2. The Book of Acts
The Early Church is Born and Expands

8. Jerusalem
The central city of Jewish life during
Roman times. Trade and commerce were
heavy in and around Jerusalem. By its
destruction in 70AD it was thought to
have approx. 600,000 people.

14. Damascus (Ch. 9)
Leading city of ancient Syria. Located
along ancient trade routes. It had a
large water supply which brought
commerce to it and allowed for
agriculture. A very large Jewish
community with multiple synagogues.
Approx. 160,000 pop

15. Antioch in Syria (Ch 11)
The term “christians” was first used here
to label the followers of Christ. It was
called the “Paris of the ancient world”.
approx pop. 500,000-600,000

16. Cyprus (Ch 13)
A large island in Med. Salamis was a
major city. Barnabas was from Cyprus.
Cyprus Jews from Cyprus helped lead
non Jews to Christ in Antioch
approx pop. 100,000-250,000

17. Antioch in Pisidia (Ch 13)
Made a Roman colony in 25 BC
Chosen as a central city for missions by
Paul
approx pop. over 100,000

18. Lystra (Ch. 14)
center of Greek god worship and
education
Paul and Barnabas were associated with
Greek gods.
Paul met Timothy here during his
second missionary journey
approx pop over 100,000

19. Philippi (Ch 16)
Named after Alexander the Great’s
father
Located on the primary road through
Macedonia
Blended Latin and Greek traditions
approx pop 20,000-100,000

20. Athens (Ch 17)
Center of Greek culture
Large center of commerce and trade
Philosophy flourished here

21. Rome (Ch 28)
Capital of the Roman Empire
Place of Peter and Pauls executions
approx pop 5 million with 500,000
being slaves

22. Caesarea (Ch 27)
Paul was imprisoned here for two years
on his way to Rome
Principle port city for Palestine

23. Ephesus (Ch 18)
Major port city of Asia Minor and an
administrative city for Rome
Large Jewish pop
approx pop 250,000-300,000

24. Corinth (Ch 18)
Located on an isthmus connecting
northern and southern Greece..
approx pop 200,000-400,000

25. Thessalonica (Ch 17)
Christians faced problems here
major port city of Macedonia
approx pop 200,000-250,000

31. Judas, who betrayed Christ for thirty
pieces of silver, committed suicide by
hanging himself.
James, the son of Zebedee, was put to
death by the sword, probably
beheaded in Jerusalem around 44 AD.
According to tradition, he died after
preaching the Gospel in Spain

32. Andrew is reported to have journeyed to Scythia,
the region north of the Black Sea, now part of the
Russia. More certain is his preaching in Asia Minor
(modern day Turkey) and in Greece where he was
said to have been crucified.
Thomas, “doubting Thomas,” was most probably
active in the area east of Syria. Tradition has him
preaching as far east as India where the ancient
Marthoma Christians revere him as their founder.

33. Philip, so tradition records, preached the
Gospel in Heirapolis in Asia Minor where
he converted the wife of the Roman
proconsul. In retaliation, her husband had
Philip arrested and cruelly put to death.
Matthew, also known as Levi, is credited
with writing the Gospel that bears his
name. Different traditions place him
preaching the Gospel in areas as far apart
as Persia and Ethiopia.

34. Bartholomew, too, had widespread missionary
travels attributed to him by tradition: to India with
Thomas, back to Armenia, and also to Ethiopia
and southern Arabia. There are various accounts
of how he met his death as a martyr.
Matthias was the Apostle chosen to replace
Judas. Tradition sends him with Andrew to Syria
and to death by burning.
Simon the Zealot, so the story goes, went to
Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to
the sun god.

35. The Apostle John is perhaps the only one of the
company thought to have died a natural death
from old age. He was the leader of the church in
the Ephesus area and is said to have taken care
of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in his home. During
the persecution in Domitian's reign in the middle
90’s, he was sent into exile on the island of Patmos
in the Aegean. There he is credited with writing
the last book of the New Testament, the
Revelation of John.