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 Rome
I just returned from my favorite city in the world—Rome. I love this city. I love the food, the sights, the architecture, the history, the churches, the art, the people. It is just a great town.
For a church history buff, Rome is unparalleled. There are so many connections to biblical history, western civilization and church history in this ancient city. You can tour the palace of Caesar Augustus (affectionately known on our tour as “Caesar’s Palace) and reflect upon the decision by this emperor to count his citizens in about 4 BC. This imperial edict required a man named Joseph to leave Nazareth and take his betrothed to Bethlehem.
You can stand under the ancient Arch of Titus (AD 81) and see the oldest artistic depiction of the Jewish Menorah in the world. The architectural frieze inside the arch depicts the victorious Titus returning from Jerusalem with the spoils from the Temple in Jerusalem and the Jewish slaves who would help complete the construction of the Colosseum.
Visitors to Rome can walk the ancient Appian Way—the road traveled by the Apostle Paul into the capitol city of the Roman Empire. One can only imagine his feelings and impressions as he first laid eyes on the splendor of the ancient Roman Forum with its huge pagan temples dedicated to the pagan gods of the Romans.
You can walk down the Via Sacra and follow it to the Mamertine Prison—a dungeon believed to house the Apostle Peter during his imprisonment at the hands of Nero.
You can visit the Forum of Trajan, the ruler of ancient Rome (AD 98-117) who received a letter from Pliny the Younger asking for the emperor’s advice about the treatment of the followers of The Jesus Way in Asia Minor.
You can also stand next to the ancient Arch of Constantine, the great Roman emperor who marched his troops on Rome and won the famous battle at the Milvian Bridge. He would later declare Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. You can also visit St. John Church of the Lateran—the first church built by Constantine.
In Rome, the story of Christianity emerging from its humble roots to become the dominant force in the culture is on display. While the temples lie in ruins, the churches are brilliantly shining as a testimony to the power of the Gospel to transform a culture. Even more importantly, the proclamation of the Gospel message emanated from Rome throughout the ancient world. When Constantine convened the Council of Nicea, 318 pastors of churches across the empire gathered to discuss theology. The Church of Jesus Christ had permeated the Roman world in spite of tremendous persecution and upheaval.
I always leave Rome with a renewed confidence in the power of God to accomplish great things. I am looking forward to all He is going to accomplish in us and through us as we journey together into the future.
Blessings,
Dr. Dennis R. Wiles
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