A Little More History

     While I understand that most people find history boring, every once in awhile I want to indulge myself. Today I was reading in the book of Acts and found a detail that many might find inconsequential. Still it contributes to the historical veracity of the Bible. In chapter 16, verse 12, Luke relates a visit to the city of Philippi, adding the detail that it was a Roman colony. The word "colony" has historical significance because it refers to the custom of Roman rulers (emperors) establishing designated areas to settle discharged legionary veterans. When a young man was recruited for the legions or the auxiliaries, he enlisted for twenty to twenty-five years. Part of the incentive to do so was the promise of free land once they completed their service. Philippi is a known "colony" where ex-Roman soldiers received land. So even a seemingly minor detail has importance.
     Another more prominent example is the prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 24 that "not one stone would be left upon another" of the Temple, a structured which took at least 46 years to build. This prediction, given in the early 30's AD, was literally fulfilled at the conclusion of the Roman siege of Jerusalem. ( AD 70) The fires burned so hot in the temple that the gold liquified. After the battle, when it cooled, the Romans had their slaves take every stone in the temple apart so they could scrape off the valuable metal. Again, history supports the Biblical account.