Our Messages

Last week, Paul arrived in Caesarea and Felix read the letter from Claudius Lysias. Afterwards, Felix agrees to hear Paul’s case as soon as his accusers arrive. Today, we will see Ananias the high priest arrives with some elders and a spokesman, Tertullus. He delivers his case to Felix against Paul, falsely accusing him of being a plague, stirring up riots, and profaning the temple. Paul then begins to cheerfully give his defense to Felix, explaining that every accusation is false.

Paul's Roman citizenship affords him further protection. A plot to deceive the tribune and murder Paul is uncovered, so the tribune sends Paul by night to Governor Felix under heavily armed guard. Accompanied by a letter from the tribune, Paul arrives in Caesarea and is placed in protective custody until his accusers can come and present their case.

In our last message in the Book of Acts, Paul began his defense to the Jewish mob that had gathered in the temple courts and had followed him after he was arrested and taken to the Roman garrison. As he makes his defense, his last statement to them was to repeat what that the Lord had said to him. “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles." Today we start moments after that statement. Unfortunately, at that mention of the gentiles, mob gets angry and at this point, the tribune orders Paul to be flogged to get the truth from him. However, the revelation that Paul is a Roman citizen saves his hide, literally. The tribune then calls a session with the Chief priests to find out what is going on, but it ends in an angry mob once again. We’ll end the message today with Paul once again being taken into custody for his own safety but being encouraged by the Lord that he still has more to do.

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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.