Philippi
Philippi is an ancient city mentioned in the New Testament, located in the region of Greece in modern-day Greece. It appears across 4 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Philippi holds a distinguished place in New Testament history as the site of the first recorded Christian conversion in Europe. During Paul's second missionary journey, guided by the Macedonian vision (Acts 16:9-10), Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke traveled to Philippi, described as a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony (Acts 16:12). By the riverside, Paul encountered Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, whose heart the Lord opened to receive the gospel (Acts 16:14-15). Subsequently, Paul exorcised a spirit of divination from a slave girl, leading to his and Silas's arrest, beating, and imprisonment. The miraculous midnight earthquake that opened the prison doors led to the conversion of the Philippian jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-34). Paul later revisited Philippi during his third missionary journey (Acts 20:6). The church at Philippi became one of Paul's most beloved congregations, as reflected in his deeply affectionate letter to the Philippians, written from prison.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Philippi is located in northeastern Greece near the modern town of Krinides, approximately 15 kilometers from the Aegean coast. The site has been extensively excavated by the French School of Athens and Greek archaeologists. Remains include the forum (agora), two basilicas from the early Christian period, a Roman theater adapted from an earlier Greek one, the Via Egnatia passing through the city, and a crypt traditionally associated with Paul's imprisonment. Near the site, a stream traditionally identified as the place where Lydia was baptized is commemorated by a modern baptistery and church. Philippi was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, recognizing its exceptional archaeological value as evidence of early Christianity's expansion into Europe.
Verse Appearances (4)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →