Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Today, we are in this unique region known as Cappadocia. This region in Turkey is arid land which has no trees which meant no wood was available to build houses, so people carved dwellings into the rock which was formed from volcanic ash. It was soft enough to chisel out cave dwellings and churches. We visited one underground city that went eight floors deep accommodating thousands of people. It certainly got a bit claustrophobic for some of us!
Christianity was first introduced to this area from the beginning. On the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the church, thousands of pilgrims were there visiting from many regions and cities, including from here - Cappadocia. Many believed in the gospel preached by Peter and were baptised. It is assumed that those who went back to their homes, including those who were from Cappadocia shared what happened resulting in more conversions. We visited two of the estimated 1500 to 1600 cave churches that have since been discovered in this area with many bearing paintings. This was a massive area of refuge and worship for Christians.
30 years later Peter wrote his first letter to a group of growing churches. He wrote, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1 NIV). A study into this verse suggest that the Christians were like the Jews who lived outside Palestine known as “Diaspora”. They were scattered to these places probably because of the commencement of persecution by Nero.
This is one of the reasons for Peter’s letters. He knows that Christians were suffering for their faith in Christ with many ostracized from their community and events, while others treated harshly to the point of persecution. When Nero became emperor in 54AD, these hardships intensified. Christianity was no longer seen as a sect of Judaism but as a cult. Peter knew his days were numbered and so he wrote his letters to encourage the churches in these regions about who they are in Christ, how to live in a pagan community, how to treat each other within families, and some instructions for church leaders. One of his instructions to the church I find fascinating: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:6-10, NIV). How you honour evil leaders ought to be discussed, but the underlining Christian principle is to do good whatever circumstances we face.
Walking around this area trying to get the feel of the early Christians that also walked these spots, I would imagine such letters by Peter not only challenged the believers but brought hope and direction to their lives. And that’s what the Word of God does – it challenges us where we need correction, gives truth where false ideas are everywhere, directs how to love God and one another, and blesses us with hope that the best is yet to come.
In the years that followed, influencers were teaching that Jesus was not God. I’m sure Peter’s letters formed the basis for a group known as the “Cappadocian Fathers” Basil the Great (330–379), his younger brother Gregory of Nyssa (c. 332–395), and their friend Gregory of Nazianzus (329–389), to argue strongly against these influencers which led in 381 the Council of Constantinople (which is modern day Istanbul) to vote against such heresy. We visited the Hagia Irene Church and saw where they sat to debate the issues.
How blessed we are to have God’s Word.
Let’s pray.
Dear God. Thank you for those first Christians who took the gospel back to this very area, which, in time led to Peter’s letters. As we read Your Word, bless us with encouragement, guidance, and hope. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Moyes
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