Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Hierapolis, an ancient city located in the Phrygian region of Asia Minor, is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of the early Christian church. The city is situated near the modern town of Pamukkale in Turkey, renowned for its hot springs and travertine terraces. Hierapolis, meaning "holy city," was known for its religious significance and was a center of pagan worship before the spread of Christianity.Biblical References Hierapolis is directly referenced in the New Testament in the Epistle to the Colossians. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossian church, mentions Hierapolis in connection with the ministry of Epaphras. In Colossians 4:12-13 , Paul writes, "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God. For I testify about him that he is working hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis." This passage highlights the close relationship between the Christian communities in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. Epaphras, a native of the region, is commended for his dedication and labor in the Lord's work across these cities. The mention of Hierapolis alongside Colossae and Laodicea suggests that the early church had a presence in the city, and it was part of the network of churches in the Lycus Valley. Historical and Cultural Context Hierapolis was founded as a thermal spa in the 2nd century BC by the Attalid kings of Pergamon. The city's hot springs were believed to have healing properties, attracting visitors from across the Roman Empire. The thermal waters, rich in minerals, contributed to the city's prosperity and reputation as a place of healing and relaxation. The city was also a center of pagan worship, with numerous temples dedicated to various deities, including Apollo and Pluto. The Plutonium, a religious site dedicated to the god Pluto, was a notable feature of Hierapolis, where priests would perform rituals involving the toxic gases emitted from a cave. Despite its pagan roots, Hierapolis became an important center for early Christianity. The Apostle Philip is traditionally believed to have been martyred in Hierapolis, and his tomb became a site of Christian pilgrimage. The city's Christian community likely faced challenges in maintaining their faith amidst the prevailing pagan culture. Archaeological Significance The archaeological remains of Hierapolis provide valuable insights into the city's history and the early Christian presence there. Excavations have uncovered numerous structures, including a well-preserved theater, a large necropolis, and several churches. The ruins of a Christian basilica, believed to be built over the tomb of the Apostle Philip, attest to the significance of Hierapolis as a center of Christian worship. The city's location on a major trade route and its proximity to other key cities in the region, such as Laodicea and Colossae, facilitated the spread of Christianity. The network of roads and the movement of people and goods would have enabled the exchange of ideas and the dissemination of the Gospel message. Theological Implications The mention of Hierapolis in the New Testament underscores the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities and the role of faithful servants like Epaphras in nurturing and strengthening the church. The dedication of individuals to prayer and ministry, as exemplified by Epaphras, serves as a model for Christian service and commitment to the body of Christ. Hierapolis, with its blend of pagan and Christian influences, reflects the broader challenges faced by the early church in maintaining doctrinal purity and spiritual fervor amidst a diverse and often hostile cultural environment. The perseverance of the Christian community in Hierapolis is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the enduring legacy of the early church's witness. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary HierapolisSmith's Bible Dictionary Hierapolis(holy city), a city of Phrygia, situated above the junction of the rivers Lycus and Maeander, near Colossae and Laodicea mentioned only in (Colossians 4:13) as the seat of a church probably founded by Epaphras. ATS Bible Dictionary HierapolisA city of Phrygia, situated on its western border, near the junction of the rivers Lycus and Meander, and not far from Colosses and Laodicea. It was celebrated for its warm springs and baths. A Christian church was early established here, and enjoyed the ministrations of the faithful Epaphras, Colossians 4:12,13. The city is now desolate, but its ruins still exhibit many traces of its ancient splendor. Among them are the remains of three churches, a theatre, a gymnasium, and many sepulchral monuments. The white front of the cliffs, above which the city lay, has given it its present name of Pamluke-kaleh, the Cotton Castle. Easton's Bible Dictionary Sacred city, a city of Phrygia, where was a Christian church under the care of Epaphras (Colossians 4:12, 13). This church was founded at the same time as that of Colosse. It now bears the name of Pambuk-Kalek, i.e., "Cotton Castle", from the white appearance of the cliffs at the base of which the ruins are found. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HIERAPOLIShe-er-ap'-o-lis (Hierapolis, "sacred city"): As the name implies, Hierapolis was a holy city. It was situated 6 miles from Laodicea and twice that distance from Colosse, on the road from Sardis to Apamea. Though its history is not well known, it seems to have been of Lydian origin, and once bore the name of Kydrara. The Phrygian god Sabazios was worshipped there under the name Echidma, and represented by the symbol of the serpent. Other local deities were Leto and her son Lairbenos. Though called the holy city, Hierapolis was peculiarly regarded as the stronghold of Satan, for there was a Plutonium, or a hole reaching far down into the earth, from which there issued a vapor, even poisoning the birds flying above. It is supposed that upon a stool, deep in the Plutonium, a priest or priestess sat, and, when under the influence of the vapor, uttered prophecies valuable to those who sought them. Though a stronghold of Satan, Hierapolis early became a Christian city, for, according to Colossians 4:13, the only place where it is mentioned in the New Testament, a church was founded there through the influence of Paul while he was at Ephesus. Tradition claims that Philip was the first evangelist to preach there, and it also claims that he and his two unmarried daughters were buried there; a third who was married, was buried at Ephesus. Several of the early Christians suffered martyrdom at Hierapolis, yet Christianity flourished, other churches were built, and during the 4th century the Christians filled the Plutonium with stones, thus giving evidence that the paganism had been entirely supplanted by the church. During the Roman period, Justinian made the city a metropolis, and it continued to exist into the Middle Ages. In the year 1190 Frederick Barbarossa fought with the Byzantines there. Greek 2404. Hierapolis -- Hierapolis, a city in Asia ... 2403, 2404. Hierapolis. 2405 . Hierapolis, a city in Asia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Hierapolis Phonetic ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2404.htm - 6k 2857. Kolossai -- Colossae, a city in Phrygia 2993. Laodikeia -- Laodicea, a city in Phrygia Library To Alexander of Hierapolis. Letter to Alexander of Hierapolis. Claudius Apollinaris, Bishop of Hierapolis, and Apologist. Apolinarius, Bishop of the Church of Hierapolis. Letter Written by Theodoretus, Bishop of Cyrus, from Chalcedon to ... The Death of John and Philip. Elucidation. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians --The Epistle of ... The Epistle to the Colossians. Colossians iv. 12, 13 Thesaurus Hierapolis (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HIERAPOLIS. he-er-ap'-o-lis (Hierapolis, "sacred city"): As the name implies, Hierapolis was a holy city. ... /h/hierapolis.htm - 10k Carchemish (3 Occurrences) Phrygia (4 Occurrences) Colossae (1 Occurrence) Philip (37 Occurrences) Hi-erap'olis (1 Occurrence) Undergone (20 Occurrences) La-odice'a (5 Occurrences) Labours (19 Occurrences) Laodicea (6 Occurrences) Resources Who was Papias of Hierapolis? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Church History (All) | GotQuestions.org Who was Philip in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Hierapolis (1 Occurrence)Colossians 4:13 Subtopics Related Terms |
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