The archaeological evidence for the historical accuracy of the book of Acts is among the most compelling in all of ancient literature. One of the most decisive confirmations is the discovery of an inscription referring to “Sergius Paulus,” the Roman proconsul of Cyprus mentioned in Acts 13:7. This discovery verifies not only the name and title of the official but also the political status of Cyprus at that exact time. It demonstrates the meticulous accuracy of Luke, who, under inspiration, recorded the events of Paul’s first missionary journey.

The Biblical Account and Historical Context

According to Acts 13:4–12, the Apostle Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the congregation at Antioch of Syria on their first missionary journey around 47 C.E. Their route led them to the island of Cyprus, where they preached in the synagogues of Salamis before traveling westward to Paphos, the capital city. There they encountered a Roman official named Sergius Paulus, described as an “intelligent man.” He summoned Paul and Barnabas to hear the Word of God, but Elymas the sorcerer (also called Bar-Jesus) opposed them. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, pronounced judgment upon Elymas, who was struck with temporary blindness. The account concludes with Sergius Paulus believing, “being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”

This account fits perfectly within the geopolitical realities of Roman administration. Cyprus, a significant province in the eastern Mediterranean, had shifted between imperial and senatorial control. After 22 B.C.E., it was under the authority of the Roman Senate, meaning its chief ruler was indeed a “proconsul” (Greek: ἀνθύπατος, anthypatos). Luke’s precise use of this title demonstrates historical and political exactness. No other term would have been correct for a senatorial province.

The Discovery of the Sergius Paulus Inscription

The name of Sergius Paulus was first confirmed through an inscription discovered near Paphos, Cyprus. The inscription, though fragmentary, reads: “… Proconsul Paulus …” This discovery provided the first direct extra-biblical attestation to the existence of a Roman official bearing this name and title in precisely the right geographical and chronological context.

The inscription was found during excavations in the area of Soli, one of the ancient cities of Cyprus, which was within the administrative domain of Paphos at the time. It is carved in Greek and dates from the mid-first century C.E.—a timeframe consistent with Paul’s visit to the island in about 47 C.E.

The text of the inscription, reconstructed from the extant portion, reads approximately:

“… Sergius Paulus, Proconsul …”

Although short, this fragment’s significance is immense. It confirms the historical accuracy of Luke’s description of Cyprus being governed by a proconsul named Sergius Paulus. Furthermore, archaeological evidence from other locations, including Rome, has yielded inscriptions referring to the gens Sergia—the family to which Sergius Paulus belonged—further strengthening the identification.

Supporting Inscriptions and Family Connections

A second inscription, found in Rome, mentions a “Lucius Sergius Paulus,” identified as a curator riparum et alvei Tiberis (an official in charge of the Tiber River). This man is dated to the reign of Emperor Claudius (41–54 C.E.). Scholars have reasonably associated him with the same Sergius Paulus mentioned in Acts or with a close relative, as the Sergii Pauli were a distinguished Roman family originating from Antioch in Pisidia.

This connection gains additional significance in light of Acts 13:13–14, where Paul and Barnabas, after leaving Cyprus, traveled to Perga and then to Antioch in Pisidia. It is conceivable that Paul’s choice of route may have been influenced by prior knowledge of Sergius Paulus’s ancestral ties to that region. The geographical and historical interconnection of the family, the inscriptional evidence, and the narrative sequence in Acts converge to confirm the precision of Luke’s report.

Archaeological and Historical Significance

The Sergius Paulus inscription provides critical confirmation of three separate facts recorded in Acts:

1. The Existence of Sergius Paulus: The inscription establishes the historicity of the individual named in Acts 13:7.

2. His Office as Proconsul: The exact title used—anthypatos (proconsul)—is archaeologically confirmed, verifying Luke’s administrative accuracy.

3. The Provincial Status of Cyprus: The title confirms Cyprus was a senatorial province at the time, thus governed by a proconsul rather than an imperial legate.

No secular historian of the time records the conversion of Sergius Paulus, but that is not surprising; personal faith commitments of provincial officials rarely appear in Roman political inscriptions. However, the convergence of name, title, and location in a single inscription establishes beyond dispute the historical setting of Acts 13.

This stands in striking contrast to the unfounded criticisms of earlier skeptical scholars of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, who dismissed Acts as a theological fiction. The Sergius Paulus inscription joins a growing corpus of archaeological discoveries—such as the Gallio inscription at Delphi and the Erastus pavement at Corinth—that collectively vindicate Luke’s reliability as a first-century historian.

The City of Paphos and Its Political Setting

Paphos, the capital of Cyprus in the first century, was an important administrative and religious center. The city was famed for the worship of Aphrodite (Venus), whose temple at Old Paphos was among the most revered in the Greco-Roman world. Roman governors typically resided in New Paphos, a harbor city about six miles northwest of the old sanctuary site.

As proconsul, Sergius Paulus would have presided over Roman justice, tax collection, and imperial cult administration. His willingness to hear Paul and Barnabas reveals an intellectual curiosity typical of educated Roman officials of the period, but his belief after witnessing divine power demonstrates the superiority of God’s truth over pagan superstition. Luke’s description portrays a conversion based not on spectacle but on conviction through the Word of God—a mark of genuine faith.

Linguistic and Epigraphic Details

The Greek term anthypatos precisely corresponds to the Latin proconsul. Inscriptions throughout the Roman world show the careful distinction between imperial provinces (governed by legati Augusti pro praetore) and senatorial provinces (governed by proconsules). Cyprus, transferred to senatorial jurisdiction by Augustus, remained under proconsular administration in Paul’s day. The inscription’s correct use of this title underscores both Luke’s familiarity with Roman political terminology and the accuracy of his sources.

The name “Sergius Paulus” is fully consistent with Roman nomenclature. “Sergius” identifies the gens (clan), one of the oldest patrician families, while “Paulus” is the cognomen (family branch name). Such naming conventions were standard for Roman senators and provincial administrators of the first century. The occurrence of this name in multiple inscriptions from the same period and region confirms its authenticity.

Chronological Correlation with Paul’s Journey

Paul and Barnabas embarked from Antioch of Syria around 47 C.E., crossing to Cyprus and landing at Salamis. Their preaching there led them across the island to Paphos, where the encounter with Sergius Paulus took place. The inscription fits precisely within this chronological framework. Claudius reigned from 41 to 54 C.E., and the proconsular term of Sergius Paulus likely occurred early in this period, coinciding exactly with the time of Paul’s journey.

Thus, both internal and external evidence converge: the biblical narrative, Roman administrative history, and the archaeological inscription all align with remarkable precision.

Implications for Biblical Reliability

The Sergius Paulus inscription demonstrates the historical trustworthiness of the book of Acts. Luke’s consistent use of accurate official titles—“politarchs” in Thessalonica (Acts 17:6), “Asiarchs” in Ephesus (Acts 19:31), “first man” in Malta (Acts 28:7), and “proconsul” in Cyprus—reflects detailed first-hand knowledge. No other ancient author of that period demonstrates such precision regarding local and provincial administration.

This level of accuracy can be explained only by the reality that Luke was an inspired historian, guided by the Holy Spirit to record events exactly as they occurred. Archaeology has repeatedly vindicated his account, and the Sergius Paulus inscription stands as one of the clearest proofs of this divine preservation of truth in Scripture.

The inscription also affirms that the Gospel penetrated even the highest ranks of Roman society early in the apostolic era. Sergius Paulus’s faith marks a pivotal moment when the message of Christ’s Kingdom reached a Roman governor—a direct fulfillment of Jesus’ words that His disciples would bear witness “before kings and governors for My name’s sake” (Luke 21:12).

The Broader Archaeological Context of Cyprus

Excavations throughout Cyprus have produced numerous artifacts illuminating the island’s role in early Christianity. In addition to the Sergius Paulus inscription, archaeologists have uncovered Roman villas, temples, and administrative buildings in Paphos, including the proconsul’s palace complex. Mosaic floors depicting mythological scenes testify to the city’s wealth and pagan heritage, against which the Gospel message stood in bold contrast.

The transition of Cyprus from idolatry to Christian faith began here, with Sergius Paulus’s belief marking the first recorded conversion of a Roman governor in Scripture. From this point onward, Paul’s missionary focus increasingly turned toward Gentile audiences, fulfilling his divinely appointed role as “apostle to the nations.”

Theological and Apologetic Value

The discovery of the Sergius Paulus inscription is not merely of historical interest. It powerfully supports the theological affirmation that Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). Every factual statement, every historical reference, and every personal name in the biblical text bears the stamp of divine accuracy. The accuracy of minor details—such as official titles—validates the integrity of greater truths concerning salvation, prophecy, and the person of Jesus Christ.

Moreover, the inscription underscores the reality that the early Christian proclamation was not confined to the uneducated or marginalized but reached even the administrative elite of the Roman Empire. The faith of Sergius Paulus illustrates how God’s Word transcends social barriers and penetrates human hearts regardless of status or station.

Conclusion

The Sergius Paulus inscription from Cyprus stands as one of the clearest and most direct archaeological confirmations of a specific individual named in the New Testament. Its precise correlation with Acts 13:7–12 affirms both the reliability of Luke’s historical writing and the accuracy of the biblical record. It also highlights the providential unfolding of the early missionary efforts of Paul and Barnabas in bringing the Gospel from Jewish synagogues to the Gentile world. In every respect, this inscription upholds the Bible’s divine inspiration and the truth of its historical testimony.

You May Also Enjoy

How Does the Erastus Inscription Confirm the Historical Accuracy of the New Testament?

About the Author

CLICK LINKED IMAGE TO VISIT ONLINE STORE

CLICK TO SCROLL THROUGH OUR BOOKS