Sergius Paulus Inscriptions
What Was Found
Multiple inscriptions discovered at various locations in the Roman Empire that reference members of the Sergii Paulii family, confirming the historicity of the proconsul mentioned in Acts 13:7. The most relevant inscriptions include: (1) An inscription from Soli, near Paphos on Cyprus, discovered in 1877, referencing "the proconsul Paulus"; (2) A mid-first-century inscription from Rome naming Lucius Sergius Paulus as one of the curators of the Tiber River under Emperor Claudius; (3) Multiple inscriptions from near Pisidian Antioch naming "L. Sergius Paulus," indicating the family estate was located there. Acts 13 records that after Paul and Barnabas led Sergius Paulus to faith on Cyprus, they immediately traveled to Pisidian Antioch — scholars have suggested Paul went there to share the gospel with the rest of the proconsul's family. Luke's use of the correct title "proconsul" (anthypatos) for the ruler of Cyprus has been confirmed as historically accurate, as Cyprus was a senatorial province at the time.
Acceptance Assessment