What is modern day Laodicea?
Laodicea ad Mare (modern Latakia, Syria) was a major seaport.
Does the Church of Laodicea exist today?
It is now situated near the modern city of Denizli, Turkey. In 2013 the archaeological site was inscribed in the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in Turkey. It contained one of the Seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
What does Laodicea mean in the Bible?
lukewarm or indifferent
Definition of Laodicean lukewarm or indifferent, especially in religion, as were the early Christians of Laodicea. noun. a person who is lukewarm or indifferent, especially in religion.
What do we know about the church in Laodicea?
The church in Laodicea had grown lukewarm and useless. Their selfish focus on wealth and culture kept them from living on purpose in this life. But Jesus offered them a second chance. He wanted a relationship with them again, and that relationship would put the church back on mission.
What is Laodicea known for?
The reference to the “white raiment” may refer to the cloth trade of Laodicea. The city was known for its black wool that was produced in the area.
What happened at the Council of Laodicea?
The major concerns of the Council involved regulating the conduct of church members. The Council expressed its decrees in the form of written rules or canons. Among the sixty canons decreed, several aimed at: Maintaining order among bishops, clerics and laypeople (canons 3–5, 11–13, 21–27, 40–44, 56–57)
When was Laodicea destroyed?
In the 4th century Apollinaris of Laodicea proposed the theory later called as “Apollinarianism”, which was considered heretical by the Catholic Church. By the end of 5th century AD another powerful earthquake destroyed the city, after which the city lost its importance and could never get back to its former good days.
How many churches have been found at Laodicea?
Archaeologists have discovered about 20 ancient Christian chapels and churches at the site. The largest church at Laodicea, called the Church of Laodicea took up an entire city block and dates to the beginning of the fourth century.
Is the Laodicean church lukewarm?
Mark R. Fairchild of Huntington University explores the Laodicean church’s lukewarm reputation, while examining the recent archaeological excavations at Laodicea, Turkey, in his article “Laodicea’s ‘Lukewarm’ Legacy: Conflicts of Prosperity in an Ancient Christian City,” published in the March/April 2017 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.
What did Jesus say about the Church of the Laodiceans?
Of all Jesus’ comments to the churches, the one to the Church of the Laodiceans is undoubtedly the most sobering and solemn. It surely evoked deep introspection among the believers in that ancient city and, we trust, a repentant spirit.
What is the significance of Laodicea in the Bible?
Not only was Laodicea located on major trade routes that connected it to important cities like Ephesus, Smyrna and Sardis, but also it was a center of textile production and banking. Perhaps not surprisingly, the church of Laodicea is noted as being wealthy in the Bible (see Revelation 3:17).