Shrines to Pan at Caesarea Philippi (Bill Rice). Philip received the message from an angel to meet a man from Ethiopia in Gaza, a eunuch of great authority under Queen Candace, and inspired the Ethiopian to be baptized (Acts 8:26-39). His church would symbolically be built on the “rock” of Caesarea Philippi, one then filled with niches for pagan idols and where ungodly beliefs and values dominated. Two niches cut in the face of the rock recall the idolatries practiced here in olden times. "Dating" the derring-do of Peter in Acts of the Apostles is no easy feat but there are some time markers to restrain the necessary guesswork. width: 33%; be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life "Then he [Herod agrippa] went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there ... On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes*, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. Acts 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. Then Jesus asked them who they thought He was and Peter answered, "you are the Christ the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:15-16). After the visit to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus presented the disciples with another word of caution: “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory” (Luke 9:26). In 39, Agrippa's brother-in-law Antipas sought a similar promotion but was denounced for treason and sent into exile in Gaul (or Spain, according to the same episode in Wars). Most of the year Mount Hermon can be seen with snow on its peak. Perhaps the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven were meant to set us free from bondage to grow Jesus’ church and bring glory to God. So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him." The Court of Nemesis (To the Right of the Temple of Zeus) (Enlarge), Josephus on the Cave at Paneas, Caesarea Philippi, "So when he had conducted Caesar to the sea, and was returned home, he built him a most beautiful temple, of the whitest stone in Zenodorus's country, near the place called Panium (Panias, Caesarea Philippi). Some thought Jesus was Jeremiah because of their similar warnings. A system of religious worship, or cultus (e.g., the Israelite cult). Also refers to adherents of that system. At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus wanted each disciple to fully understand His identity, not only God the Father’s. Banias, including the sanctuary of Pan and the remains of a Roman/Crusader town, is now a nature reserve. Dug up, often from an archaeological site. A primary verb; to stay. When Jesus passed this way, the area was ruled by Herod the Great’s son Philip, who had renamed the city Caesarea. Many people might think the privilege and responsibility to speak on God’s behalf only applies to clergy who are gifted in teaching or evangelism, but scripture reminds all believers we are not to hide our candle under a bushel but be “a city set on a hill.”. Herod the Great was the king of Judea who was responsible for large-scale building projects, including remodeling the Jerusalem temple. Church of the Nutrition (Sisters of Nazareth). To all intents, the author of Acts adopted He then said to Peter and his disciples, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”. In the face of the perpendicular rock, directly over the cavern and in other parts, several niches have been cut, apparently to receive statues. It caused hardship in Jerusalem and was relieved by supplies that the newly Judaized queen purchased in Alexandria and Cyprus. In Caesarea Peter neither cures sickness nor exorcises demons. Here, in this northeastern area of Israel not frequented by pious Jews, Jesus would have some private time to prepare his disciples for the inevitable. Map of the Roman Empire - Caesarea Philippi Philip No.2 gets special direction from an angel to go south, into the desert of Gaza, where he baptizes a big shot Ethiopian eunuch. : 972-4-6902577 (spring), 972-4-6950272 (waterfall), Open: Apr-Sep 8am-5pm; Oct-Mar 8am-4pm (last entry one hour before closing), #gallery-1 { the email attached to my name above is inactive – try revgregcolby[at]gmail[dot]com. Excavations at Banias have uncovered both the sacred district and the city center. Peter, tipped off about the emissaries by yet another message from the Spirit, is directed to the house of Cornelius. Bo Reicke, The New Testament Era (Adam & Charles Black, 1968) text-align: center; The spring at Banias was one of the primary sources for the Jordan River and one of modern Israel’s largest waterfalls is found at Banias. Jesus proposed two questions to his disciples. Click the above image to read Israeli description. So the brethren should not try to "yoke" them with circumcision and the law. 5:23), when it was a Canaanite sanctuary of Baal. Acts 16:10,13,16 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them…, Acts 20:6,13 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days…. (J. AJ 15.10.3, B. J. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. In fact, the naming of a "Philip" as an early crusader for orthodoxy was a counter-stroke to the commandeering of the disciple Philip by Valentinian Christians.