Bible Quiz

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Places from the Life and Times of Paul

Prepared by William R. Stegner, professor of New Testament, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois.

From Acts of the Apostles

1. In what city did Paul speak to philosophers as he stood on the Areopagus (Mars’ Hill)?

2. Where did Paul go in response to a vision in the night?

3 From which city did Paul and Barnabas depart on their first missionary journey?

4. Paul was shipwrecked and then bitten by a snake on which Mediterranean island?

5. In the theater of which great city did the silversmiths riot because they feared Paul’s influence?

From Selected Epistles of Paul

6. To the church in which city did Paul write his famous “hymn” about love?

7. To which city did Paul write after receiving a report from Timothy about its newly established congregation?

8. For the church in which city did Paul take up a collection from churches he had established?

9. What city’s church repeatedly sent gifts to Paul for help in his missionary work?

10. To the churches in which area did Paul write a circular letter containing much autobiographical material?

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Answers

1. Athens. Acts records that Paul, upon arriving at Athens, found “the city was full of idols,” and began preaching in the synagogue and in the Agora (market place). Nettled yet curious …

“… the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers met him. And some said ‘What would this babbler say?’ … and they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is which you present?’ (Acts 17:18a, 19)

2. Macedonia. Paul accompanied by Silas and Timothy traveled through much of Syria and Asia Minor visiting fledgling Christian communities in the Near East at the beginning of his second missionary journey. On reaching Troas on the Aegean coast of Asia Minor, Paul rested:

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing beseeching him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:9–10)

3. Antioch. Scattered by persecution after the stoning of Stephen in Jerusalem, many Christians sought refuge in Antioch. Paul was brought to Antioch by Barnabas to help instruct the congregation there. Acts recounts that:

“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas … and Saul [Paul]. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ ” (Acts 13:1–2)

4. Malta. Arrested in Jerusalem on charges of profaning the temple, Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen to have his case heard directly by the emperor. Braving treacherous autumn seas on the voyage to Rome, Paul’s ship was wrecked and its crew and passengers were cast ashore on an island …

“After we had escaped, we then learned that the island was called Malta …. Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, when a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.” (Acts 28:1, 3)

5. Ephesus. The Ephesian silversmiths and allied craftsmen depended for their livelihood on the manufacture of silver shrines and other icons devoted to Artemis, the goddess whose great temple was located in Ephesus. Paul’s evident success at converting pagan worshippers during his two-year stay in the Syrian city threatened the smiths’ lucrative trade:

“Demetrius, a silversmith … gathered together [the craftsmen], and said, ‘Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that … this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable company of people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.” … They were enraged … and they rushed together into the theater …. For about two hours they all with one voice cried out, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.’ ” (Acts 19:24–34)

6. Corinth. Confused on questions of Christian doctrine and practice, the Corinthian church wrote Paul for instruction. Paul addressed the congregation’s uncertainties in 1 Corinthians, discussing among other things, marriage, celibacy, food offered to idols, worship, spiritual gifts, bodily resurrection 007and the “collection” of money for the Christians in Jerusalem. Paul also counseled them on the nature of Christian love, admonishing:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal …. (1 Corinthians 13:11)

7. Thessalonica. First Thessalonians records that Paul in Athens sent his disciple Timothy to Thessalonica to discover whether the newly formed church had renounced its faith because of persecution. Reassured, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

“… Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you.” (1 Thessalonians 3:6, see also 1–2a, 3a)

8. Jerusalem. At some point in his missionary journeys, Paul instituted an offering on behalf of the Christian poor of Jerusalem.

“Now concerning the contribution for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do …. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.” (1 Corinthians 16:1, 3)

9. Philippi. Paul enjoyed unusually warm relations with the church at Philippi. Written while in prison, Paul’s letter to the Philippians graciously acknowledges the Philippians’ unstinting devotion to Paul through his many imprisonments and persecutions.

“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving except you only; for even in Thessalonica you sent me help once and again.” (Philippians 4:14–16)

10. Galatia. In this letter to the Galatians, in central Asia Minor, Paul responds to the question: Is a Christian obligated to observe Mosaic law? In the course of the letter he tells the story of his own life until then.

“… For you have heard of my former life …, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it … Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas [Peter], and remained with him fifteen days …. Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.” (Galatians 1:13, 18; 2:1)

Places from the Life and Times of Paul

Prepared by William R. Stegner, professor of New Testament, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois.

From Acts of the Apostles
1. In what city did Paul speak to philosophers as he stood on the Areopagus (Mars’ Hill)?
2. Where did Paul go in response to a vision in the night?