Sermon Illustrations
Erastus Inscription
The Erastus inscription is located in ancient Corinth, outside the walls of the modern archaeological site. Discovered early in the 20th century, the inscription reads: "Erastus as aedile paved at my own expense." Today the words can be read via indention, but the original grooves would have been filled with metal. Paul writes the letter to the Romans from Corinth and sends greetings from Erastus, the city treasurer (Romans 16:23). Erastus is an uncommon name in antiquity and Paul's usage of it was called into question prior to this finding. How remarkable that this name was found on an inscription in the very city where Paul indicates that Erastus was from!
Many tours skip this inscription since it is located outside the archaeological site at ancient Corinth. Greek Bible Tours will be sure that you see this and many other artifacts which demonstrate the trustworthiness of the Word of God.
Polytarch Inscriptions
Luke uses the term “city authorities” (πολιτάρχας) in Acts 17:6. This term appears nowhere else in ancient literature. For many years, scholars derided Luke as inaccurate in his historical detail. In the 1960’s construction was beginning in the Thessaloniki and the ancient city center was located, including an inscription with the term politarch. More have since been located in archaeological excavations. Apparently, this was a term used locally to describe certain political positions.
Pictured is a reconstruction of one of the Politarch inscriptions housed in the British Museum. Photo used with permission of www.holylandphotos.org.
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Maps of Paul's journeys are easily accessed online, but we wanted to make a recommendation for the tools found at http://apostlepaulthefilm.com. These are flash animated, so they help viewers to visualize the trajectory of Paul's travel: