Book 8: The Third Missionary Journey

Chapter 37 – Galatia and Phrygia

Narration

Acts 18:23

Paul travelled into Galatia and Phrygia, doing his best to strengthen the believers.  To Paul this task was vital.  Individual believers and groups of believers should never be left to wither on the vine, their faith dying a slow death without support.

Chapter 38 – Ephesus

Narration

Acts 19:1-22

Aquila and Priscilla had been busy in Ephesus, teaching a man named Apollos the truth about Jesus, since he only knew of John the Baptist.  After he had learned enough about Jesus, Apollos went on to Corinth and supported the believers there.

Meanwhile, Paul came to Ephesus and found twelve more disciples who believed in the baptism of John, much as Apollos had done.  These twelve, however, had not met Aquila and Priscilla, so Paul explained to them that John the Baptist had told people  to believe in the one coming after him, that is Jesus.  The twelve accepted his teaching and were baptised into the name of Jesus, after which Paul laid his hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Paul then spent three months speaking in the synagogue, persuading people about the kingdom of God.  As usual, some began to speak evil about The Way, so Paul withdrew with those who would listen and they discussed their faith every day for two years in the school of a man called Tyrannus.  Everyone in the area heard the message about Jesus.

Yet preaching wasn’t all Paul did.  God also did extraordinary miracles through him.  Not only could he cure the sick people he met, but people could even take handkerchiefs or aprons he had touched to sick people and they would recover.

Some Jewish charlatans wanted to have some of the glory of doing miracles.  They took to healing people by pronouncing the “name of Jesus whom Paul preaches”.  On one occasion, they got what they deserved, when a man admitted to knowing Jesus and Paul, but having no recognition of the fakes.  He jumped on them and beat them severely.

Sometimes the results of preaching were as spectacular as they were unexpected.  After all of Paul’s many miracles and the well-deserved beating of the charlatans, many who practiced magic were convinced that Paul was right.  They collected their valuable books of magic and started a bonfire in the sight of everyone.  Books of magic might sell for a high price, but these men recognised that they had no real value at all.

Sketch 38.1

“Ephesus has proved a good base for preaching,” said Paul to Timothy, contentedly one afternoon.

“I agree.  It has kept us really busy.”

“I still find it amazing how many people Jesus can call out from among pagans.”

“And how many of them are already prepared for our preaching before Jesus leads us to them.”

“You’re right.  It is all planned beforehand, isn’t it?  We aren’t the ones who initiate it all or get things organised for preaching.  Yet from Apollos meeting Aquila and Priscilla to my meeting of those dozen followers of John the Baptist, Jesus has prepared the ground here for quick conversions that have formed fertile ground for the entire town.”

“And with Apollos, he was able to preach here and then go on to Corinth so that there was no need for you to hurry back there,” pointed out Timothy.

“Jesus really does work as a powerful general, planning ahead and sending his troops to and fro wherever they are needed most across the empire.”

“He sent me here from Corinth, too,” said Erastus, another believer who had been listening quietly. 

“And we were glad to hear your news from Corinth and enjoyed your help in our preaching as well,” said Paul.  “But now, I believe that I’ve spent enough time here.”

“Where will you go instead?” asked Timothy.

“Ultimately, I want to go to Rome,” said Paul.  “The gospel of Jesus must be presented in Rome – the centre of the empire.”

“So do you want to go there now?” asked Erastus.

Paul wrinkled his forehead and  breathed in as he shook his head slowly.  “I don’t think so.  Right now, I…”   He stopped and sighed.  I’ve been praying about it for a few days, going through various options in my mind, but this morning I started to feel some more guidance in the spirit.  Although it seems strange, given that I want to go to Rome, I feel that I need to go to Jerusalem first.”

“Now?”

Paul gave an ironic smile.  “That leads me to the other unexpected part of this plan of go to Jerusalem.  How would you two like to go to Macedonia now?  I’ll follow you in a while so that I can visit places like Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica and Berea with you before going down to Achaia and visiting Corinth.”

“So you’ll be going to Jerusalem by heading in the opposite direction?” laughed Timothy.

“Pretty much!” smiled Paul.

“If we didn’t have experience with  Jesus controlling his forces, it wouldn’t make much sense, would it?” asked Erastus.

“No, but  he always guides us in ways that convert more people and make the most of unexpected opportunities.”

“So I wonder why you are staying here while we get sent to Macedonia?” pondered Timothy.

“Don’t try to guess too much detail,” said Paul.  “Just take the opportunities you’re given and fill your time with running the race Jesus wants you to run.”

“Have you ever been distracted into concentrating too much on what was about to happen, Paul?”

“In Corinth, it was fear that distracted me.  In other places it has been ill-health at times, where I’ve been forced to slow down and take each day as it comes and even let Jesus deliver the audience to me in my bedroom.  What I’ve learned most, though, is what I said: don’t worry about the future, don’t try to predict the future  or plan for the opportunities I expect – just take the ones I’m actually given.”

“Fair enough,” nodded Timothy.

“I suppose that we should get ready to travel to Macedonia then,” said Erastus.

“We’ll go to Troas first,” said Timothy, “and then cross over by ship to Neapolis and visit Philippi.  I wonder if Luke is still there?”

“I’m already starting to look forward to finding out,” said Erastus.  “And I wonder how Lydia and her family are going?”

“The jailer and his family too,” added Timothy.  “I’ve heard that he has converted quite a few prisoners by telling them about Paul and Silas and that earthquake.”

“Yes.  I’m not so sure about that,” murmured Erastus.  “Inviting criminals into our congregations seems a bit risky.”

“I know what you mean, Erastus,” said Paul, “and I’ve no doubt you’ve seen lots of unrepentant criminals and troublemakers as treasurer in Corinth, but don’t forget that these aren’t criminals any more.  They’ve been cleansed, washed in the blood of Jesus and made pure.  We don’t need to worry about them as long as they keep their new beliefs.”

“I suppose so, but…”

“You’ll have to see what you find there,” said Paul, “but I’m quite confident you’ll like what you see.”

“Now if we leave tomorrow,” said Timothy, “how long will it be before you follow us?  If the Lord wills, we’ll take about 2-3 weeks to get to Philippi and I’m sure we’ll have a lot to keep us busy.”

“I’ll follow you when it seems to be the right time.  As I said, I can’t predict the future, or worry too much about it.”

Narration

Acts 19:23-20:1

Money and religion are a dangerous mix.

While Paul was in Ephesus, the makers of silver shrines of Artemis became upset because they felt their income was declining.  Paul, they said, was to blame, and they got up a mob to prove it.

The objection was couched in religious terms, with great respect being shown to Artemis, but in truth, it was their livelihood that was important to them.

Two hours is a very long time for a massive crowd to keep shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians”, and it was a terrifying time.

Eventually the city clerk was able to get the right mix of threats and cajoling to calm the situation and everything went back to normal.
Once again, it was time for Paul to move on.