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Testaments
New Testament 
New Testament Line
New Testament Sites
Old Testament
Old Testament Sites
The origin of the church in Turkey goes back to the
events immediately following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus
Christ in Judea. On the Day of Pentecost Jews from Cappadocia, Pontus,
Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia were gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2:9–10).
Many of these became eyewitnesses to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and
Peter’s subsequent sermon. Some were undoubtedly among the three thousand
who believed on Jesus that day (Acts 2:41).
Returning home, these were the first Christians in Anatolia. One of the
most interesting accounts recorded by the early church father Eusebius in
his Church History (1.13) is a letter of Abgar V, king of Edessa. Abgar,
dying of disease, wrote a letter, requesting Jesus to heal him. In his
reply Jesus stated that he could not come but that a disciple would be
sent later. After Pentecost Thaddeus was sent by the apostles. When he
prayed for Abgar, the king was instantly healed. Abgar and his subjects
believed in Jesus, and the kingdom converted to Christianity. Syriac
Christianity, which persists in the region of Mardin, traces its
historical origins to this tradition.
Although Jesus had commanded the early believers to preach the gospel
outside of Jerusalem “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), this did not
happen until the martyrdom of Stephen. Jews from Cilicia and Asia found a
willing accomplice to this murder in Saul (Acts 6:9ff.; 7:58–8:1).
Although born a citizen of Tarsus, Saul had been brought to Jerusalem as a
youth to receive formal training in Judaism (Acts 21:39; 22:3). On the
road to Damascus Saul was dramatically converted, and after a time in
Arabia and Jerusalem he returned to Tarsus (Acts 9:30; Gal.1:21).
In the meantime those scattered by Stephen’s death traveled as far north
as Antioch, preaching first to Jews and then to Gentiles. A church quickly
formed with many believing in the Lord (Acts 11:19–24). Barnabas brought
Saul from Tarsus to assist in discipling these new believers, and at
Antioch these believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:25–26).
NEW TESTAMENT
The origin of the church in Turkey goes back to the
events immediately following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus
Christ in Judea. On the Day of Pentecost Jews from Cappadocia, Pontus,
Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia were gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2:9–10).
Many of these became eyewitnesses to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and
Peter’s subsequent sermon. Some were undoubtedly among the three thousand
who believed on Jesus that day (Acts 2:41).
Returning home, these were the first Christians in Anatolia. One of the
most interesting accounts recorded by the early church father Eusebius in
his Church History (1.13) is a letter of Abgar V, king of Edessa. Abgar,
dying of disease, wrote a letter, requesting Jesus to heal him. In his
reply Jesus stated that he could not come but that a disciple would be
sent later. After Pentecost Thaddeus was sent by the apostles. When he
prayed for Abgar, the king was instantly healed. Abgar and his subjects
believed in Jesus, and the kingdom converted to Christianity. Syriac
Christianity, which persists in the region of Mardin, traces its
historical origins to this tradition.
Although Jesus had commanded the early believers to preach the gospel
outside of Jerusalem “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), this did not
happen until the martyrdom of Stephen. Jews from Cilicia and Asia found a
willing accomplice to this murder in Saul (Acts 6:9ff.; 7:58–8:1).
Although born a citizen of Tarsus, Saul had been brought to Jerusalem as a
youth to receive formal training in Judaism (Acts 21:39; 22:3). On the
road to Damascus Saul was dramatically converted, and after a time in
Arabia and Jerusalem he returned to Tarsus (Acts 9:30; Gal.1:21).
In the meantime those scattered by Stephen’s death traveled as far north
as Antioch, preaching first to Jews and then to Gentiles. A church quickly
formed with many believing in the Lord (Acts 11:19–24). Barnabas brought
Saul from Tarsus to assist in discipling these new believers, and at
Antioch these believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:25–26).
New
Testament Timeline in Turkey
Year
A.D. / Act / Explanation
30 / Acts 2:9
Jews from Asia Minor at Jerusalem Pentecost
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33 / Acts 9:30
St. Paul sent off to Tarsus
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43 / Acts 11:19– 24
Church planted in Antioch among Jews & Gentiles
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44 / Acts 11:25– 30
St. Paul and St. Barnabas minister in Antioch
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47-48 / Acts 13:4–14:28
St. Paul and St. Barnabas on 1st ministry journey
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49 / Gal 2:11–16
Peter visits Antioch; Galatians written
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50 / Acts 15:36–18:22
St. Paul and Silas revisit Galatia on 2nd ministry journey
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50s / Matthew
Matthew writes gospel to Christians in Antioch
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Spring 52 / Acts 18:18–21
St. Paul sails from Cenchrea to Caesarea via Ephesus
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52 / Acts 18:24–26
Apollos in Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila
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Summer 53 / Act 18:23
St. Paul revisits Galatia on 3rd ministry journey
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53-56 / Acts 19:1–40
St. Paul ministers in Ephesus for 2 ½ years
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55 / 1 Cor 16:19
St. Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus
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56 / 1 Cor 16:19
Aquila and Priscilla depart Ephesus for Rome
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59 / Acts 27:5
St. Paul’s voyage to Rome off Cilicia and Pamphylia, landing at
Myra in Lycia
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61-62 / Eph 1:1; Col 1:2; Phlm 1
St. Paul writes church in Ephesus and Colossae
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63 / 1 Peter 1:1
Peter writes to Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,
and Bithynia from Rome
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64 / 2 Peter 3:1
Peter writer a second letter to Christians in Anatolia
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65 / 1 Tim 1:3
Paul writes Timothy at Ephesus
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66 / 2 Tim 1:15
St. Paul writes 2nd letter to Timothy at Ephesus
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69 / Rev 1:9, 11
St. John writes Book of Revelation to seven churches in Asia
from Patmos (early date)
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70s / (90s?) John
St. John writes gospel to Asian Christians
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80s / 1 & 2 John
St. John writes letters to Asian Christians
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80s / 3 John
St. John writes letter to Gaius at Ephesus
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95 / Rev 1:9, 11
St. John writes Book of Revelation from Patmos (late date)
New Testament Sites in Turkey
City / Act
Adramyttium (Edremit)
Acts 27:2
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Antioch (Antakya)
Acts 6:5; 11:19–30; 13:1–3; 14:26–15:3; 15:22–35; 18:22–23
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Asia
Acts 2:9; 6:9; 16:6; 19:10, 22, 2627; 20:4, 16,18; 21:27;
24:19; 27:2; Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 6:19; 2
Cor 1:8; 2 Tim 1:15; 1 Peter 1:1; Rev 1:4
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Assos (Behramkale)
Acts 20:13–14
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Attalia (Antalya)
Acts 14:25–26
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Bithynia (Nicomedia (Izmit);Nicea (Iznik))
Acts 16:7; 1 Peter 1:1
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Cappadocia Province (Caesarea Mazaca (Kayseri))
Acts 2:9; 1 Peter 1:1
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Cilicia
Acts 6:9; 15:23, 41; 21:39; 22:3; 23:34; 27:5; Gal 1:21
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Cnidus
Acts 27:7
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Colossae (Honaz)
Col 1:2
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Derbe (Ekinozu)
Acts 14:6–7, 20–23; 16:1
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Ephesus (Selcuk)
Acts 18:19–21, 24–26; 19:1–20:1; 20:16–17; 1 Cor 15:32; 16:8;
Eph 1:1; 1 Tim 1:3; 2 Tim 1:18; 4:12; Rev 1:11; 2:1–7
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Euphrates River (Firat Nehri)
Rev 9:14; 16:12
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Galatia
Acts 16:6; 18:23; Gal 1:2; 3:1; 2 Tim 4:10; 1 Pet 1:1
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Haran (Harran)
Acts 7:2, 4
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Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
Col 4:13
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Iconium (Konya)
Acts 13:51–14:5; 16:2
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Laodicea (Denizli)
Col. 2:1, 4:13–16; Rev 1:11; 3:14–22
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Lycaonia
Acts 14:6
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Lycia
Acts 27:5
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Lystra (Hatunsaray)
Acts 14:6–23; 16:1–5
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Magog (Lydia?)
Rev 20:8
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Miletos (Milet)
Acts 20:15–38; 2 Tim 4:20
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Myra (Kale; Demre)
Acts 27:5
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Mysia
Acts 16:7–8
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Pamphylia
Acts 2:10; 13:3; 14:24; 15:38; 27:5
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Patara (Ova)
Acts 21:1
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Perga (Perge)
Acts 13:13–14; 14:25
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Pergamum (Bergama)
Rev 1:11; 2:12–17
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Philadelphia (Alasehir)
Rev 1:11; 3:7–13
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Phrygia
Acts 2:10; 16:6; 18:23
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Pisidian Antioch (Yalvac)
Acts 13:14–50; 14:19, 21–23
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Pontus (Amisos (Samsun))
Acts 2:9; 1 Pet 1:1
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Sardis (Sart)
Rev 1:11; 3:1–6
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Seleucia (Samandag)
Acts 13:4
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Smyrna (Izmir)
Acts 20:1(?); Rev 1:11; 2:8–11
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Syria
Matt 4:24; Luke2:2;Acts15:23,41;18:18;20:3;21:3;Gal 1:21
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Tarsus
Acts 9:11, 30; 11:25; 21:39; 22:3
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Thyatira (Akhisar)
Rev 1:11; 2:18
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Troas (Dalyan)
Acts 16:8–11; 20:1(?), 5–13; 2 Cor 2:12; 2 Tim 4:13
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Trogyllium
Acts 20:15 (KJV)
Turkey
and the Old Testament
Two of the four rivers in the Creation account
have their source in eastern Turkey. The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers
flowed through the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:13). Some traditions suggest
that this garden in which Adam and Eve lived was located in southeastern
Turkey. After the great flood Noah’s ark rested on the mountains of Ararat
(Gen. 8:4). Mount Ararat, near the border of Armenia and Iran, is often
identified as this site.
The descendants of Noah’s son Japheth comprised the nations that settled
Anatolia—Gomer, Magog, Javan, Tubal, and Meschech (Gen. 10:2). After
Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees, he settled for a time in Haran (Gen.
11:31–32), continuing his journey to Canaan only after his father Terah
died. Jacob later lived in the region of Haran (Gen. 28:10ff.) for
fourteen years while completing his service to Laban for his marriages to
Leah and Rachel.
One of the great nations that lived to the north of Israel was the
Hittites (Josh. 1:4). This empire, whose capital was Bogazkale, or
Hattusas, existed from 1800–1200 B.C. A related people lived in Palestine,
and Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, was a Hittite mercenary (2 Sam. 11:3–
24). One of the most important battles in history occurred at Charchemish.
Here in 605 B.C. the Babylonian commander Nebuchadnezzar II defeated the
Egyptian army, which four years earlier had killed Judah’s last righteous
king Josiah at Megiddo (2 Chron. 35:20–23). With the defeat of the
Assyrians and their allies the Egyptians, the Babylonians now controlled
the Near East.
Two decades later Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews sent into exile
(586 B.C.). The earliest references to Jewish exiles in Turkey is found in
Obadiah 20. Here Sepharad is a likely reference to Sardis.
Old
Testament Sites in Turkey
City / Act
Aram-naharaim
Gen 24:10
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Ararat (Agri Dagi)
Gen 8:4; Tob 1:21
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Ararat (Urartu, Van)
2 Kgs 19:37; Isa 37:38; Jer 51:27
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Armenia (Ararat)
Isa 37:38 (LXX)
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Ashkenaz (Armenia)
Jer 51:27
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Caphtor (Cappadocia?)
Jer 47:4; Amos 9:7 (LXX; Vul.)
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Charchemish
2 Chr 35:20; Isa 10:9; Jer 46:2–12
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Caria, Carites?
1 Mac 15:23; 2 Kgs 11:4, 19
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Cilicia
1 Mac 11:14; Judith 1:12; 2:21, 25
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Cnidus
1 Mac 15:23
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Eden?
Gen 2:8, 10, 15; 3:23–24; 4:16; 2 Kgs 19:12; Isa 51:3; Ezek 27:23;
28:13; 36:35; Joel 2:3
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Euphrates River (Firat Nehri)
Gen 2:14; 15:18; Ex 23:31; Dt 1:7; 11:24; Josh 1:4; 2 Sam 8:3;
2 Kgs 24:7; 1 Chr 5:9; 18:3; 2 Chr 35:12, 20; Jer 13:4–7; 26:2, 6, 10;
28:63; Jud 1:6, 2:24; 1 Mac 3:32, 37; Sir 24:26; 1 Es 1:23, 25
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Gozan
2 Kgs 17:6; 18:11; 19:12; 1 Chr 5:26; Isa 37:12
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Habor River (Gumus Cay)
2 Kgs 17:6; 18:11; 1 Chr 5:26
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Halicarnassus
1 Mac 15:23
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Haran
Gen 11:31–32; 12:4–5; 27:43; 28:10; 29:4; 2 Kgs 19:12; Isa
37:12; Ezek 27:23
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Helech (Cilicia)
Ezek 27:11
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Kue (Cilicia)
1 Kgs 10:28; 2 Chr 1:16
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Lud (Lydia)
Isa 66:19; Ezek 27:10?; Jud 1:23
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Lycia
1 Mac 15:23
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Lydia
Ezek 30:5
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Magnesia on the Meander
Dan 11:18 (implied battle on “coastlands”)
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Magog
Ezek 38:2
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Mallus
2 Macc 4:30
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Meshech
Ps 120:5; Ezek 27:13; 32:26; 38:2, 3; 39:1
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Miletos
Ezek 27:18 (LXX)
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Minni (Armenia)
Jer 51:27
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Myndus
1 Mac 15:23
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Nahor
Gen 24:10
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Paddan-aram
Gen 25:20; 28:2–7; 31:18; 33:18; 35;9; 35:26; 46:15; 48:7
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Pamphylia
1 Mac 15:23
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Phaselis
1 Mac 15:23
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Phrygia
2 Mac 5:22
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Sampsames (Samsun)
1 Mac 15:23
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Side
1 Mac 15:23
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Sepharad (Sardis)
Ob 20
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Syria
Judith 1:12
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Tarsus
2 Macc 4:30
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Tarshish (Tarsus)
Isa 66:19; Jon 1:3; 4:2
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Thrace
2 Macc 12:35
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Tigris River (Dicle Nehri)
Gen 2:14; Dan 10:4; Tob 6:1; Jud 1:6; Eccles 24:25
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Togarmah (Gurun)
Ezek 27:14
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Tubal
Isa 66:19: Ezek 27:13; 32:26; 38:2, 3; 39:1
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Ur (Sanliurfa)
Gen 11:28, 31; 15:7; Neh. 9:7
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