Acts 16:31
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Scripture: Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain
- WHERE
- Philippi
- WHEN
- c. AD 49-52
ON THE MAP
WHEN
c. AD 49-52
counted from the text
The eighteen months in Corinth fit Paul into the Roman calendar in years, not just in order.
WHO RULED
- Claudius emperor of Rome AD 41-54
- Gallio proconsul of Achaia AD 51-52
- Herod Agrippa II king of Judea AD 50-93
- Antonius Felix procurator of Judea AD 52-59
MEANWHILE
-
c. AD 49 Italy
Claudius expels the Jews from Rome
That is why Aquila and Priscilla are in Corinth when Paul arrives, in Acts 18:2.
-
AD 51-52 Achaia
Gallio is proconsul of Achaia
The Delphi inscription dates his term, and with it the only fixed date in Paul's life.
SOURCES
- date — Acts 18:12 puts Paul before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia in AD 51-52 by the Delphi inscription. It is the anchor of the whole chronology of Paul.
- Claudius — Suetonius, Claudius; Tacitus, Annals XI-XII
- Gallio — Delphi inscription (SIG 801d), which dates his term; Acts 18:12. It is the only fixed date in Paul's chronology.
- Herod Agrippa II — Josephus, Jewish War II; Antiquities XX
- Antonius Felix — Josephus, Antiquities XX.7-8; Tacitus, Annals XII.54
- Claudius expels the Jews from Rome — Suetonius, Claudius 25.4; Orosius VII.6
- Gallio is proconsul of Achaia — Delphi inscription (SIG 801d); Acts 18:12
WHAT HAPPENED
-
The church in Europe begins in a house AD 50 (approximate date)
Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, is the first recorded convert on the continent. The European church begins in a businesswoman’s living room.
SEE ALSO
- John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
- John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
- Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. …
- Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. …
- Acts 11:13-14 He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. …
- Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
- Galatians 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Isaiah 45:22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Cross-references: OpenBible.info, CC BY 4.0
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