Topical Encyclopedia In ancient Roman culture, a forum was a public square or marketplace that served as a central hub for commercial, political, and social activities. While the term "forum" itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept of a public gathering place for discussion and decision-making is evident throughout the Scriptures, particularly in the New Testament, where the early Christian church often engaged with the broader society in such settings.Historical Context The Roman Forum was the heart of public life in ancient Rome, where citizens gathered to discuss matters of state, conduct business, and engage in public discourse. This concept of a communal space for interaction and exchange was mirrored in various cities throughout the Roman Empire, including those mentioned in the New Testament. Biblical References and Implications 1. Public Discourse and Evangelism: The apostle Paul frequently utilized public spaces similar to forums to preach the Gospel and engage with both Jews and Gentiles. In Acts 17:17 , it is recorded, "So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day." This marketplace, akin to a forum, was a place where Paul could reach a diverse audience, illustrating the strategic use of public venues for evangelism. 2. Legal Proceedings: The forum also served as a place for legal matters and public trials. In Acts 25:6 , we see an example of this when Paul is brought before the Roman governor Festus: "After spending eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered that Paul be brought in." The judgment seat, or "bema," was often located in a forum, highlighting the role of such spaces in judicial proceedings. 3. Cultural Engagement: The early Christians' presence in forums and similar public spaces underscores their engagement with the surrounding culture. They did not isolate themselves but instead participated in the public life of their cities, using these opportunities to witness to the truth of the Gospel. This approach is evident in Paul's address at the Areopagus in Athens, a place of philosophical debate and discussion, as recorded in Acts 17:22-31. Theological Significance The use of forums and public spaces by early Christians reflects a commitment to engage with the world while maintaining a distinct Christian identity. It demonstrates the importance of being present in the public sphere to influence society with the teachings of Christ. This engagement is rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), where Jesus commands His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations," a task that often necessitates entering into the public arenas of life. Conclusion While the Bible does not specifically mention forums, the concept of public spaces for discourse and decision-making is integral to the narrative of the early church. These venues provided opportunities for evangelism, legal defense, and cultural engagement, serving as platforms for the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the Christian faith within the broader Roman society. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A market place or public place in Rome, where causes were judicially tried, and orations delivered to the people.2. (n.) A tribunal; a court; an assembly empowered to hear and decide causes. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia APPII FORUMap'-i-i fo'-rum, transliteration of Lat; APPIUS ap'-i-us, MARKET OF (Revised Version) (Appiou phoron): Appi Forum Cicero ad Att. 20.1; Suetonius Tib. 2: Appii Forum; Vulgate Revised Verson: Forum Appi; Horace Satires i0.5; Pliny, Nat. Hist., iii0.64; xiv0.61; CIL, X, 6824, or Market of Appius, was a town situated at the forty-third milestone on the Appian Road (39 1/2 English miles from Rome, a single day's journey for energetic travelers) according to the imperial itineraries (Ant., 108; Hierosol. 611; Geog. Rav. 4.34). Its existence probably dates from the time of Appius Claudius Caecus (Suet. Tib. 2; compare Mommsen, Rom. Forsch., I, 308), who laid out the famous highway from Rome to Capua in 312 B.C. In the 1st century it had the rank of a municipality (Pliny, iii.64). Its importance as a highway station is due chiefly to the canal which ran by the side of the road from there to within a short distance of Tarracina (at the sixty-second milestone), affording an alternative means of conveyance (Strabo v0.3.6). It was customary to cover this section of the journey, passing through the Pontine Marshes, by night in canal boats drawn by mules. Horace (Sat. i.5) offers a lively picture of the discomforts of the trip, mentioning the importunate inn-keepers and intolerable drinking water at Appii Forum, the gnats and frogs which were enemies to repose, and the exasperating procrastination of the muleteer. FORUM fo'-rum: Greek 5410. phoron -- forum, market ... forum, market. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: phoron Phonetic Spelling: (for'-on) Short Definition: Forum, Market Definition: (of Latin origin ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5410.htm - 6k 675. Appiou Phoron -- Market of Appius, the name of a city south ... 58. agora -- an assembly, place of assembly Library Letter cviii. To Theodore, Bishop of Forum Julii. Description of Pilate's Palace and the Adjacent Buildings. Constantinople An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience... Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was Called... The Scourging of Jesus. The African Rome His Murdered Father's Head Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ... Acts XXVIII Thesaurus Forum (1 Occurrence)... APPII FORUM. ap'-ii fo'-rum, transliteration of Lat; APPIUS ap'-i-us, MARKET OF (Revised Version) (Appiou phoron): Appi Forum Cicero ad Att. ... /f/forum.htm - 9k Appii-forum (1 Occurrence) Appii (1 Occurrence) Taverns (1 Occurrence) Mart (2 Occurrences) Marketplace (8 Occurrences) Market (24 Occurrences) Forty-two (15 Occurrences) Three (5005 Occurrences) Philippi (8 Occurrences) Resources Is Hillsong a biblically solid church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Areopagus? | GotQuestions.org What value is there in Christian journaling? | GotQuestions.org Forum: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Forum (1 Occurrence)Acts 28:15 Subtopics Related Terms |
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