Hierapolis

Hierapolis was an important and prosperous city in the Roman province of Asia. It was located in the southwest corner of the Phrygia district, 12 miles northwest of Colossae and six miles north Laodicea. The city was built on a terrace overlooking the Lycus valley from the north. Laodicea was on the south side of the valley. Hierapolis was 150 to 300 feet above the plain and surrounded by hot springs famous for their medicinal uses. The water from the hot springs flowed over the terrace, creating cascades of encrusted lime.15 The hot springs made Hierapolis a popular and prosperous resort. In addition, the city prospered from the textile trade, including wool working, carpet weaving, and purple dyeing.

The city was completely rebuilt after it was destroyed by earthquakes in A.D. 17 during the reign of Augustus, and again in A.D. 60 during the reign of Nero.

The name Hierapolis means “holy city.” It was an ancient center of pagan cults until it was transformed into a Christian center in the 1st century A.D. (see Col. 4:13).

Inscriptions and literary evidence indicate that a large Jewish community lived in and around Hierapolis. The Christian Church was probably founded while Paul was on his third missionary journey, when Ephesus was the center of his activities:
The preacher through whom Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis may have received the gospel was named Epaphras, one of Paul’s companions (Col. 4:12-13). It is assumed that Epaphras preached in Hierapolis before the earthquake of A.D. 60. It has been suggested that the warning in Rev. 3:16 contains a graphic allusion to the springs of Hierapolis

According to tradition, Philip the Apostle resided in Hierapolis with his daughters. Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus (late 2nd century A.D.), said that Philip was also buried at Hierapolis.

The ruins at Hierapolis include Roman baths, a gymnasium, a well-preserved Roman theater (2nd century A.D.), a Roman aqueduct, and over 1,200 sarcophagi discovered in cemeteries to the north and east of the city. Most are from periods after New Testament times.

Hierapolis (Bible Study)

Col. 1:5-8; 4:12-13; Phil. 23. Hierapolis was one of the cities in Asia evangelized by Paul and Epaphras.




Colossians 1:5-8
5: For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 
6: Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 
7: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 
8: Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 

Colossians 4:12-13
12: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 
13: For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 

Philemon
1: Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 
2: And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 
3: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
4: I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 
5: Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 
6: That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 
7: For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 
8: Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 
9: Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 
10: I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 
11: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 
12: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 
13: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 
14: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 
15: For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 
16: Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 
17: If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 
18: If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 
19: I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 
20: Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 
21: Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 
22: But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. 
23: There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 
24: Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 
25: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.