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1. Why did Rome control much of this area of the world? For how long did it do so?
Throughout this time period, Rome owned the vast majority of the world and held power over others. This is evident when reviewing Paul’s letters about the past, as they were in constant review of the land and controlled what and how people viewed religion. This power is mainly due to the police officers and various institutions created by the Romans, that prevented others from rebelling against society and growing too powerful. Furthermore, military expansion among the Romans caused an increased economic value, allowing them to eventually enslave citizens to deliver and transfer loot.
2. What main languages were used cross the Roman Empire?
Throughout Ancient Rome, various different languages were studied and spoken between citizens. Latin and Greek were the most commonly used languages throughout Rome, and most citizens spoke either of these languages or both. Despite this, Latin was Rome’s native tongue and was the most popular language during this time period across the Roman Empire.
3. What were some of the different ethnic/cultural groups living in the regions of the empire?
Throughout Ancient Rome, numerous ethnic and cultural groups formed the many regions that created a diverse community. Key ethnic and cultural groups such as Lucanii, Piceni, Etruscans and various others, formed the eleven regions of Ancient Rome under the first emperor. These groups created a large region across Europe, combined with countless religions, beliefs, values and ethnicities that established a new, vast community within Ancient Rome.

4. How were people and goods transported around the empire?
During the Roman Empire, a key aspect of economic wealth and leadership was the process of transporting various goods and services throughout cities. By travelling by cart, chariot, on foot or in a boat, the Roman Empire transported not only goods, but additionally significant leader of their community. This allowed cities to receive vital items crucial to their living and wellbeing, or to form a deeper bond and alliance with other city’s major leaders through the use of effective transport.
5. What were some main regions of the empire? What were some of the main cities?
Throughout this time period, numerous key religions and cultural groups formed the Roman empire. The central religion during this time was Judaism, which was followed by the vast majority of citizens, especially throughout Jerusalem. However, despite this vast following, many Jews disagreed with the Roman rulers’ actions and often flee or revolt against their teachings to convert to Christianity. This established a new but extremely immensely followed religion that followed Jesus’ teachings, and became the second major religion during this time. These religions were followed throughout various major cities within Ancient Rome, such as Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Carthage, Rome and Ephesus, where these two major religions were a central focus between the community.

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Explain the significance of Saul’s conversion to Paul, given the developments that followed.
After Saul’s vision from God on the road to Damascus, he was led to a town where he met a man named Ananias and regained his sight. This experience caused Saul to convert to Christianity and changed his name to Paul after later being baptised in a river by Ananias. This experience severely changed Paul’s beliefs and values towards various significant religions, including Jews, Gentiles and especially Christians, as he believed everyone should be respected and accepted for their beliefs and hear the Gospel. This message was significant during the Roman Empire, as the vast majority of citizens were Jewish, and if the Gospel was preached or actively followed, most people were imprisoned or harmed by leaders and guards of cities. Furthermore, this message is still relevant in modern day life, as it encourages us to follow in Jesus and Paul’s footsteps, encouraging others to trust in god and follow his teachings, no matter others’ viewpoint towards you. It reminds us that we are all saved by God for a reason, as Paul was saved to spread the Gospel, and God’s forgiveness is capable of saving anyone from their sins.

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Outline the extent of Paul’s 1 st or 2 nd or 3 rd missionary journey. In doing so, relate place names of the time to contemporary locations.
Throughout his journeys Paul visited countless cities to preach the Gospel and spread God’s messages. During his first missionary journey, Paul visited various cities, from Antioch to Seleucia, to Salamis, next travelling to Paphos, to Perga, then to Pisidian Antioch, to Iconium, followed by Lystra, to Derbe, later returning from the journey through Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Perga, Attalia and Antioch. However, various of these cities later altered their names, such as, Seleucia changing to Çevlik, Salamis to Constantia, after being rebuilt by Christian emperor Constantius II, Paphos to New Paphos, including the city of Kitma, Perga to either Murtina or Murtana, Iconium to Konya and Lystra to Zoldera. Whereas, cities such as Antioch, Pisidian Antioch and Derbe’s titles remained the same.

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Explain the purpose of Paul’s letters. Identify at least 3 key messages, providing supporting evidence from the epistles. (Acts 7:54- 8:3; Acts 21:37-22:21; Galatians 1:15-16)
Paul’s letters displayed countless key messages, that affectively demonstrated his beliefs and values towards topics such as Christianity and the Roman Empire. In his first message of Acts 21:37-22:21, Paul identifies and explains his interactions with a tribune, stating that he is a Jew and a member of a large community throughout Rome, admitting his previous imprisonments of those who followed God’s teachings. However, he then addresses the citizens of the events that occurred while travelling the road of Damascus, and his conversion after meeting with Ananias. Finally informing the people of his vision from Christ. This letter displays the key message that no matter how sinful, Christ will always forgive those who have wronged and welcome them. In addition, a key message displayed throughout this scripture is that Christ shall always guide you through the deepest and most sinful times, as despite his harsh acts and allegations against Christianity, Saul changed for the better because of his confrontations with the Lord and the guidance he received from his various visions. Furthermore, the key message of kindness and courage, is additionally evident when reviewing this scripture as while being killed, Stephen states “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”, proving that he believed people such as Saul could change when following God. Furthermore, these same key messages are identified throughout Acts 7:54- 8:3, where Paul explains the stoning of Stephen, an event where Stephen, a loyal servant and preacher of God, was stoned to death, as Saul observed from above a hill and directed the guards throughout the harsh process. In the following message, Saul discusses how he dragged numerous followers of Christ from their homes and imprisoned them wrongfully, an act he later deeply regrets.

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Identify and explain in 50-100 words the cultural challenge for Paul revealed in the epistles listed on the right. Provide supporting evidence from the epistles. (1 Corinthians 7:19; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 5:6 and 6:15; Colossians 3:11)
After receiving a vision from God, Paul spread his firm belief that circumcision should not be continued, for all Jews and non-Jews. This is evident throughout the scripture ‘Galatians 5:6, 6:15’, as it addresses that “⁶For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love”, “¹⁵For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature”. This scripture reveals that Paul believed being circumcised did not define Christianity and that despite this harsh matter, God would always trust and care for those who followed him whether they are circumcised or not. Furthermore, this message is evident when observing the scripture Colossians 3:11, as it states; “¹¹Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all”. This additionally shares that whoever you are, circumcised or not, Jesus is within us all and connects every one of us.

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1. Interpret and apply one of Paul’s messages for us today in 50-100 words.
2. Quote the source and then express the ideas in your own words.
3. Suggest why and how the message is applicable for individuals or groups of people today.
Paul’s messages allow Christians a deeper understanding of their faith and how to interpret God’s beliefs and laws to bettering themselves. This is evident throughout the scripture, Philippians 2:1-5, as it addresses, “³Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others”. The key message of this text is to care for others, and taking time to put their needs before ours. Furthermore, this message can be applied to the modern world, as it reminds us to remain humble and to focus on putting others before ourselves. This impacts our daily life, as it influences us to treat others with deeper respect and to assist them in their daily life. By assisting parents with chores around the house or aiding peers with class or homework, etc, the scripture and a key message of St Paul’s are clearly followed and displayed.

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http://livius.org/articles/place/seleucia-in-pieria/

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2013). Paphos. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Paphos

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2014). Perga. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Perga

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2013). Konya. Retrieved from http://britannica.com/place/Konya

Underground Network. (2015). Iconium, Lystra, Derbe & Back. Retrieved from https://medium.com/acts-study-guide/iconium-lystra-derbe-back-caa71713145c.