Paul’s reasons for embarking on the third missionary journey

• Visiting the churches he had established already.

• Visits meant to strengthen brethren (Acts 18:23)

• Ensuring the spread of the gospel to the “ends of the world”

• To collect offerings from Gentile churches and take them back to the Jerusalem Christians as a
relief to the effects of the draught Agabus prophesied about in Acts 11: 27-30
Places visited in the third missionary journey

Place Highlight Successes Challenges

Ephesus Preached in the

[Link] [Link]
hall of from
the HS to the
Tyrannus for Demetrius,
believers.
two years the
[Link], silversmith
exorcised many. and his fellow
[Link] workers.

turned
to God.

4. Gained
respect
from the
Troas Paul’s people.
Raising of None
prolonged Eutychus
speech

Macedonia Visited churches Encourag None

ed the
believers

Greece Spent 3 months None A plot

against him
by Jew
Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)

• A learned Jew from Alexandria.

• Was eloquent and had thorough knowledge of the scriptures.

• Had been instructed in the way of the lord.

• he spoke with great fervor (enthusiasm) and taught about Jesus

accurately. He also knew about the baptism of John only.
Apollos (continued)
• Spoke boldly in the synagogue.

• Priscilla and Aquila, after hearing him, took him and expounded him
in the way of God more accurately.

• He then went to Achaia (Corinth area in Greece).

• Brethren wrote to the disciples to receive him.

• Upon arrival, helped those who had believed through grace.

• Helped the Christians in public debates with the Jews.

Characterization

Apollos

Humble – though highly learned and was well versed with the
scriptures, he was willing to learn from others (Aquila and Priscilla)

God Fearing

Eloquent
Paul’s arrival at Ephesus (Acts 19: 1-41)

The 12 Disciples (Acts 19:1-7)

• Disciples baptized in John’s baptism.

• Could have believed in the teaching of Apollos

• Were John’s disciples.
• Paul asked if they had received the HS.

• They said they had never heard about the HS but had received John’s baptism.

• Were rebaptized in the name of the lord.

• Paul laid hands on them and they received the HS.

• Spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Water baptism vs Holy Spirit baptism

Water baptism Holy Spirit baptism

By full immersion in water Through laying on of hands/ just falls from

For repentance heaven
Empowerment for ministry
Prepares one for the baptism with the Holy Prepares one for working in church/
Spirit
Symbolizes the washing away of sin (purity) ministry
Symbolized by fire (presence of
God/purity), oil, wind (revival), tongues
(unity & understanding), dove
The Lecture Hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10)
• Thessalonican Jews permitted Paul to teach in their synagogue.

• He did this for three months.

• Some were stubborn and disbelieved.

• They spoke evil of the way before the congregation.

• Paul withdrew from them, taking his disciples.

• Was then compelled to teach elsewhere (the lecture hall of Tyrannus)

P a u l ’ s M i r a c l es
• Extraordinary miracles were performed through the hands of Paul.

• Handkerchiefs and aprons sent from him to the sick.

• Diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

• Some itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to pronounce the name of Lord over
those who had evil spirits.
The Seven Sons of Sceva (Acts 19: 15-17)

• Sceva was a Jewish high priest.

• Sons were exorcising in the name of the Lord.

• Evil spirit answered and saying, “Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are
you?”

• Man possessed by evil spirits leaped and overpowered them.

• Were severely beaten and fled the house naked.

Impact of the Incident (Acts 19: 17-20)

• Fear fell upon the people, both the Jews and the Greeks.

• The name of the Lord was extolled.

• Many believers confessed their practices.

• Those practicing magic burnt their books.

• The word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.

Lessons Drawn

• The HS is more powerful than magic.

• Misusing the name of the Lord has dire consequences.

• Standing in the way of the Lord is futile.

• Difference between the genuine & counterfeit miracles

The Riot at Ephesus (Acts 19: 21-41)

• Riot instigated by Demetrius, a silversmith.

• Made silver shrines of Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus.

• Complained that as a result of Paul’s teaching, they were losing business.

• Gathered fellow workers of like occupation.

• Blamed Paul for their struggling business.

• Stressed there was a threat that the goddess was likely going to lose her
magnificent .

• They were incensed and cried out, “great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
The riot at Ephesus (cont ’d)

• City was filled with confusion.

• They rushed to the theatre dragging some of Paul’s companions.

• Disciples would not allow Paul to go in among the crowd.

• Some cried one thing and others the other.

• Assembly was in confusion, for some had no idea why they had come together.

• Alexander, who had been put forward by the people made a defense to the
people.

• Explained Paul and the others had not committed blasphemy nor
were sacrilegious of Artemis.

• He dismissed the assembly.

• Paul departed for Macedonia after the uproar had ceased.

Importance of Paul’s ministry at Ephesus.

• Proved beyond reasonable doubt the universalism of the gospel

• The distinction between genuine and fake miracles

• Perseverance when faced with opposition

Peter’s miracles vs. Paul’s

Peter Paul
His shadow could heal the sick His handkerchiefs and aprons could help
heal the sick.
Exorcised
Characterization

Paul
• Courageous
• Bold
• Supportive
• Confident

Alexander
• Wise
• Fair
• bold
Lessons Drawn from Paul’s Stay at Ephesus
• The HS will always triumph over magic.

• We must be resilient.

• People should avoid involving themselves in matters they don’t

understand.

• Never take the name of the lord in vain.

• Shameful punishment awaits those who misuse the name of the Lord.
Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20:1-12)
• Visited churches in Macedonia

• Paul encouraged the people with many messages

• He went to Greece, where he spent three months

• When he was about to sail for Syria, he discovered that there was a plot against
his life by the Jews

• He changed his plans and went back by land via the Macedonian
churches.

End of first session

Paul at Tro’as (Acts 20:5-12)

• Luke part of the events. (we passages)

• From Phillipi “we sailed to Tro’as” (Acts 20:5-6).
• Stayed at Tro’as for seven days.
• First day of the week gathered to break bread.
• Paul talked to the people there, speech was very long.
• A young man, Eutychus was sitting in the window.
• Fell asleep and fell from the third story and was taken up dead.
• Paul went down and bent over him.
• Assured them his life was still with him.
• They took him (Eutychus) alive and were not a little comforted.
Characterization

Paul

• Compassionate

• Loquacious/ chatty/gabby

• Devoted/committed

Eutychus

• Spiritually hungry
The Raising of Tabitha VS the Raising of

Raising of Tabitha Raising of Eutychus

Occurred at Joppa Happened at Troas

Miracle performed by Peter Miracle performed by Paul

Tabitha had fallen sick and died Eutychus fell to the ground
while sleeping on the window.
Peter was alone, prayed and ordered Paul went down, bent over him
Tabitha to rise. and embraced him telling those
present not to be alarmed for his
soul was with him.
Importance of the Raising of Eutychus

• Demonstrates God’s power over death

• Brought joy to the believers

• Strengthened their faith

• Fulfills Acts 9: 15-19 (Paul as God’s chosen instrument)

• Reveals that the spiritually hungry shall be rewarded.

Paul and the Ephesian Church Elders - Miletus
• Met with them at Miletus.

• Couldn’t go to them for he was in haste to Jerusalem.

• Speech divided into four main points.

He spoke about his attitude as he did his work at Ephesus.

• Worked through hardships and trials.

• Taught fearlessly to both Jews and Greeks.

• Preached repentance from sin and faith in Jesus

Paul and the Ephesian Church Elders (cont’d)
His goals for the future.

• Planned to obey the HS and go to Jerusalem.

• Ready for the danger of being imprisoned and even killed.

• Would accomplish God’s plan for his life.

Warnings and advice to the church leaders

• They were now on their own.

• Needed to look after people and guard against heresy and false teachers.

• Should work hard and persevere against all odds.

• Should care for the weak generously.

Paul and the Ephesian Elders (cont ’d)

Reminders

• Reminded them how he had supported himself through his trade.

• About Jesus’ words, “its much greater to give that to receive”

Lessons from Paul’s message to the elders

• Perseverance in times of difficulties

• Obedience to God/Holy Spirit

• Self-sufficiency

• Generosity

• Commitment

• Avoid heresy
Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1-17)
• Refer to Acts 20: 16, Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

• It is assumed that he probably wanted to teach the crowds like he did in Jewish
synagogues

• He also wanted to deliver funds which he collected from the Gentile churches,
which were meant to help the needy brethren in Jerusalem (Acts 24:17)
Paul• warned about danger in Jerusalem
The Holy Spirit testified in every city that imprisonment and afflictions awaited
him (Acts 20:23)

• The believers (through the Holy Spirit) told him not to go to Jerusalem. ( Acts
21:4)

• Agabus (the prophet who predicted a famine in Judea- Acts 11:28 came from
Judea. He took Paul’s belt and used it to bind his own hands and feet, and
predicted that the owner of the belt (Paul) would be likewise bound by the Jews
at Jerusalem and delivered into the hands of Gentiles. (Acts 21:11)

• Paul insisted that he was ready not only to be imprisoned but to even die in
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Significance of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem
• Demonstrated Paul’s commitment to Christianity- He is ready to suffer or even
die for the gospel

• It was a way in which Paul would cement the relationship between Gentile
believers and Jewish Christians – the funds he was collecting from Gentile
churches
The Pattern of the Third Missionary Journey

• Paul began preaching in Jewish synagogues.

• Would find an alternative place to teach from when trouble began.

• Would find Christian friends when he arrived in a place.

• Retreat to a quieter place for some time just to gather his strength.

• Was hosted by gentile believers.

Successes of the Third Missionary Journey

• Disciples at Ephesus received the Holy spirit

• Extra ordinary miracles

• Raising of Eutychus

• Empowered Church elders

Challenges of the Third Missionary Journey

• Opposition from the Jews in the synagogue

• Fake miracle workers (sons of Sceva)

• Riot at Ephesus

• Plot against Paul by the Jews

Assessment
(a) (i) Narrate Paul’s miracle of the raising of Eutychus. [6]

(ii) Explain any three reasons why the miracle was important. [6]

(b) ‘The death of Eutychus was Paul’s fault.’ To what extent do you agree? Give
reasons for your answer and show you have thought about different points of view.[8]
Responses
(a) (i) Narrate Paul’s miracle of the raising of Eutychus. [6]
On the first day of the week; Believers were gathered to break bread; Paul delivered a
long speech until midnight; Eutychus was sitting in the window; He sank into a deep
sleep; He fell from the third story and died; Paul bent over him, embraced him and said
“Do not be alarmed for his life is with him”; Paul went upstairs, broke bread and ate;
The people took Eutychus home and were greatly comforted.
Responses

(ii) Explain any three reasons why the miracle was important. [6]

Demonstrated God’s power

over death; Brought joy to
the believers; Strengthened
their faith;
Confirmed that Paul was God’s chosen instrument to Gentiles.
Responses
(b) ‘The death of Eutychus was Paul’s fault.’ To what extent do you agree? Give
reasons for your answer and show you have thought about different points of
view.[8]

Agree: His sermon was too long

Disagree: Eutychus wasn’t supposed to sleep whilst Paul was preaching

Conclusion

• Paul’s reasons for embarking on the third missionary journey.

• Key places visited by Paul during his third missionary journey.

• Key events that took place in each place.

• Lessons drawn from the third missionary journey.

• Characters of key people involved in the third missionary journey

• The pattern of the third missionary journey.

• The challenges and successes of the third missionary journey.