Paul reached Philippi in 49 or 50 AD , guided by a vision of “a man of Macedonia.” At the time, he was accompanied by Silas, Timotheus, and Luke as he preached in the city. In this article, you will learn what happened after Paul performed an exorcism on a local girl.
The Jewish community in the city of Philippi was small. However, Paul was still successful in converting some of the residents. Paul and his companions came across Jewish women gathered at a river located to the west of the city. It was the Sabbath and according to Acts 16:14-15, Paul baptized a purple dye merchant named Lydia, who invited the travelers to stay at her home.
In Acts, it is also stated that Paul drove out an evil spirit from a slave girl that worked as a fortune teller. Her owners grew angry and dragged Paul and Silas into the marketplace. They took them before the magistrates and complained about their actions. A crowd started to form as they approved of the condemnation. The missionaries were stripped naked and flogged. They were then sent to jail. However, when midnight came , a thunderous earthquake developed and the prison doors flew open. Paul was able to talk the jailer out of killing himself and successfully converted the main. The next morning, the magistrates released Paul and Silas and requested that they leave the city. This was not the last time that Paul went to Philippi. He visited on two other occasions , in 56 and 57 AD.
Thessalonica (or Thessaloniki) was the next place that Paul went to during his second missionary journey. Known as the second-largest city in Greece, people come to the destination to visit ancient attractions that include historical sites associated with Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. The city was named after Alexander the Great’s sister and was founded in 315 BC. The city grew to become a significant center for Roman trade, as well as an early spot for Christianity. In the first century, St. Paull preached to the people and many churches were constructed during the Byzantine era. However, the city was invaded during the Middle Ages and became occupied by an array of cultures, including the Slavs, Crusaders, and Ottoman Turks. Today, the city boasts a population of more than 300,000 people and has a reputation for delivering a satisfying nightlife experience.
After Thessalonica, Paul went to Berea (or Veria), where the Jews examined scriptures and created a memorial to the preaching of the apostle. Next, Paul traveled to the capital of Greece (Athens) and preached about the Unknown God on the Aeropagus (also known as Mars Hill). This marble attraction served as home to the Athenian council and court. Not only did Paul speak here, but it is also the site where Socrates was condemned.