Lesson 7 - The third missionary journey (A.D. 54-58)

 Lesson 7 -

 The third missionary journey (A.D. 54-58)

Bible portion: Acts 18:23 to 21:16

Memory verse: Acts 20:24-27

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I and innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 

1. The specialties of this journey:

While both the former journeys terminated at Antioch, this journey terminates at Jerusalem. Unlike the former journey, Paul took longer to stay for ministry in one place at Ephesus during this journey. Four of his most famous epistles (1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans) were written during this journey. 

2. The Churches in Asia Minor re-visited. 

Paul got ready for the third very long after the second missionary journey. Towards the close of the second journey, Paul paid a short visit to Ephesus. He had left Ephesushoping to return if the Lord willed. Thus Paul had Ephesus as the first reference in his mind. However, he visited churches at Galatia and Phrygia systematically. Probably, this visit had included the churches planted during the first journey too. While visiting those Churches, he instructed them to take a collection for the sake of the poor believers at Jerusalem. (1 Corn. 16:1, 2)

In Asia:

This Asia is neither continental Asia nor Asia Minor but a province in the south east of Asia Minor. The seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Tyathira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodecia, were in this province of Asia. Besides these seven, there were other churches also in this province, like Colossae, Herpolis, Miletus etc. But Ephesus was the central place of Asia. Paul had a great desire already on his second tour to visit this place, a center of Paganism, superstitions, sorcery etc. But then the Holy Spirit had prevented him. Since the place was ripe and ready for the gospel, Paul was allowed to go this time. 

The City of Ephesus

This city was situated on the bank of river Kaiser near the Mediterranean Sea. This was linked by roads to all cities of provincial Asia. The fame of Ephesus lay in the fact that the temple of the goddess Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was here. The festival of Artemis, which fell in May, attracted large cowards from all over Asia. The idol of Artemis was believed to have fallen from heaven. People in Ephesus made small models of the idol of Artemis and of the temple. Thousands of people earned their livelihoods by making and selling idols. Besides, there was an arena with a capacity of 50 thousand spectators. In brief, Ephesus was an immoral city, the center of idolatry, revelry, and sorcery. 

The foundation laid

Towards the close of the second journey, as Paul went to Ephesus, he had left the Aquila couples back there. While Aquilas and Priscilla were working there, an enthusiastic preacher and scholar named Apollos reached there. He was a man with thorough knowledge of the way of the Lord and spoke the word of God with great power. Apollos was a disciple of John and knew only the baptism of repentance. But Aquilas and Priscilla imparted the accurate knowledge of the scriptures to him, and he accepted it. 

The disciple at Ephesus

Meanwhile, Paul went about visiting the established churches and came to Ephesus, where Paul first met a group of twelve disciples. Probably they were the converts of Apollos. Like Apollos, these men also knew only the baptism of John was that of repentance and required faith in the coming Messiah. What is the difference between John's baptism and Christian Baptism? Chrisitan baptism is to become partakers of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hence the faith in Christ who has already come. Prior to the death of Christ, John's Baptism was acceptable. But John's baptism was done away with and Christian baptism was introduced by the apostles on the basis of the death of Christ. Paul asked a question to the disciples of Ephesus.  Did you receive the Holy Spirit after you believed? From this, we understand that in the first century, everyone was expected to have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Its importance is clear by the fact that Paul's very first question preferred the experience of the Holy Spirit to anything else. Their reply was very interesting, " We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." the next query of Paul was: "Well then, what kind of baptism did you receive?" This makes the names used at baptism very clear to us. Baptism is to be given in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. For so did Jesus Christ command us. The statement is that the disciples at Ephesus were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The phrase is used to distinguish the baptism of the New Testament from the baptism of John. After baptism, Paul, the apostle, prayed for them. Then they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. 

The work at Ephesus:

 With the above-said ministry, Paul began his work at Ephesus. For the next three months, he preached in the Jewish synagogue. Aquilas and Priscilla were fellow workers with Paul in the ministry here too. See how intimate their relationship was. Afterward, Paul was denied freedom in the synagogue as always was the case with him. So APul left them and rented a big school building or lecture hall of Tyrannus. He used this place as his auditorium for the next two years for public address, which he did daily. In addition to this, pul performed the ministry of evangelism with individuals in streets, houses etc. Meanwhile, Paul worked with his own hands to provide for himself and his companions. The continuous labor for about 3 years made Paul physically very weak. Persecution also weakened his health very much. (2Cori 11:1, ICori 15:31, 32).

THE LORD HELPED PAUL IN THE MINISTRY IN MAINLY

TWO WAYS:

i) In strengthening Paul 

ii) In performing unusual miracles through him(19:10-12). 

The insurmountable power of the Gospel shattered the big strongholds of satan there. Those who practiced magic brought their scrolls and burnt them (19:19-20). It cost about fifty thousand silver coins (about thirty thousand rupees). The seven sons of a certain Jewish High priest, who practiced magic arts, tried to imitate Paul in casting out demons. The result was that the demon overpowered them and hurt them, so they ran home naked and wounded (19:13-16). In these instances, the name of the Lord was held in high honor and spread.

As a result of the three years' work, it happened that Churches arose not only in Ephesus but in all the principal cities of Asia. The Churches at Colossae and elsewhere were a result of Paul's work while at Ephesus, although he had never visited those places. Those people who came to Ephesus, a center for religion and commerce, were attracted by the miracles and signs and came to the hall of Tyrannus to listen to God's Word. They got converted and returned to their respective areas as Christian missionaries. Thus it happened that Ephesus, once a center for religious superstition, idolatry, and demons worship, became a Gospel center. It was at Ephesus that Paul wrote the first epistle to Corinthians. The epistle was written in answer to their letter regarding certain matters as well as information that reached Paul through other sources. The purpose of writing this letter was to settle the disorders that crept into the Church. The letter was sent through Titus, his fellow worker.

PAUL LEAVES EPHESUS:

At the close of the work at Ephesus, Paul made a plan to visit Macedonia, Greece, Jerusalem, Rome, etc. (19:21, 22). As he got the door opened for better work, he decided to stay in Ephesus a little longer (ICori 16:8, 9). But about this time, there was a great riot in Ephesus. The cause was a religious blindness mingled with superstition and selfishness (19:23-27). How easily are people stirred up under the guile of religious faith! In spite of such uproar in the city over the apostles, see how bravely and wisely Paul tackled the situation.

Soon after this riot, Paul exhorted the Church and left Ephesus. From there, he reached Macedonia first (probably Philippi) 20:1-2).

There is Macedonia, Paul heard from Titus what impact his first letter to the Corinthian Church had made, and he wrote the second letter and sent it through Titus (2Cori 7:4-12; 8: 16-24).

Then he came to Greece and Corinth, where he stayed for three months.

From here, Paul wrote his notable epistles, namely Galatians and Romans (Act. 20:2, 3; Rom 16:1,23).

RETURNS:

Paul came to Macedonia. There Luke rejoins the party (see 20:5). From Philippi, they reach Troas by ship. In the second journey, what was the episode at Troas? He had the vision of Macedonian call(16:6- 10). This time at Troas, another important event occurred, i.e., raising a dead man (20:7-12). From Troas, they traveled 200 miles and reached Miletus. There Paul gathered the elders from Ephesus and made a very heart-touching sermon to them; if we read his sermon, we can learn how exemplary he was in his manner of life and how faithful he was in his ministry(20: 17-35). Especially take not of his Farwell (20:36-38).

From Miletus, Paul left for Jerusalem (21:1-16). He set sail about 200 miles and reached a place called Patara. Sailing further about 400 miles, he reached Tyre, where he spent seven days with the brothers.

AT THE HOUSE OF PHILIP THE EVANGELIST:

From Tyre, he traveled 55 miles a foot and reached Caesarea. There was the house of Philip, who had been chosen to be one for serving at the table. Who was also responsible for the revival of Samaria. Paul stayed in the house of Philip. Philip's four unmarried daughters were prophetesses. After they had been at Philip's house, a prophet named Agabus came from Judea and predicted about Paul's coming sufferings at Jerusalem. (Acts 21:4, 11). At least worrying about his forthcoming suffering, he bravely faced what would happen to him. He followed the footsteps of his beloved Master, who made up his mind to go to Jerusalem to be crucified (Lk 9:5). Paul counted it to be a blessing to die for the Lord.

Traveling 64 miles by land from Caesurae, Paul reached Jerusalem. He testified to the brothers there all the wonderful things that the Lord did through and for him. Thus ended the third missionary journey of the duration of four years.