Philadelphia was founded by the Pergamene king Attalus II (159-138 BC), which is the newest of the Seven Churches’ cities. When the Romans attempted to turn Attalus against his brother Eumenes II, he remained loyal, thereby earning the nickname “Philadelphus” (Polybus 30:1-3; 31.1; 32.1). The name of the city reflects the love between these brothers. Philadephia was strategically situated along the imperial post road that ran from Rome through Troas, Pergamum, and Sardis through to Tarsus and the east. Another road running eastward was an “open door” to Phrygia (Revelation 3:8).

Filadélfia Ammia e Quadratus eram profetas cristãos que ministraram em Filadélfia durante o reinado de Adriano. O movimento montanista, que começou no final do 2C, teve suas origens 10 km a leste de Filadélfia em Ardabav. Com suas duas profetas Prisca e Maximila, Montanus ensinou que Paraclete (Espírito Santo) viria pouco antes do segundo advento.