sign in sign up
<<
Home , Acts 19, Acts 20

1 April 8, 2020 COMMUNITY STUDY 2019-2020 THE BOOK OF ACTS The Third Missionary Journey – Part One (:23-20:1)

Introduction Luke now begins to write to his friend, , about the origins of what we call Paul’s ‘third missionary journey.’ He indicates that Paul paid visits to the churches he had planted in and , with the purpose of strengthening the disciple. He then traveled through the interior to . He had promised the disciples there that if it was God’s will, he would return. The city of Ephesus was one of the most important and strategic cities in the Roman province of . (see the map)

Founded in the 10th century BC, it flourished under the control of the Romans. The Temple of Artemis was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was originally built in 550 BC, and was destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. Today, only one column remains standing in the middle of a swamp, whose mosquito born disease wiped out the city before being rebuilt at its current site, two miles away. The visible ruins of the city are stunning. Upon arrival at the harbor, you stepped onto a stunning white marble thoroughfare leading to the twenty-five thousand seat theater. Turning right at the theater, you passed a spacious agora or shopping area and then saw the monumental Library of Celsus, the second largest in the world. Before you were multi-storied condos built into the hillside, featuring frescoes, mosaics and hot steam and water. Above them was a complex of governmental offices, a medical center dedicated to Asclepius, and Roman temples and statuary. Graveyards have been discovered bearing witness to the Roman practice of infanticide – abandoning newborn infants, leaving them exposed to die. Also the graves of gladiators have been discovered there. Priscilla and Aquilla had been left behind in Ephesus when Paul returned to . Their ministry had been fruitful. Paul would now invest the next two years of his work there in Ephesus. We read a remarkable statement:

2 All the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia, heard the Word of the Lord. :10 . Following Paul, Ephesus became the center of leadership for the Apostle John. He was exiled from Ephesus to Patmos during the persecution of the Roman Emperor, Domitian. It was there that he recorded his vision of the Book of Revelation. According to church history, John died there, sixty-eight years after Christ’s crucifixion and . An enormous basilica was built above Ephesus I, and named in his honor.

Discover • Paul’s Journey toward Ephesus Acts 18:23 • in Ephesus Acts 18:24-28 • Paul’s Arrival in Ephesus Acts 19:1-7 • Paul’s Teaching in the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus Acts 19:8-10 • Paul and the Mighty Miracles of God Acts 19:11-20 • Paul’s Future Plans Acts 19:21-22 • A Riot in Ephesus Acts 19:23-41 • Paul’s Departure for :1

Dig In Paul’s Journey toward Ephesus Acts 18:23 • Let’s read the text After spending some time in , Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples. Apollos in Ephesus Acts 18:24-28 • Let’s read the text Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of , came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about accurately, though he knew only the of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When heard him, they invited him to their home and explained the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. • Who was Apollos? What kind of name is it, from what ethnic group? (v.24) • Who was Apollo in Greek mythology? One of the twelve gods who live on Mount Olympus. He was known as the god of music, poetry, light, prophecy, and medicine. 3 • What do we know about Alexandria? • What were the strengths he possessed? (v.25) • What were his limitations? • Why were Priscilla and Aquilla in Ephesus? (see Acts 18:19) • What impressed them about Apollos? (v.26) • How did they seek to strengthen his leadership? • Would Apollos have been a good fit for leadership in Achaia? Why? (v.27) • Why was he so such great help to those who had by grace believed there? (v.28)

Paul’s Arrival in Ephesus Acts 19:1-7 • Let’s read the text While Apollos was at , Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of . He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. • What may have prompted Paul to ask them about the Holy Spirit? (v. 2) • Why do you think Luke included this exchange about baptism here? (vv. 3-4) • What distinguished John’s baptism from Christian baptism? • Following their baptism in Jesus’ name, what did Paul do? (vv. 5-6) • What took place as a result? • Why is this significant?

Paul’s Teaching in the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus Acts 19:8-10 • Let’s read the text Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. • What was the impact of Paul’s speaking in the synagogue? (v. 8) • What was the topic that he spoke about? Why was this? While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. Luke 19:11 • What was the response from those of the synagogue? (v. 9) • What were the disciples and followers of Jesus called? • How did Paul respond to those from the synagogue? • How long did Paul have discussions in Tyrannus’ lecture hall? • What was the result of his investment there? (v.10) 4

Paul and the Mighty Miracles of God Acts 19:11-20 • Let’s read the text God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of , a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day, the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. • Is there a connection between the miracles God performed through Paul and what he taught in the synagogue? (vv. 11-12) • What do you think might have motivated the sons of Sceva to invoke the name of Jesus? (vv. 13-14) • What was the response of the evil spirit to their invoking the name of Jesus? (v.15) • What happened to them? (v.16) • What happened in the town of Ephesus as a result of this? (v. 17) • How did some of the believers respond to these happenings? Why? (vv. 18-19) • Why were the scrolls so valuable? (A drachma is silver coin, worth about a day’s wages – the value equivalent to more than 139 years of wages. Ephesus was a center for magical incantations. Numerous documents bearing alleged magical formulas and secret information have been unearthed there. The value was not due to their quality, but to the supposed power gained by their secret rigamarole of words and names. TNIV Study Bible note) • What happened as a result? (v.20)

Paul’s Future Plans Acts 19:21-22 • Let’s read the text After all this happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit also.” He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. • Why do you think Paul wanted to go back to Macedonia and Achaia? (v.21) • What was his ultimate goal? • Who were the team members he sent ahead of him to that area? (v.22) Timothy had joined Paul in on his second missionary journey. Erastus is known to us from the list of ministry partners that Paul gives in Romans 16. The Letter to the Romans was likely written from Corinth. Erastus was the city’s director of public works. (Romans 16:24)

The Riot in Ephesus Acts 19:23-41 • Paul chose to stay in the province of Asia a little while longer. (v.22) 5 • What took place was a great disturbance about the Way. (v. 23) • We will cover the riot or great disturbance in four sections The source of the disturbance was a disgruntled silversmith (vv. 23-27) • Let’s read the text A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis (Diana in Rome), brought in no little business for the skilled workers there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty. • What was the reason for calling the trades together? (vv. 24-25) • Who did he blame for his concern? Why? (vv. 26) • What were the two concerns that he voiced? (v. 27) • What was the basis of his emotional appeal?

The fury of the crowd that followed Demetrius’ inflammatory speech (vv. 28-31) • Let’s read the text When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting, “Great is Atemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed together into the theater. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. • What happened in the city because of Demetrius? (vv.28-29) • Whom did they seize? Why? (We also meet Gaius in Romans. Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, send you his greetings. Romans 16:23 • Where did they take them? • What was Paul’s response? (v. 30) • Did his friends think this was a good idea? (v. 31)

The assembled crowd was both confused and inflamed (vv. 32-34) • Let’s read the text The assembly was in confusion. Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. The Jews in the crowd pushed to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” • Describe what was going on in the crowd. (v. 32) • How do you think you would have reacted? • Why did the Jews want to push Alexander to the front? (v. 33) • Why were they shouting instructions to him? 6 • What do you thing his defense was going to be? • What happened instead? (v. 34) A wise public official takes control (vv. 35-41) • Let’s read the text The city clerk quieted the crowd and said, “People of Ephesus, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. If, then, Demetrius and his associates have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case, we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it. After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. • How does this official take the steam out of the crowd? (v. 35) • What does he affirm? • What does he counsel the crowd not to do? (v. 36) • What does he say about Paul’s ministry partners? (v. 37) • What is the appropriate remedy for Demetrius? (v. 38) • What does he infer about the assembly? (v. 39) • What possible danger are they facing from the Roman authorities? (v. 40) • What happens in the end? (v. 41)

Paul’s Departure for Macedonia Acts 20:1

Discussion • What questions does this passage raise for you? • What insights have you gained? • Is there anything here that you want to pursue further? • What do we learn about the work of ministry in the body of Christ? • How will this play out in Paul’s future ministry in Achaia? See 1 Corinthians 3:1-4