33rdrd MISSIONARY JOURNEY MISSIONARY JOURNEY

ACTS 18:23 - 21:14 ACTS 18:23 - 21:14

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Paul sails from Corinth with Priscilla and Paul sails from Corinth with Priscilla and Aquilla to Syria (Antioch)Aquilla to Syria (Antioch)

Stop off at Ephesus, P and A stay, Paul Stop off at Ephesus, P and A stay, Paul sails on to Caesarea (presumably Mother sails on to Caesarea (presumably Mother Church/ James etc)Church/ James etc)

After reporting all that had gone on Paul After reporting all that had gone on Paul goes on to Antioch.goes on to Antioch.

While in Antioch he visits the Church in While in Antioch he visits the Church in Galatia and PhrygiaGalatia and Phrygia

APOLLOS 18:24-28APOLLOS 18:24-28

Jew from AlexandriaJew from Alexandria Very knowledgeable in scripture/ highly Very knowledgeable in scripture/ highly

educatededucated Good speakerGood speaker Only knew “the Baptism of John”Only knew “the Baptism of John” After instruction from Priscilla and Aquila, After instruction from Priscilla and Aquila,

went to Achaia (Greece/ Athens and went to Achaia (Greece/ Athens and Corinth…see 1 Cor1:12; 3:4-11) Corinth…see 1 Cor1:12; 3:4-11)

APOLLOS JOURNEY

ACTS 19:1-7ACTS 19:1-7 The Disciples of John The Disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesusthe Baptist at Ephesus

Paul finds a group of disciples of John the Paul finds a group of disciples of John the Baptist in the church at Ephesus. Baptist in the church at Ephesus.

They do have Johns’ baptism for They do have Johns’ baptism for repentance, but do not know anything about repentance, but do not know anything about the Holy Spiritthe Holy Spirit

Paul baptises them in the name of Jesus, Paul baptises them in the name of Jesus, and lays his hands on the disciples. and lays his hands on the disciples.

They receive the Holy Spirit and begin to They receive the Holy Spirit and begin to talk in tongues and prophecy. talk in tongues and prophecy. – These are two marks of the Spirit, 1 Cor 14. These are two marks of the Spirit, 1 Cor 14.

Also see 8:14-17, 10:44, where the Spirit is Also see 8:14-17, 10:44, where the Spirit is given through Petergiven through Peter

ACTS 19:8-10 The Foundation of the ACTS 19:8-10 The Foundation of the Church of EphesusChurch of Ephesus

Paul Paul spends 3 spends 3 months months preaching in preaching in synagogue, synagogue, but but opposition opposition he taught in he taught in the “Hall of the “Hall of Tyrannus”.Tyrannus”.

Paul distances himself from the synagogue. Paul distances himself from the synagogue.

Paul stays on for a further two years. (See Paul stays on for a further two years. (See 20:31, may be even longer)20:31, may be even longer)

ACTS 19:11-20 The Jewish ACTS 19:11-20 The Jewish ExorcistsExorcists

This story may be Luke adding later legend about This story may be Luke adding later legend about Paul (Haenchen “Paul (Haenchen “ActsActs”) -we know from elsewhere ”) -we know from elsewhere that there were people using the name of Jesus to that there were people using the name of Jesus to cast out demons without being believers (Mark cast out demons without being believers (Mark 9:38-40). 9:38-40).

This is reminiscent of the miracle in 5:15, where This is reminiscent of the miracle in 5:15, where the shadow of the apostles brings a cure. v.20 is the shadow of the apostles brings a cure. v.20 is a typical way of ending this episode.a typical way of ending this episode.

50,000 drachmas (1 drachma = 50,000 drachmas (1 drachma = 1 days labour) a1 days labour) a lot of money!!!lot of money!!!

ACTS 19:21-22 Paul’s PlansACTS 19:21-22 Paul’s Plans

A hint at where Paul’s interests really lie, A hint at where Paul’s interests really lie, Rome. Rome.

TimothyTimothy is not given much of a leading role is not given much of a leading role in Acts, but in Paul’s writing he plays a much in Acts, but in Paul’s writing he plays a much greater role (Rom 16:21; 1Cor 4:17; 16:10-greater role (Rom 16:21; 1Cor 4:17; 16:10-11; 2Cor 1:1; Philippians 1:1; 2:19-23), 11; 2Cor 1:1; Philippians 1:1; 2:19-23), ErastusErastus is listed in Romans 16:23. is listed in Romans 16:23.

ACTS 19:23-41 Ephesus : The ACTS 19:23-41 Ephesus : The Silversmiths riotSilversmiths riot

DemetriusDemetrius gives a speech; gives a speech; – Paul is persuading people to turn away from Paul is persuading people to turn away from

their traditional gods in favour of The Way. their traditional gods in favour of The Way.

In this speech Luke shows what the In this speech Luke shows what the Silversmiths real reason to be, profit!! False Silversmiths real reason to be, profit!! False gods indeed! gods indeed!

They made small shrines to the god Artemis They made small shrines to the god Artemis (Diana) they might have been copies of the (Diana) they might have been copies of the shrine which was one of the Seven shrine which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.. “Great is Artemis..”Wonders of the World.. “Great is Artemis..”

The crowd drag The crowd drag two of Paul’s two of Paul’s companions companions ((GaiusGaius from from Derbe, 20:4; Derbe, 20:4; AristarchusAristarchus from from Thessalonica, Thessalonica, 20:4; 27:2; 20:4; 27:2; Colossians 4:10; Colossians 4:10; Pilemon 24) to Pilemon 24) to the Theatre, this the Theatre, this could hold about could hold about 24 000 people. 24 000 people.

Vast number of people involved and that Vast number of people involved and that anti-Semitism is running high. The Jews anti-Semitism is running high. The Jews feel threatened and push forward feel threatened and push forward Alexander to offer a defence. He is Alexander to offer a defence. He is shouted down. shouted down.

It is left to the town clerk to calm the riot. It is left to the town clerk to calm the riot. He offers a defenceHe offers a defence– the Christians are no threat, and the rioters the Christians are no threat, and the rioters

are finally calmed when they are told that are finally calmed when they are told that they can go to law if they are not satisfied.they can go to law if they are not satisfied.

Paul takes no part in this and is in fact warned Paul takes no part in this and is in fact warned by friends not to try to defend his preaching. by friends not to try to defend his preaching.

We get a clear picture of the opposition to the We get a clear picture of the opposition to the Way, Way,

Luke the skilful storyteller, keeps Paul at the Luke the skilful storyteller, keeps Paul at the centre of the action without him even taking centre of the action without him even taking part. part.

The implication of the whole episode is The implication of the whole episode is that the church is no threat to anyone, that the church is no threat to anyone, not to economics or to governments. not to economics or to governments.

No legal charge is brought by No legal charge is brought by Demetrius and his followersDemetrius and his followers

It is a local politician who is not a It is a local politician who is not a Christian, who defends the apostlesChristian, who defends the apostles

ACTS 20:1-6 Paul leaves EphesusACTS 20:1-6 Paul leaves Ephesus In spite of v.3 In spite of v.3

“three months“three months” it ” it is difficult to work is difficult to work out an actual out an actual time scale. time scale.

The travellers The travellers have to abandon have to abandon their original plan their original plan as they are as they are plotted against plotted against by Jews. by Jews.

There might also be other reasons, such There might also be other reasons, such as the money collected for relief of the as the money collected for relief of the brothers in Jerusalem (24:17, Romans brothers in Jerusalem (24:17, Romans 15:25-27, 1Cor 16:1-4, 2Cor 8:23). 15:25-27, 1Cor 16:1-4, 2Cor 8:23).

The list of the companions and their home The list of the companions and their home district might suggest this.district might suggest this.

““We” enters the narrative again v.5. This We” enters the narrative again v.5. This gives the eyewitness credibility to the gives the eyewitness credibility to the following account ...following account ...

ACTS 20:7-1 At Troas Paul Raises a Dead ManACTS 20:7-1 At Troas Paul Raises a Dead Man

This happens on a Sunday. This happens on a Sunday.

The young man, Eutychus grew sleepy The young man, Eutychus grew sleepy (probably not just because it was late but (probably not just because it was late but also because of the fumes from the lamps) also because of the fumes from the lamps) and fell out of the window and died. and fell out of the window and died.

The boy is revived and they celebrate the The boy is revived and they celebrate the eucharist. eucharist.

This is a similar incident to Peter’s raising of This is a similar incident to Peter’s raising of

Tabitha (9:36-43), but Paul’s miracle comes Tabitha (9:36-43), but Paul’s miracle comes at the end of a very successful mission and at the end of a very successful mission and almost seems to give divine consent to the almost seems to give divine consent to the mission of Paul. mission of Paul.

ACTS 20:13-16 From Troas to MiletusACTS 20:13-16 From Troas to Miletus

““We” again...(see We” again...(see later) and Paul later) and Paul arranges for an arranges for an overland route. overland route.

It is suggested that he wanted some It is suggested that he wanted some solitude, and with the “anxious to be in solitude, and with the “anxious to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost” of v.16, the reader Jerusalem for Pentecost” of v.16, the reader sees Paul as the pious Jew. sees Paul as the pious Jew.

The journey is not just to take the collection The journey is not just to take the collection it is also for religious reasons. it is also for religious reasons.

ACTS 20:17-38 Farewell to the Elders of ACTS 20:17-38 Farewell to the Elders of Ephesus at MiletusEphesus at Miletus

This is the only speech in which Paul This is the only speech in which Paul addresses “elders” of the church.. The addresses “elders” of the church.. The speech can be divided in to four parts; speech can be divided in to four parts;

1.1. Reflects on the past (v.18-21)Reflects on the past (v.18-21)

2.2. addresses the present (v.22-24)addresses the present (v.22-24)

3.3. anticipates the future (v. 25-31)anticipates the future (v. 25-31)

4.4. concludes with blessings and concludes with blessings and instruction. (v.32-35)instruction. (v.32-35)

Part I 20:18-21Part I 20:18-21

Paul emphasises his way of life, that he Paul emphasises his way of life, that he has always preached a true and authentic has always preached a true and authentic kerygmakerygma. .

Repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing was or is hidden, like Christ. Nothing was or is hidden, like some religious cults. some religious cults.

Part II 20:22-24Part II 20:22-24

The nature of the Paul’s journeys have The nature of the Paul’s journeys have always been led by the Spirit. always been led by the Spirit.

He must follow what the Spirit directs He must follow what the Spirit directs even though he is unsure of what will even though he is unsure of what will happen but Paul is prepared to face the happen but Paul is prepared to face the future.future.

His duty is to follow Jesus, even to give His duty is to follow Jesus, even to give his life for the gospel. his life for the gospel.

Part III 20:25-31Part III 20:25-31

Paul has held nothing back in his preaching Paul has held nothing back in his preaching but clearly there is already heresy in the but clearly there is already heresy in the church. church.

He reminds the elders of their responsibility He reminds the elders of their responsibility to the church that he cannot be there to to the church that he cannot be there to oversee that true doctrine is taught, the oversee that true doctrine is taught, the elders must ensure that the truth is elders must ensure that the truth is maintained, maintained, they must be on their guardthey must be on their guard!!

Part IV 20:32-35Part IV 20:32-35

All the congregations are commended to All the congregations are commended to God’s care, and they must remember how God’s care, and they must remember how he ministered to them – he ministered to them –

it was not for money. Paul and the others it was not for money. Paul and the others supported themselves ( 1Cor 4:12; 2Cor supported themselves ( 1Cor 4:12; 2Cor 11:19; 1 Thess 2:9; 2 Thess3:8 ). 11:19; 1 Thess 2:9; 2 Thess3:8 ).

Paul quotes Jesus, (but these words are not Paul quotes Jesus, (but these words are not found in the gospels.)found in the gospels.)

The final scene is touching and sad. The final scene is touching and sad. Farewells and kisses and the prediction that Farewells and kisses and the prediction that he will never see them again.he will never see them again.