Acts.11

Paul’s Third Journey (pt 1)

Acts 18:23-20:6

Bible Passages: Acts 18:24–28, Acts 19:1–10, Acts 19:11–20, Acts 19:21–41, Acts 20:1–6

Summary: Paul's third missionary journey emphasizes the spread of the Gospel, the empowerment of disciples, and the opposition faced along the way.

1. Apollos: A Teachable Spirit

Acts 18:24–28 “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.”

Apollos - Eloquent, mighty in Scriptures, instructed, fervent, spoke and taught accurately. He was a great apologist, teacher, and grace believer. Not mentioned; he was humble and teachable and willing to be mentored. Something often overlooked is that a couple Aquila and Priscilla; a man and woman taught him! Don’t be so proud you don’t learn from half the church. This also shows us that while Aquila and Priscilla sat under Paul that they learned enough by grace to teach a man like Apollos.

The Disciplined Disciple will learn this lesson here: 1. That no one is above being taught and learning. Be like Apollos; seek to be discipled, seek to be taught. And 2. be like Priscilla and Aquila; learn what you can from the ministry you are in, you need to pass it on.

He lacked one critical piece of information. Not needed for Salvation, but vital to Discipleship, Spirit baptism.

Baptisms in the Bible

Baptism of Moses - A Type for Christians

1 Corinthians 10:1–3

Baptism of John - Repentance

Mark 1:4

Acts 18:24–25

Acts 19:1–7

Baptism of Jesus - Identification - Start of Ministry

Matthew 3:13–17

Baptism of Fire - Future Judgment

Matthew 3:11–12

John 5:22

Matthew 13:24–30

Matthew 13:36–43

Revelation 20:15

Baptism of the Cross

Mark 10:35–39

Baptism for the Dead - in ERROR they still believe the resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:29

Baptism of the Holy Spirit - into the Body R.I.B.S. (with gifts for the edification of the body)

John 1:33

Galatians 3:27

1 Corinthians 12:31

Matthew 3:11

1 Corinthians 12:13

Acts 1:4–5

Acts 2:1–4

Ephesians 1:13–14

Acts 10:44–48

Acts 19:1–6

Baptism for Believers in Water - Symbolic and a Testimony thus an Ordinance

Matthew 28:19

Romans 6:3–4

2. Disciples: Empowered by the Spirit

Acts 19:1–10 “And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all. 8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

Paul is finding disciples that are saved but not taught. He fills in the blanks of their understanding of the baptism of the Spirit. This was a unique situation that showed us dependence on the local church, leadership, and apostles. This laying on of hands is a personal submission to and acknowledgment of Paul’s apostleship.

The school of Tyrannus - a two year Bible School with an academic program which included a summer outreach program that impacted all who dwelt in Asia!

School - σχολή schole - a lecture hall

Reasoning - διαλέγομαι dialegomai (from λεγω lego to say or tell) It means to have a dialogue or a discourse or discussion.

3. Miracles: God's Authentic Power - True Spiritual Authority

Acts 19:11–20 “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”

Luke highlights Paul’s ministry as it parallels Peter’s when it comes to signs and miracles. Perhaps as a validation of Paul’s apostleship.

Miracles of Peter and Paul

Healed the Lame

Acts 3:2

Acts 14:8

Shadow and clothing brought Healing

Acts 5:15

Acts 19:12

Exorcisms

Acts 5:16

Acts 16:18

Dealt with Sorcerer

Acts 8:18–20

Acts 13:6–10

Brought back the Dead

Acts 9:36–40

Acts 20:9–10

Raising the dead

Laying on of hands to give gift of Spirit

Healings directly and by inanimate objects.

Others wishing to have gift, but cannot be bought or counterfeited.

Simon the sorcerer. Sons of Sceva

The seven sons of Sceva sought to use the power of ‘the Jesus that Paul preached’ (Acts 19:13). They lacked a personal knowledge of the Lord. The evil spirit said to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Don’t depend on another's faith. Parents teach your children to have a solid relationship with the Lord.

The result was :17 The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified and :20 the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. (many burned books = 50,000 pieces of silver or 50,000 days of labor = ~137 years of labor!)

4. Opposition: Resilient Faith

Acts 19:21–41 “When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. 23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.

The Way - an early description of the church. Jesus said He was the Way (Jn 14:6), to be His disciple was to belong to the Way. A derogatory but accurate view of the Church and by default the Christian walk, Paul himself tried to wipe it out Acts 9:1-2 but by Acts 24:14 he confessed he was a member. See also other references in Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22. Another view could be that Christians walk on the narrow way as a look at discipleship. See the Didache’s use of the two ways; “There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways”.

Ephesus was the center of worship for Diana. Diana, also known as Artemis in Greek mythology, was a prominent goddess in Roman and Greek pantheons. The missionaries were putting a damper of idol sales.

32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.”

Paul faced opposition as the growth of Christianity threatened the local economy centered on idol worship. Believers will face inevitable resistance when living out their faith. The Gospel's light often disrupts the status quo but promises transformation. Persevere in these trials. Here quiet patience won the day.

5. Fellowship: Strengthened by Community

Acts 20:1–6 “After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.”

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”

The mission team had grown to at least ten men from many cultures. Notice the “us” in verse 5 and the “we” in verse 6, Luke had rejoined the team.