Philippi

Today I visited the site of Philippi in the region of Macedonia in northeastern Greece. Wonderful excavations have taken place here since 1914. Two major events took place at this site:

1. First, a major battle took place here in 42 B.C. between the forces of Marc Antony and Octavius and the troops of Cassius and Brutus. Cassius, dismayed at the apparent outcome of the battle, committed suicide . . . what he didn't know was that his troops had, in fact, won the battle. A few years later, Brutus also committed suicide as his troops were overwhelmed at Actium by the forces of Octavius.

2. The second major event at Philippi was the visit of Paul, Timothy, and Silas on the second missionary journey. Here, next to the river, was a noted conversion: Lydia. Thus, the first conversions in Europe took place at Philippi.

Isn't it interesting to compare those two major events. At the time, perhaps the second one seemed so insignificant whereas the first looked like it would change the world. But the reality? The message that Paul and his missionaries brought to Europe was one that was staggering and almost beyond comprehension in regard to its impact.