain why Peter, on trial in Rome, wouldn’t specifically identify Nero as the source of the trouble. But there are other theories too. Jews might have caused the trouble for these churches, as they had done for Turkey’s premiere church planter, Paul. 1 Peter 2 Peter For other Bible versions, see Bible GatewayMap Roman Empire – Letter to all Christians
Map Roman Empire - Letter to all Christians
Lay of the land
Civilization starts here
Civilization starts here
Civilization began here
Hebrews 4:1-11, Casual English Bible
Civilization began with communities and cities forming along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, in Iraq and Iran. That's what scholars theorize today. The expanding region grew to become known as the Fertile Crescent. It extends from the eastern Mediterranean coast to the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. This region encompasses modern-day countries like Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. The Fertile Crescent is called so because of its rich soil, which enabled early humans to settle and cultivate crops. Some of the earliest known civilizations in this area include Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria. These civilizations emerged around 4000-3000 BCE and are known for their advancements in agriculture, writing, art, and architecture.
RESTING IN GOD'S PEACE
1God promised to welcome his people, our ancestors, into a place of rest. God stands by that promise yet today. So, don’t miss out on it. 2We heard the good news from God. So did they, but it didn’t do them any good. They didn’t put any faith in what they heard. 3Those of us who believe get to go into God’s place of rest. Unbelievers won’t. As he once said, “I became angry. So, I made a promise. ‘They’ll not rest in peace at my house.’” God finished his work long ago, when he created the world. 4Somewhere God once said this about the seventh day of creation: “By dawn of Day Seven, God finished his work. He rested. No work that day.” 5But he also said, “They’ll not rest in peace at my house.”People need to trust God
64:6. There are people who need the rest God offers. Some who heard God’s messages in the past decided not to do what he wanted. They didn’t make it into God’s resting place. 7So God selected another time. That time is now. Through the ancient words of David, he says to us what he said to our ancestors long ago. “If today you hear his voice, don’t stubbornly ignore it.” 8Joshua couldn’t manage to lead our ancestors into a peaceful place of rest. God picked another time to make the offer. 9That means there’s a resting place yet to come—with a complete, Sabbath day kind of rest. 10Anyone who makes it there can stop working, just as God did when he finished creation. 11People, let’s do everything we can to make it into that rest.To compare other Bible versions: Bible Gateway