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Turkey, Greece & Rome Tour - The Well Community Church
November 24 - December 4, 2019
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What will God say about you?
We started our day with a devotion on the bus about the city of Philadelphia, Brad challenged us “God is the only thing that is eternal and our circumstances will come and go”...this is the greatest gift we could give anyone.
Hierapolis reminded us of home! 😉 It was really foggy so we couldn’t even see where we were headed. As the fog lifted, we learned how difficult it was to be a Christian. By refusing to worship Cesaer, it was considered an act of treason, punishable by death. This theater is the best and most preserved “Theater” in Turkey. It seated 10k, was built in the second century by Hadrian.
Hierapolis
Hierapolis, the “Sacred City,” is located at present-day Pamukkale in south central Turkey. In the 1st century, it was part of the tri-city area of Laodicea, Colossae, and Hierapolis. This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:13). Before AD 70, Phillip (either the apostle or the evangelist) moved to Hierapolis, where he was believed to have been martyred.
The group split up, one group walked up a hill to Phillip’s Martyrian. Phillip, a regular guy was martyred for sharing the Gospel. It was 400 years after his death that this facility was built for him. A great sight that looked totally different than the others. Brad taught on “Spiritual investments”. The group was convicted (Jim Graham) about the importance of sharing our faith with others, we were left with the deep question of “what will God say about you?”
The rest of the group got to see backstage of the giant theater. And toured the AntiquePools/Pamukkale Hot Springs. There is a special photo of a guy in a Speedo! Yikes!! These pools are said to have healing powers and people come from all over the world to “be healed”.
These hot springs were amazing! This is how Travertine stone is made. Calcium carbonate, over time cause the water deposits to turn into the beautiful stone we love! The water has to keep running to keep it white. It doesn’t smell because the sulfur is neutralized as the water comes down the mountain (credit to Greg the Science guy).
We saw Colossae, an un-excavated Tel. An Earthquake leveled it in the 9th century. They left it abandoned. Paul wrote this letter, having been there. The sad thing is that Colossae had no Christology (the study of Christ). They had no framework for who Jesus was. Our challenge was to make sure we have a solid Christology!
Last stop was Laodicea! What an amazing sight! Jesus had no compliment for them. (Revelations 3:14) They were neither hot nor cold. The excavation only covered 25%. The City was so wealthy that after all 9 earthquakes they didn’t want Rome’s help to rebuild. Biggest homes, school of medicine, their own currency, textiles, indoor plumbing. But they didn’t have Jesus!!! Our own Mike Slayden got to be the first Well Pastor to teach in the newly excavated Christian Church built in the 3rd Century.
Thanks to all our guest editors! Sherefe!!
Laodicea
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev 3:14-16)
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