This is the Mediterranean coast of Israel and these are the ruins of Cesaria, the once glorious capital of the Roman district of Judea. The Mediterranean coast of Judea had a problem. It had very little uh natural protection and so uh it just got battered by the wind and the waves. There were no good harbors along this coastline. So starting in 22 BC, the great builder Herod the Great started a building project to solve this problem in building an artificial harbor. When looking down on it, the outline of its underwater rubble can still be seen lying below the Mediterranean Sea. So, we paddled our kayak out over these ruins and spent some time snorkeling and diving down, looking at these massive stones that Herod the Great used for an underwater foundation to support an abovewater wall that encircled the harbor. The harbor provided a direct maritime connection between Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, and Cesaria, the new capital of the Roman district of Judea. Essentially, Cesaria brought Rome to Judea and Cesaria became so to speak the Rome of Judea. So around the harbor, Herod the Great built uh this glorious Roman city on a promontory point. He built himself a royal palace. He built a hippodromeome and a theater, many temples, and he named the city Caesaria after the reigning emperor at the time, Augustus Caesar. So, we have the name Cesaria found 17 times in the Bible. All of them are in the book of Acts. And so, what I’m going to be doing is I’m going to be going through the archaeology of Cesaria and connecting it to the Bible in order to tell the story of Cesaria. And this is a redemptive story. Uh it’s the story of a city that is transformed. And not only that, but it also changes the course of history for the entire world. Please consider hitting that subscribe button. I’ll leave several links in the description where you can order a copy of my book, Where God Came Down, the Archaeological Evidence, where you can leave a taxdeductible donation. These are greatly appreciated and used for the production of future videos where you can check out the tours that I lead to Israel and other lands of the Bible. So just to the east in front of the harbor uh was this low-lying hill and this was excavated in two different excavations. The first one beginning in 1960 by Abraham Negev and the second one later beginning in 1989 by Kenneth Holm. Both excavations unearthed portions of the foundations of Cesaria’s most important and prominent temple. Herod had built a temple mount platform over the hill and the excavations also found the rubble left behind from the monumental temple that Herod had erected on top of it for the worship of the Roman emperor Augustus Caesar. Josephus wrote, “And over against the mouth of the haven upon an elevation there was a temple for Caesar which was excellent both in beauty and largeness and therein was a colossus of Caesar.” So, in the back room of the temple is a statue of the god that’s being worshiped in this temple. And in this case, it’s the statue of a man, the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar. So, I’m standing on the ancient mound where Herod the Great in the 1st century BC built the temple to Augustus Caesar. This is where uh the colossal statue of Caesar would have been in this temple and people would have come here to worship him during his lifetime while he was the reigning emperor of the Roman Empire. We know that this emperor worship went on at Cesaria because of another archaeological discovery that was made there in 1961. An Italian team was excavating at Cesaria under the directorship of Antonio Frova and they found this stone with an 81st century inscription on it. So this is a replica of what’s known as the pilot stone which was found here at Cesaria. The real one is on display in the Israel Museum. Um we have the inscription here which uh says Pontius Pilate uh the prefect of Judea uh has erected or dedicated a building a temple building to the worship of the emperor Tiberius. And so just as Herod the Great had built a temple here at Cesaria for the worship of Augustus the first emperor of the Roman Empire. Here we have a dedicatory inscription uh by Pontius Pilate that is dedicating a temple built for the worship of the emperor Tiberius. Now this is significant because Augustus Caesar who was worshiped here when he was emperor was the emperor of Rome when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Tiberius who also we know from this inscription was worshiped here as the emperor of Rome was emperor when Jesus was crucified in 33 AD. Now we’ve seen that both Herod and Pilate built temples in Cesaria. And in about 39 AD we have another temple that’s built in Cesaria. Only this one was not built by men but by God himself. Acts 10 says, “At Cesaria, there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian regiment. He and all his family were devout and god-fearing.” Now, Cornelius sends men from Cesaria to Japa to get Peter. And I don’t think Peter would have gone with these men to Cesaria if the Lord hadn’t given him a vision. And the vision was about unclean food that God was making clean. And it says in verse 16 that this vision was repeated three times. And this was for emphasis because Peter who is a follower of Christ and a Jew, the last place he would have wanted to go in Judea would have been Cesaria. Uh this is the most unclean place in Judea. This is the gentile stronghold, the pagan stronghold. And so the Lord had to give him this vision three times. I mean, the way I think about it is I think about is like God saying to Peter, “No, I want you to go to Cesaria.” No, no, really, Peter, I want you to go to Cesaria. No, no, Peter, actually, go to Cesaria. I’m about to make the unclean clean. And Acts 10 goes on to say that the following day he arrived in Cesaria and Peter entered the house of Cornelius. It’s here in the house of Cornelius that one of the most important events in the New Testament takes place. Acts chapter 10 says, “Then Peter began to speak the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. So here we have the fulfillment of the vision that God gives Peter through his preaching in Cesaria. We have these unclean Gentiles listening to a message about Jesus and the forgiveness of sins that he offers. And when they believe the message, they’re forgiven of their sins and the unclean are made clean. Uh so this isn’t a temple like the one Herod built or the one Pilate built. This is a temple that God built with the birth of the gentile church. Peter himself describes this temple being built in 1 Peter 2:5. You also like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. So the question then is where did this miracle take place? Where is the house of Cornelius located in the city of Cesaria? Jerome, an early church historian in AD404 gives us a strong clue when he wrote about a Christian pilgrim named Paula who visited Cesaria. Jerome wrote that she saw the house of Cornelius now turned into a Christian church. So then if we’re looking for the house of Cornelius archaeologically, we’re actually looking for an early Byzantine church that’s built over the top of it that commemorates it. In 1994, just to the northeast of Herod the Great’s Palace, the Israel Antiquity Authority was excavating under the directorship of the Israeli archaeologist Yseph Porad. and uh he puts in his report that they uncovered a Byzantine church within internal apps. Uh but he doesn’t put anything in his report any kind of interpretation of what biblical event he thinks maybe they were commemorating. So here at Cesaria we have this Byzantine church. You see the apps right here. You see the mosaic floors and then this is sitting in front of Herod the Great’s palace. Now the question is what does this church commemorate? A lot of churches from this period commemorate some event from the Bible. So the location just to the northeast of Herod’s palace makes a lot of sense for where we would expect a Roman centurion to live. And the reason for this is we have to keep in mind that after the time of Herod, his palace was used as a governor’s mansion, the primary residency for the governors who governed over Judea. And so being that Cornelius was a Roman centurion, then one of his primary responsibilities in the city of Cesaria would be to guard the primary residency of the Roman governor. And so it makes perfect sense that his house would be located near Herod’s palace. Uh therefore there is a strong probability that the Byzantine church that Jerome writes about Paula visiting in his account is the same Byzantine church that the Israel Antiquity Authority uncovered in 1994 in their excavations at Cesaria. a possibility is that this commemorates Cornelius’s house. Um, he’s a centurion and so it makes sense that he would live close to where the palace was. And if that’s the case, then this would be where Peter came and entered the house and preached to the gentile believers and where they believed his message about Jesus and the Holy Spirit was poured out. If that’s the case, then we have the birth of the church in Jerusalem in the upper room at Pentecost. And then this would be the birth of the gentile church at Cesaria. So we have this continuing story in Cesaria where we have the rulers who are proclaiming themselves to be gods. And uh now that the gentile church is birthed in Cesaria, we have this conflict because they’re worshiping Jesus and not the rulers of Judea. And so uh this continues in Acts 12 with the account of Herod Agrippa the first. And God is going to judge him for this proclamation of being a god. And so God is putting his stamp of approval and authority on the worship of Jesus. So I’m standing in the later Roman theater here in Cesaria. And the question that’s been debated by scholars for many years is where was the theater in the first century AD? Uh the interpretation that makes the most sense to me is that the earlier theater would have been in the same location that then this larger later theater was built. Uh if that’s the case, then this would be the location of the biblical event in the book of Acts, Acts 12 of the death of King Agria I was the grandson of Herod the Great who built this city. Acts 12 says, “Then Herod went from Judea to Cesaria and stayed there. On the appointed day, Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted,”This is the voice of a God, not of a man. Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” So for anyone who might read this Acts 12 account of Agria the 1 and think that this is just a fantasy then think again because Josephus describes the exact same event. Josephus says that Agrippa had reigned over Judea and came to the city of Cesaria. And he specifically says that Agria came into the theater where a severe pain also arose in his belly and began in a most violent manner. He therefore looked upon his friends and said, “I whom you call a god, am commanded presently to depart this life, and I who was by you called immortal ammed immediately to be hurried away by death.” So, Herod Agria the first is immediately judged by God for his blasphemy. And I think that the reason for this is in the text itself. It says that after agria the first uh is eaten by worms and died that the word of God continues to spread and flourish. And so as not to hinder the message of Jesus that is going out, God immediately judges Agria the first. The next major event that takes place in Cesaria is covered in Acts 23- 26 where Paul is imprisoned and tried in Cesaria. Acts 23 says, “When the Calvary arrived in Cesaria, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.” Okay, so behind me here is a pool and the mosaics from the excavations of Ahud Netzer, who started excavating the palace of Herod the Great in 1976. And uh the ruins stretch out this way as well, which are very significant because we’re told in the New Testament that the Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Herod’s palace. Beneath the main courtyard of the palace is a large water system discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority. And next to it, they put up a sign which reads, “The underground structure you see here served as a T-shaped water sistn in the interior courtyard of the palace. After the time of Herod, the sistern was turned into a prison. According to scholars, this may be the place where Paul the Apostle was imprisoned. Next to the palace where Paul was imprisoned is the Hippodromeome. Herod purposely had the southern end of the hippodromeome built up against his palace to serve as a tribunal. And this is likely where Paul stood trial. So the book of acts tells us that Paul is tried three times in Cesaria and in his final trial he’s pleading his case before Fesus who is the Roman governor and in front of Herod Agria II who is the son of Herod Agria I greatgrandson of Herod the great. So I’m standing in the hippodromeome here at Cesaria and this is built up against the backside of the Roman palace. And so it’s believed that when uh there was an audience given from the palace connected to it that this is where that would have taken place. That makes this the most probable place where the apostle Paul gave his testimony to King Agria II. King Agria II is the great grandson of Herod the Great. And when Paul is given this opportunity to speak to him, what does he do? He gives his testimony. He tells his story about how he was on the way to Damascus when he met the risen Lord. And so, uh, it was right here where he finishes that testimony and he says to Agria, “Do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” And then Agria II says to Paul, do you think that you can convince me to be a Christian in such a short period of time? And Paul says, not only to him, but the the others in the audience, I hope that you become like me, meaning a Christian except for these chains. So think about who the audience is that Paul is talking to. He’s talking to these Romans. He’s talking to the son of the one who was eaten by worms for his blasphemy. and he’s talking to the great grandson of Herod the Great who built the city of Cesaria for the worship of Augustus Caesar. And so you you couldn’t have a more hostile setting for Paul to speak to. And what does he do? He boldly proclaims Christ. And he ends it by saying uh I pray that not only you, meaning Herod agria, but all of you would become as I am a Christian except for these chains. And what’s truly amazing about this is that this is what is going to happen with Cesaria. But what’s happening at this point is the gospel of Jesus is spreading throughout Cesaria. And so the Roman authorities have to fight against this. And the way they try to stop it is by torturing and killing Christians. The early church historianius who lived in Cesaria and his book the church history reported some of the many martyrdoms at Cesaria. An example of this says three prominent confessors of Christ at Cesaria were also crowned with martyrdom by becoming food for wild beasts. Another example tells us that at Cesaria, Marinus, honored with high rank in the army, was accused of being a Christian and did not sacrifice to the emperors. Marinus was asked to choose. And when he steadfastly confessed his Christianity, he was beheaded for his witness to Christ. So the Romans are executing Christians for their faith. And all somebody has to do to escape this punishment is worship the emperor and curse Christ. This practice is described by Plenny, a Roman governor in a letter to the emperor in around AD 1112. Plenny says, “In the case of those who were denounced to me as Christians, those who offered prayer with incense and wine to your image and moreover cursed Christ, these I thought should be discharged. Those who persisted, I ordered executed.” So the message of Jesus, what it does is it undermines the authority of the Romans. uh they have to try to stop this. Uh nobody is going to be worshiping the emperors if they’re worshiping Jesus. And so uh this is affecting the temple worship. It’s affecting the culture and the religion and everything. And so they come against it at full force and they try to stop it. But here’s the thing is that the gospel is so powerful it can’t be stopped. And even though the punishment is so severe and the persecution so widespread, it seems like the more persecution, the more people become Christians. And so things get rather desperate as they make everything more and more intense, but they can’t hold back the gospel and eventually it takes over. The excavations in Caesaria on this uh temple mount platform uh really bear witness to the transformation that Caesaria went through because what they found there was at some point after the Byzantine period begins. The temple to Augustus Caesar is destroyed by fire and over the top of that destruction is built a huge octagonal church. So I see the walls of the octagonal church here and then I see outer walls also in the shape the same shape. This is where the temple to Augustus Caesar stood who was worshiped in his lifetime as a god as a divine king. And then later in history through the gospel, the message of who Jesus is and what he had done for mankind, this pagan temple was destroyed and raised in its place was a Christian church where the true divine king was worshiped. We’ve already seen that Paul tells his testimony in Cesaria. In other words, he’s telling the story of his own transformation. And that’s really what we’ve done here in this video is we’ve told the story of Cesaria and it goes like a testimony. Uh this is what Cesaria used to be. It used to be this pagan stronghold of Judea. But then Jesus came to Cesaria and transformed it and it became over time through a lot of persecution but over time it became not only a Christian city but one of the most influential Christian cities in the world. So I began this video talking about the harbor that Herod the Great built at Cesaria and he did this to provide this direct uh connection between Rome and really bring Rome to Judea. And that message was this. It was that these mere men, these emperors in their pride were proclaiming themselves to be God and worthy of worship. But what happened is that God turned that around and used the harbor in the opposite way to bring the message of Jesus from Judea out to Rome and to the rest of the world. And that message was quite different. It was that God himself in humility had become a man and even humbled himself to the point of dying on a cross so that men could be forgiven their sins. This is what makes what is unclean clean. And this is the message that went out from Cesaria in power and continues to spread around the world to this day. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button. and it really helps get this information out for us. Also, I’m going to leave a list of links in the description where you can order a copy of my book, where you can leave a taxdeductible donation, and where you can check out the tours that I lead in the Bible lands. We have many more videos like this on our YouTube channel, and so you can check out another video right here. And thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time.