Our Messages

Having been rescued from the murderous mob by the Roman soldiers, Paul has begged the tribune to permit him to speak to the people. With permission, standing on the steps, he motions with his hand and a great silence falls on the crowd. When he addresses them in their language, they pay all the more attention. He explains how he is a devout Jew, a Pharisee, educated in Jerusalem under Gamaliel, etc. He then testifies how he met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. All goes well until he proclaims the mission to the Gentiles. This ignites such vehement protest that Paul is taken into the Roman barracks for further proceedings. Stay tuned!

Last week, Paul had finally made it to Jerusalem. He took the advice of the elders and participated in a purification ritual so as not to offend the local Jews. However, his attempt to appease them was to no avail. Instead, he is sighted. Jews from Asia started telling lies about him and stirs up a crowd. If the Roman authorities hadn't showed up, Paul would likely have been beaten or stoned to death.

After leaving the elders in Ephesus, Paul makes his way towards Jerusalem. Along the way, he stops in Tyre and Caesarea where the brothers, after being told what would happen to Paul by the Holy Spirit, beg him not to go. However, it is God's purpose and will for Paul to go. Then, once he arrives, he shares his success with the local church leadership in Jerusalem.

Today, we find Paul making the decision to leave Ephesus as he has had great success here. Everyone in the area had heard the message. He decides to move through Macedonia and Achaia, preaching along the way, on his way back to Jerusalem. However, before he goes, the Way causes a riot in the streets.

Chapter 20 of the book of Acts records the conclusion of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey. As we mentioned last week, Paul is making his way back to Jerusalem, hoping to arrive before Pentecost. On his way, he stops in Macedonia and Greece to encourage the brethren there.

Today, we find Paul making the decision to leave Ephesus as he has had great success here. Everyone in the area had heard the message. He decides to move through Macedonia and Achaia, preaching along the way, on his way back to Jerusalem. However, before he goes, the Way causes a riot in the streets.

When Paul left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, he promised to "return. . . if God wills." After he had gone up to Jerusalem, he spent some time in Antioch before embarking on his third missionary journey. He revisits the churches in Asia Minor (modern-day central Turkey), strengthening the believers. We now find him back in Ephesus, where he meets some disciples who knew only John's baptism. Paul tells them about Jesus, and they are "re-baptized." Paul prays for them and lays hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. This is considered to be the Pentecost of Ephesus. Unusual miracles and events take place, culminating with the forsaking of "magic arts," and the destruction of their books. The result is "the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed."

Paul leaves Corinth to head back to Syria so he can report to the church in Jerusalem and head back to his home base at the church in Antioch. Along the way, he temporarily stops in Ephesus, leaving it in good hands with Priscilla and Aquila.

After having limited success in Athens, Paul makes his way to Corinth. Where Athens was a center of culture and learning, Corinth was a city of commerce and debauchery. However, Paul has great success and finds himself nurturing the young church there for a year and a half.

After Paul's enemies follow his team to Berea, he escapes to Athens and waits for Silas and Timothy to come. While there, "his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols." As usual, he reasons with his fellow Jews and devout persons in the synagogue, but he also ventures out into the marketplace every day and speaks to people there. He encounters the philosophers, and they invite him to present his argument. His speech goes well, even quoting some of their writings until he proclaims Jesus's resurrection, producing some mocking. But their interest is piqued, and some of them actually join him.

Paul and Silas make their way into Thessalonica and then Berea having some success but also stirring up trouble. They are known as those who are turning the world upside down!

Paul and Silas had just been thrown in prison, but they react much different than you might expect. Instead of complaining, they pray and sing. And once again, God shows up in a big way.