Burunche’s Blog

Acts 20:13-38 Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders

13 Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship. 14 He joined us there, and we sailed together to Mitylene. 15 The next day we sailed past the island of Kios. The following day we crossed to the island of Samos, and a day later we arrived at Miletus.

16 Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn’t want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost. 17 But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.

Paul has a sense of urgency inside himself; he feels impelled to make it to Jerusalem in time for the Feast of Pentecost. Now Paul has landed at Miletus and is messaging the elders at Ephesus to come to him. How far will those men have to travel? Miletus was approximately 50 miles (about 80 kilometers) from Ephesus.  Additionally, some sources mention a distance of around 36 miles (about 58 kilometers) depending on the specific routes taken. Miletus was situated on a peninsula near the Meander River, which historically posed challenges for direct land travel to Ephesus.

18 When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now 19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. 20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. 25 “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

Make no mistake! Paul fully realizes that things are about to get worse and that he will soon face intense persecution on a larger scale than he ever has before. To that end, Paul calls the Ephesian elders, both to see them one last time and to leave instructions. As Paul waits for the Ephesian delegation to arrive, he is pondering what he should say and how he should say it. How can Paul condense years of teaching into a few hours? How can he say what he must without confusing the Ephesians with too many details?

How can Paul say a final farewell to men who have become closer than blood brothers, men who have been ridiculed and mocked and attacked in the streets of Ephesus? As Paul waits, he remembers the stories of many of these men, how they have come out of all kinds of depravity to morph into strong church leaders, and yet Paul remains concerned.

28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

How can Paul be so certain that false teachers will arise? Simple. Paul knows the Greeks are always chasing after any new ideas, particularly if they are well-represented and if the would-be teacher is charismatic. After all, the serpent in Eden half-quoted God.

33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

36 When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. 37 They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. 38 They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

The image is seared into my brain. It’s early September 2011, and we are leaving for Ghana one more time. We have been eating lunch with my father and step-mother. As we drive out of the farmyard, my father is standing by the gate, waving good-bye. It’s the last time we will see my father, for three months later, he will die just a few days short of his 89^th birthday. We are going with my father’s blessing, but my heart still breaks at the memory.

Two weeks ago, friends in Ghana conducted a final funeral for Amos Biyimba, one of the local saints. We think Amos might have been 110-115 years old. Amos survived crippling yaws, being cured by penicillin injections given by early missionaries. Later, Amos cooked for missionary nurses and eventually served as a watchman. Amos had a wicked sense of humor, and we remember our conversations with him fondly. We were blessed to say our farewells to Amos in person a few days before his death.

When I consider final good-byes, I remember the Johnny Cash song played at my brother Rus’s funeral. We must say good-bye on this side of eternity, but one day, there will be no more good-byes.

“I’ll Be Waiting on the Far Side Banks of Jordan
I believe my steps are growing wearier each day
Still I’ve got another journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me want to stay
And my one regret is leaving you behind.
 

Chorus:  And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow water, reaching for your hand

But if it proves to be His will that I am first to cross
And somehow I’ve a feeling it will be
When it comes your time to travel likewise, don’t feel lost
For I will be the first one that you’ll see

And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow water, reaching for your hand

Through this life we’ve laboured hard to earn our meager fare
It’s brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
So I’ll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come, then we’ll see paradise.

I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow water, reaching for your hand.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that in Your Kingdom, there are no final farewells, but only temporary partings. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 20 Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece

20:1 When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia. 2 While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece, 3 where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.

4 Several men were traveling with him. They were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 After the Passover ended, we boarded a ship at Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas, where we stayed a week.

Paul has a sense of impending doom. This is now his third missionary journey and his reputation has preceded him to the point that Jews in Greece are plotting against his life. But there are no mistakes in God’s fine economy. God knows that Paul must visit some of these churches again to encourage them one final time, so God uses these threats to direct Paul’s itinerary. Why does Luke list all the men accompanying Paul? Looking at the names, you realize that this was a mixed group, likely composed of those who have taken Roman names as a form of protection. These men are faithful friends and colleagues, prepared to risk the rigors of long voyages over potentially turbulent waters-a mark of their dedication to Paul and to God.

Never overlook names in the Bible! While we might be bored by lists of names, God has allowed names to be included to record honor or dishonor. Read Nehemiah and you realize that God knows exactly who has risked their lives to rebuild Jerusalem and who has refused to help, choosing their own interests instead. We should be encouraged and comforted when we realize that God sees our efforts, our struggles, our dedication, and our sorrows. And now Paul is teaching in Troas for the last time.

Paul’s Final Visit to Troas

7 On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight. 8 The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. 9 As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. 10 Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” 11 Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord’s Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. 12 Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly relieved.

Despite the fact that many people have been healed by contact with handkerchiefs or aprons blessed by Paul, this is the only recorded incident in which Paul acts as an instrument of resurrection. That night, Eutychus was exhausted. He had been out all day on the farm and his body was demanding rest. But this was Paul’s last night to preach, and so Eutychus cheerfully accompanied his friends, climbing the stairs to the third story of the building where there was a large room where the meeting was taking place. But by the time Eutychus reached the meeting, there were no seats left on the floor, so he positioned himself in the window. As usual, Paul’s teaching was both relevant and riveting; however, Eutychus finally fell asleep and then fell out of the window to the stone courtyard below.

“He’s dead!” Someone shouted as Paul rushed down the stairs. Taking Eutychus in his arms, Paul begged the Lord for the young man’s life. Just as people were beginning to weep, Eutychus suddenly drew in a deep breath, opened his eyes, and asked, “What happened?” The same people who had been crying over the death of this young man now began praising God. Paul went back upstairs and spoke for several more hours while friends helped Eutychus return home safely. Paul left Troas shortly after dawn, confident that God was continuing to work in his life.

It’s always tempting to focus on the results of someone’s ministry with no regard for the energy and work that ministry takes. We generally focus on the miracle of Eutychus being healed from injuries that killed him. It begs the question to argue that perhaps Eutychus isn’t really dead; these early believers know a dead person when they see one. Deaths of young people were common and these people knew enough to check pulses or look for signs of breathing. But what about Paul? What did this healing mean for him?

Paul doesn’t know what lies ahead; however, he is becoming aware that he will likely face more opposition and worse suffering in the future. As Paul is rushing downstairs to that courtyard, he is praying and the Holy Spirit begins to reassure him. Paul needs this miracle as much as Eutychus does, for Paul realizes he may run afoul of the Roman government, and the Romans are notorious for imaginative ways of torturing people. Paul has already been stoned and left for dead once. Now God graphically demonstrates to Paul that, if necessary, God can raise him up again. Paul realizes that his life remains in God’s hands.

Hudson Taylor, the founder of the China Inland Mission, was fond of saying that “Man is immortal until his work is done.” Taylor repeatedly faced death in China but eventually died of old age, his body worn from decades of ministry. Paul will leave Troas and travel to Jerusalem, where other forces will work, with Paul eventually winding up in Rome.

As I am writing this, news has come from Nigeria that Boko Haram has beheaded seven Christian leaders. We hear such things and ask “Why?” We forget that the cause for Christ has always been most compelling when people are willing to give up everything, including their very lives. The sudden deaths of these men point out the fact that there’s never a good time for us to sleep spiritually. May God help us to remain spiritually alert, willing to live or die, according to His perfect Will.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please draw us nearer to You each day. Help us to remember that we are Your ambassadors to a lost and dying world. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Riot in Ephesus

23 About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. 24 It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy. 25 He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows:

“Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. 26 But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! 27 Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis—this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world—will be robbed of her great prestige!”

Hoo-boy! Is this guy Demetrius ever a weasel! Ephesus is the site of the temple of Artemis, an architectural wonder and a center of worship for the goddess. Artemis was the goddess of hunting, the wilderness, wild animals, transitions, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity. She was often said to roam the forests and mountains, attended by an entourage of nymphs. The goddess Diana is her Roman equivalent. Artemis was one of the principal goddesses of childbirth and midwifery. In an age when the ability to bear children proved a woman’s worth and when childbirth could be dangerous, Artemis would be a very important deity indeed. (Information from Wikipedia)

The chief organizer of Paul’s opposition is a local businessman named Demetrius, who has a thriving business manufacturing silver shrines of the goddess. It’s quite likely that Demetrius cares little or nothing for Artemis; he might even consider the stories about her as fairy tales fit only for weak women; however, Demetrius cares passionately about wealth and all the ways to get it. Pilgrims stream to Ephesus from throughout the region, either to worship at the temple or merely to view it. Each one of those pilgrims is a potential customer for all kinds of souvenirs, particularly silver shrines. Demetrius is no fool and swiftly realizes that if people begin following the God Paul is preaching, Artemis will be forgotten and his business will fail. Demetrius gathers all the craftsmen working for him, plus all the local businessmen selling the silver shrines of Artemis, plus anybody else he can recruit. Priests from the temple of Artemis enthusiastically join Demetrius’ protest, for they too have been making a comfortable living by promising special prayers and encouraging generous offerings from faithful pilgrims from Achaia and beyond. If Paul succeeds in discrediting Artemis, all these men will have to find other sources of income. So the protests begin and spread throughout Ephesus.

28 At this their anger boiled, and they began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 Paul wanted to go in, too, but the believers wouldn’t let him. 31 Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.

32 Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward and told him to explain the situation. He motioned for silence and tried to speak. 34 But when the crowd realized he was a Jew, they started shouting again and kept it up for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Why would the Jews in the crowd attempt to get Alexander to speak? Remember that wherever they are, the Jews are always a vulnerable minority. It’s likely that many of the Jews are scholars and bankers and money lenders, since these trades are highly portable. With Paul being recognized as a Jew, leaders of the Jewish community are terrified that anti-Semitic protests will break out and they and their families will be attacked and have to flee town for their lives.

35 At last the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak. “Citizens of Ephesus,” he said. “Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven. 36 Since this is an undeniable fact, you should stay calm and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, but they have stolen nothing from the temple and have not spoken against our goddess.

38 “If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them, the courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once. Let them make formal charges. 39 And if there are complaints about other matters, they can be settled in a legal assembly. 40 I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won’t know what to say.” 41 Then he dismissed them, and they dispersed.

Once more, we see God’s wisdom in allowing the Gospel to spread at the time of the Roman Empire. Rome has strict laws against illegal meetings and the Roman courts are very efficient. If the Romans decide that citizens of Ephesus are rioting, they can easily dispatch Roman legionnaires who will like nothing more than to cut down innocent citizens in the streets. No right-thinking person wants to attract the displeasure of Rome. So Demetrius and his horde are forced to disperse, muttering threats under their breath, but returning to their homes.

The temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. What eventually happened to this magnificent structure? The Temple of Artemis faced multiple destructions and rebuilds throughout its history. The first temple was built around 550 BCE but was destroyed by a flood. A second temple was constructed, which was later burned down in 356 BCE by an arsonist named Herostratus, seeking fame. The temple was eventually destroyed by invading Goths in 262 CE and was never rebuilt. Today, only fragments remain, with some pieces housed in the British Museum. Meanwhile, the Gospel remains and has spread throughout the whole world.

What can we learn from this story? The Gospel will always go forward, either because of men’s efforts or in spite of them. It’s possible that many people thought little or nothing of Paul’s teachings until the riots. Once public attention was drawn, there were probably truth seekers who began investigating the teachings of Paul. So even the riots organized to stop the spread of the Gospel may have given it even more impetus. God’s purposes will continue. The question is this: Are we helping or hurting the spread of the Gospel? Are we good advertising for God and his sovereign love and mercy, or are people turning away from God because of us? The possibilities are sobering.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to demonstrate Your grace, Your love, and Your mercy wherever we go. Help us to remember that Your purposes are sure and that even events that appear frightening or harmful can still serve to spread the Gospel. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus

8 Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. 9 But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.

Once more, we realize that when Paul shook the dust of one synagogue off his clothes, he was not cutting himself off from preaching in other synagogues. Paul preached convincingly in the synagogue in Ephesus for three months, but when local religious leaders began stirring up opposition, he simply moved to a public lecture hall donated by a man named Tyrannus. The meetings in that public hall continued for two years.

See what a great sense of humor God has! When Paul was speaking in the synagogue, he was only addressing Jews or believers in Judaism. But once Paul was forced to move to a public lecture hall, anybody could come and listen. As a bustling intellectual and commercial hub, Ephesus attracted people of all walks of life. The hall of Tyrannus is thought to have been located near the famous Celsus library in the heart of Ephesus. When Paul was preaching in the synagogue, he had time constraints. But now that Paul was speaking in a public lecture hall, he could take as much time as necessary, speaking to all kinds of people, and probably conducting lively question and answer sessions in the process. The word of Paul’s teaching would have spread rapidly throughout that part of the Roman Empire, causing the crowds to swell even further. The Jewish religious leaders would have been far better off had they allowed Paul to remain in the synagogue! And now God was about to empower Paul to attract attention in yet another fashion.

11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

It all began when Paul dropped his handkerchief as he was walking toward the lecture hall of Tyrannus. A blind beggar sitting on the steps felt the handkerchief land on him. As the beggar handled the handkerchief, suddenly his eyes were opened and he could see. Another beggar sitting on the steps, lame from birth, asked to see the handkerchief. As soon as the second beggar received the handkerchief, he could feel strength coursing into withered muscles. Leaping up, this beggar began praising God. The word spread rapidly through town, and people began begging Paul to touch handkerchiefs and aprons so that they too could be healed. But the real breakthrough came with Athos’s thirteen-year-old son.

A wicked neighbor had cursed this poor boy, and he had become demon-possessed. When Athos’s wife was cooking, her son had to be restrained, lest he throw himself into the fire. In desperation, Athos went to Paul, begging him to handle the boy’s shirt. As soon as Athos returned home, he offered the shirt to the boy. Flinching, the boy reached out, touching the shirt, and suddenly was convulsed, throwing himself on the floor. But that was the moment of deliverance. The demons were gone, and now the boy was completely free. Word spread like wildfire, and soon others tried to copy Paul.

13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.

One wonders if these itinerant exorcists were actually succeeding or if the demons were simply going into hiding for a short time after they had practiced their incantations. These guys were raking in lots of money for their work, but they were getting all the glory and not God. Above all else, the demons would not want people to trust in the One True Living God; as long as people were trusting in the exorcists, they could be easily manipulated. (The same thing is still true today!) And the demons could always return at an opportune moment. But one day, when the seven sons of Sceva the priest were trying this, even the demon became fed up with their fakery. The possessed man attacked all seven of the would-be exorcists, stripping their clothing and beating them to a bloody pulp.

17 The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. 18 Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. 19 A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. 20 So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

These verses contain truths so simple and fundamental that they can easily be overlooked. There were people who became believers who only destroyed their instruments of sorcery after coming under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. And these foul things were burned. When it comes to idols, charms, fetishes, or anything else that has been used for evil practices, complete destruction by burning is the safest thing to do. And sometimes when ordinary fire fails, God may send holy fire.

There’s a true story about an early missionary in northeastern Ghana who was preaching to a group of villagers. The villagers accepted Christ but informed the missionary that they had one idol that had steadfastly resisted destruction by fire. Just then, the sky darkened. In Ghana, storms move in from the east or northeast. But now looking westward, the missionary and the villagers saw a huge inky black cloud with sharp flashes of lightning moving in rapidly. The villagers and the missionary quickly crowded into a large hut with a tall central pole. With a sudden deafening roar, a bolt of lightning struck the top of the center pole, traveling down the pole and out the door straight to the idol. Although the lightning consumed the idol, none of the bystanders was hurt in any way. God did what men could not, destroying that idol.

21 Afterward Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem. “And after that,” he said, “I must go on to Rome!” 22 He sent his two assistants, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed awhile longer in the province of Asia.

Notice that Paul felt compelled, and this compulsion wasn’t just some ordinary whim. God speaks to us in many various ways, and in this case, God was pushing Paul to go to Macedonia and Achaia. What Paul didn’t know was that this would be the last time he would visit believers in those places. Soon, events would overtake Paul and eventually he would wind up in Rome through the machinations of government.

How do we know if we are being led by the Holy Spirit or if we are just going off on our own? The mark of the Holy Spirit is peace. When God is leading us, if we pray, we will have peace about moving in a certain direction. On the other hand, if the compulsion is not from God, the more we pray, the more difficult it will be to act on that compulsion. It is as if when we consider an action, the idea of it runs away from us at the speed of light and nothing we do will make it feel appropriate. May God help us so that we wait for His leading and follow His commands and not our own impulses.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be obedient to You, no matter how You choose to use us or where You want to send us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 19 Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

19 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. 2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.

“No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked.

And they replied, “The baptism of John.”

4 Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”

5 As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Apollos, that brilliant scholar and teacher from Alexandria, is currently in Corinth, where Priscilla and Aquila are teaching him about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile, Paul has encountered some of Apollos’ students who have been taught about John’s baptism but know little of Jesus. What does Paul do? As the primo disciple to the Gentiles, Paul might haughtily inform these men that their instruction has been woefully inadequate. Paul might gently insult Apollos for having failed to teach these men about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But Paul does none of these things. Paul knows that Apollos has done as much as he can, given his level of knowledge at the time. And these men have not been mis-instructed; they merely need more information. Without preamble, Paul goes on to supplement the gaps in the teaching these men have received, baptizing them in the name of Lord Jesus and laying hands on them so they receive the Holy Spirit.

I completed my general surgery training a long time ago in Charleston, West Virginia. West Virginia mountains do not tower as do the Rockies; however, roads run where the valleys allow them to and where people may be quite poor. Someone might live 30 miles from Charleston and yet require several hours to get there. A typical story would be, “Well, first I walk down the holler to the dirt road, then I walk down the dirt road to the hard road, then I catch a ride into town, and then I take the bus to Charleston.” The head of my surgical program, Dr. James P. Boland, taught us that under no circumstances should we undermine the authority of the family doctors in surrounding small towns, because we wouldn’t be out in one of those towns when people fell sick in the middle of the night while these other doctors would be there and could help. Dr. Boland would have agreed with the Apostle Paul.

The issue of women in ministry is a red-hot topic again because one large denomination has barred women from serving as pastors or deacons. Never mind that one of the greatest missionaries this denomination has ever produced was female, Lottie Moon, or that one of their major missions appeals is named after her.

This morning a friend posted a short video in which a pastor from that denomination is speaking, and this man makes the most sense of anybody I have heard speak on the topic. This man pointed out the fact that there were many people on both sides of the question who could quote Scripture, handling it accurately. Then this man “quit preachin’ and went to meddlin’.” This man pointed out that the main duty of Christians is to witness to people about love and salvation in Jesus Christ, not to argue about doctrinal issues. He continued, contending that if doctrinal issues were now more important than demonstrating the love of Jesus to a lost and dying world, Christians had lost their focus and were straining at gnats while swallowing camels. The speaker concluded that if you did not believe women should be ministers, then attend a church where the pastor was a man. If you believed women could be ministers, then attend a church that welcomed women into ministry. But either way, remember that the most important thing was to tell people about Jesus and graphically demonstrate the love of Jesus.

That famous British evangelist of the nineteenth century, C.H. Spurgeon, frequently emphasized that the name on the life boat was not nearly as important as delivering shipwrecked passengers from death. At one time, Spurgeon was so popular that British newspapers printed his sermons after he had delivered them. One man picked a crumpled newspaper from the gutter, read the sermon it contained, and accepted Jesus on the spot.

2 Corinthians 5:14-17 tells us, “14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

As a highly-qualified intellectual, Paul had a choice; he could have criticized Apollos for inadequate teaching. He could have lorded it over these new believers. But Paul did none of that because Christ’s love controlled him. (Some versions say “constrained,” indicating that the force of Christ’s love was unchangeable and unstoppable.)

It’s wise for each of us to examine ourselves and our motives. Are we sharing the good news of the Gospel because the love of Christ controls us? Or are we sharing something less in hopes of proving ourselves right on some minor point? May God help us to remain grounded in the love of Christ so that we refuse to strain at gnats while swallowing camels!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, on Your love, and on Your Will. May we always serve as channels of Your love and grace. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 18:18-28 Paul Returns to Antioch of Syria

18 Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

19 They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. 20 They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. 21 As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.

Hmm. This is interesting. Paul leaves Corinth, traveling to Ephesus, where he enters a synagogue and reasons with the Jews, who ask him to stay longer. Perhaps this indicates that when Paul was shaking the dust off his clothing at the Jews in Corinth, he was only rejecting that particular synagogue. Paul is a very correct man and observes details. Had Paul rejected all synagogues, he would never enter the one in Ephesus. Now Paul visits churches throughout the area, returning to Galatia and Phrygia.

Apollos Instructed at Ephesus

24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

27 Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. 28 He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.

Now a new star appears in the Christian heavens. Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, comes to Ephesus teaching about Jesus. When Priscilla and Aquila realize Apollos knows nothing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they quietly take him aside and instruct him. Apollos proceeds to Achaia, Greece, where he bears strong testimony to the fact that Messiah has already come and his name is Jesus.

Unfortunately, Apollos is so brilliant that immature believers begin to form sects, some favoring Apollos while others favor Paul. It reaches the point that Paul must write to the Corinthians, saying, “4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?

5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:4-9)

There is never any evidence that Apollos tries to succeed Paul, to undermine him, or to take his position. Apollos understands his place in the Kingdom. But lesser people try to create a group favoring Apollos, perhaps because Paul has offended some of them or because they are hoping that Apollos will not call them out over secret sins. Read more of Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and you swiftly realize that the early church had a lot to deal with. Corinth was a major trading center and every kind of depravity flourished there. It’s likely that some believers were trying to mask their pet sins, hoping that God would allow them to continue to enjoy them privately. Perhaps Apollos would give them the permission that Paul had denied.

There’s something about human nature that encourages personality cults. People are willing to fixate on spiritual or political leaders, on movie stars or rock stars, on athletes, or any other category of fame, in hopes of basking in reflected glory. The general idea is that “if I can’t be a star in some form, I can at least be a follower, a fan.” But Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) apart from Jesus Christ.

George Washington Gale was a Presbyterian minister in western New York who longed to be the instrument of revival in that area, known as the “Burned Over area.” Through Gale’s preaching and the prayers of his church members, an atheist lawyer named Charles Grandison Finney came to Christ. Finney became one of the foremost evangelists of the mid-nineteenth century, a leader in the Second Great Awakening, and his preaching sparked massive revivals. Gale eventually moved to central Illinois, founding Galesburg, a city named in his honor, and Knox College, an educational institution that continues to thrive. Gale planted, Finney watered, but God gave the increase.

Today, may God help us so that we witness to the great things He has done in our lives and point others to salvation in Jesus Christ, being careful to remember that everyone has a place in the Kingdom of God. May God help us to remain free of prejudice or envy.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that You call us to work nobody else can do. Help us to shun comparisons or competition with others. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 18: Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth

1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.

One of the things we’re likely to forget is that Paul was not merely a scholar and a preacher. Part of the rabbinic tradition was for rabbis to have a profession apart from teaching Scripture. In a day and age when tents were everywhere, and tent makers were in great need, Paul was a tent maker. Tent making was a highly portable profession, one Paul could easily practice wherever he found himself. Upon arrival in Corinth, Paul connected with a believing Jewish couple, Priscilla and Aquila. The expulsion of the Jews took place somewhere between AD 41-AD 50 and was due to a variety of issues. Christianity was sweeping through the Jewish community in Rome, and there was intense friction between traditional Jews and those accepting Jesus as Messiah. There may well have been an economic motive, for corrupt rulers have also been eager to expel Jews refusing to pay up.

4 Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”

7 Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

Wow! Wait a minute, Paul! Did you just shake the dust of the synagogue off your clothes? Do you remember what that signifies? After a lifetime of attending synagogues and speaking in them, Paul is turning his back on the practices of a lifetime, and doing it decisively. Jesus advised his disciples to shake the dust off their clothes when a group of people absolutely refused to receive their message. And now this Pharisee of the Pharisees turns his back on the traditional worship places of his own people, choosing to go to the Gentiles, people whom the Pharisees have previously disdained. True, Paul has been preaching to Gentiles for some time; however, he has also been visiting synagogues as much as possible. Is Paul refusing to testify to Jews? Absolutely not! Paul moves right next door to the synagogue, staying in the home of Titus Justus, a Gentile who worships God. Meanwhile, Crispus, the leader of the synagogue and EVERYONE IN HIS HOUSEHOLD believes in the Lord. Revival breaks out in Corinth. The Jewish leaders in the synagogue are probably chewing their beards in frustration.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” 11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.

If you were Paul and you had already endured being stoned and left for dead, and being beaten until your back was raw, you might be hesitant to speak out for Jesus. God knows Paul’s heart and understands his concerns. This is why God speaks to Paul, reassuring him that he should speak out. Ever since God spoke these words to Paul, these words have comforted and inspired pastors and missionaries throughout the world. Few things are more disheartening than isolation, feeling that you are totally alone, lacking anyone who understands your situation and your struggles. Later, Paul will write to the Romans, encouraging them.

Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Acts 18:12 But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. 13 They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”

14 But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. 15 But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” 16 And he threw them out of the courtroom.

17 The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

Once more, these ultra-righteous religious leaders are more than willing to employ market rabble when they want to make a point. The “crowd” grabbing Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, is likely comprised of idle young men from the market place who hang around waiting to get into trouble. These guys are more than willing to stage a riot for a small monetary consideration. Meanwhile, the Jewish religious leaders can remain aloof, pretending they have nothing to do with this situation.

What about Gallio, the Roman governor of Achaia? Gallio is a smart cookie; he has seen this kind of thing before and knows it never ends well for outsiders. If the Jews want to punish Paul because of an infringement of one of their regulations, let them handle it themselves. Mother Roma is a great empire, and great empires don’t involve themselves in settling petty problems involving one particular religious sect.

When, if ever, are we justified in shaking the dust off our clothes against a particular place or group of people? Here Paul shakes the dust off his clothes as a sign that he will never preach in another synagogue. Paul continues to witness to all those around him, but he no longer frequents the synagogues as he has in the past. Why does God allow Paul to take such an action? Perhaps Paul must take a definite step to make a total break with his Pharisaic past. Jesus warned that the new wine of the Gospel could not be poured into the old dried-out wineskins of Judaism, for the new wine would ferment, bursting the old wineskins. This symbolic act is as necessary for Paul as for anyone else, for now he must turn his face to the Gentiles.

In studying Paul, we must remember that Paul has been raised in one of the strictest and most demanding sects of Judaism. Paul is a brilliant rabbinic scholar, a star pupil of Gamaliel, one of the most respected teachers at that time. Paul is a Roman citizen and a native of Tarsus, a city devoted to academics and a center of intellectualism. These attributes, wonderful as they are, can also become hindrances when Paul is trying to reach the Gentiles. In a very real sense, Paul has severed a religious umbilical cord and must now move forward depending solely on God rather than his background and training.

Are we ever justified in shaking the dust of a particular group off our clothing? Maybe. Sometimes groups do this for us. In 1996 we were trying to operate a small hospital in the middle of a tribal war when we suddenly received a starchy message from one supporting church indicating that we “no longer fit their missions’ program.” Later we learned that they wanted to focus on locations where they could indulge in missionary tourism. Well, there’s no doubt that we could not invite these people to come to our remote village that was then under military occupation. And missionary tourism would have been impossible. “Here, see the local technical school that has become a military camp? Sorry, but you can’t run a vacation Bible school because it might look suspicious. Oh, and when you hear gun fire in the morning, don’t worry. That’s only the military shooting off a few automatic weapons to let us know that they are large and in charge….unless the gun fire is from a traditional funeral. On the other hand, if you hear gun shots and then hear screams, you might need to rush to the Oti River and cross into Togo.” That was our reality in 1994-1996.

Another supporting church suddenly chose to eliminate all support for foreign missions, even though we had been friends with the pastor for nearly twenty years. God replaced that support; however, the church subsequently dwindled.

The take-away lesson is this: Be absolutely certain that God is leading you before you make a complete break with any individual or group. Remember that Paul returned to Lystra, even though people in Lystra had stoned him and had left him for dead. And remember that Timothy, Paul’s spiritual son, was from Lystra. In other words, “never say never.”

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be sensitive to Your leading, realizing that You are the One who calls, who guides, and who provides. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 17:1 Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. 7 And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”

8 The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. 9 So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them.

Well, Paul, the troublemaker is at it again. Paul and Silas have arrived in Thessalonica, and for three Sabbaths, Paul preaches in the synagogue. Many of the Jews are thrilled at the good news of eternal life in Jesus Christ; however, there are others who view Paul’s teachings as nothing but a threat. Now these ultra-religious men cheapen themselves, going to the marketplace and collecting rabble who like nothing better than staging a riot. Perhaps money also changes hands; however, there are always idle young men willing to run around shouting, beating the ground with sticks, and generally creating as much noise as possible. These men even go so far as to attack the home of Jason, a local leader, in hopes of finding Paul and Silas.

Frustrated at missing Paul and Silas, Jewish religious leaders then charge the two with treason against Caesar in absentia and also accuse Jason and other believers of treason as well. The charges of treason stem from the proclamation of Jesus as a heavenly king and therefore no competition for Caesar. But the Jews always exist in an uneasy relationship with the Romans, for the Romans demand their Caesars should be venerated as gods while the Jews claim to worship the One True Living God and not Caesar. By bringing these accusations, the Jews hope to solidify their position in the community as upright citizens supporting the Roman rulers. Jason and other believers have no choice but to send Paul and Silas elsewhere.

Paul and Silas in Berea

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

13 But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.

Things are going well in Berea. Paul preaches in the synagogue, and people listen eagerly, searching the Scriptures and realizing that Paul is speaking God’s truth. But Jewish religious leaders from Thessalonica hear about Paul’s success in Berea and rush there to try to incite riots just as they have in their own town. Believers escort Paul all the way to Athens while Silas and Timothy quietly remain, teaching the new believers and encouraging the fledgling church.

Although we would like to think otherwise, the preaching of the Gospel remains scandalous to many people, and they will do everything possible to silence or even kill the preachers. Why should these people feel threatened? What is wrong with the Gospel?

The essence of the Gospel is that God has sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live as a man and die as a perfect blood sacrifice for our sins. Anyone believing in what Jesus has done and trusting in that sacrifice for salvation will receive the gift of eternal life. Paul is preaching to idolators, many of whom are thrilled to learn that they don’t have to keep slaughtering animals in propitiation for their sins. But some Jewish religious leaders are scandalized. For centuries, the Jews have claimed to be waiting for the Messiah. If Paul’s preaching is true, Messiah has come and his own people have rejected him. In addition, if Messiah has come, then some of the most cherished Jewish practices are no longer necessary. Broad-minded men with gladsome spirits such as Gamaliel welcome this news while others, less broad-minded, can only think of this radical message as a threat to the very foundations of their lives and standing in the community. Anytime someone mistakes the form of religion for substance, such conflicts are inevitable. Ironically, these men who claim to be so law-abiding and righteous think nothing of employing troublemakers from the marketplace when necessary. Centuries later, Machiavelli will contend that the end justifies the means. These men are indulging in similar thinking.

Today throughout the world in Nigeria, India, China, Sudan, and even in U.K. and New York City, the Gospel remains scandalous. When men love darkness rather than light, they can ignore spiritual truth, preferring to eliminate the messengers by any means possible. But the life-changing message of God’s love for sinful men and women remains. The question for us is this: What will we do with the Gospel? Will we share it, even at the peril of our lives? Or will we soft-pedal, hoping that somehow if we are simply good people, that will be sufficient? May God help us to remain steadfast, sharing His Good News compassionately but truthfully.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to share the Gospel wherever and whenever we can. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.