2nd Journey

Paul’s 3Paul’s 3rdrd Missionary Journey Missionary Journey

Arrival in EphesusArrival in Ephesus• “Disciples” (1)

• Holy Spirit at baptism?

• John’s baptism (3,4; John 1:6-9, 15-27, 3:22-30)

Arrival in EphesusArrival in Ephesus• 12 Men were

baptized into Christ (5)

• Paul placed his hands on them (6, 8:17)

Synagogue PreachingSynagogue Preaching• Spoke boldly for

3 months (8)• Paul left and

went to lecture hall of Tyrannus (“Tyrant”) for 2 years. (20:31)

This went on for two This went on for two years, so that all the years, so that all the

Jews and Greeks Jews and Greeks who lived in the who lived in the province of Asia province of Asia

heard the word of heard the word of the Lord.the Lord. (10) (10)

Ephesian MiraclesEphesian Miracles• Athens = Philosophy Ephesus

= Magic

• Paul performed many miracles there

• Jews were well-known exorcists.

Ephesian MiraclesEphesian Miracles• In the name of Jesus, whom Paul

preaches, I command you to come out! (13)

• 7 sons of Sceva, a Jewish Chief Priest (We know of no such real chief priest)

Ephesian MiraclesEphesian Miracles• Overpowered them and beat them up!• Exorcism ≠ What Jesus/Paul did• Message about demons?

(Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 John 4:4)

Ephesian MiraclesEphesian Miracles• Response – Seized with fear and Response – Seized with fear and

honored God (Acts 5:11-16)honored God (Acts 5:11-16)

Burning ScrollsBurning Scrolls• “Believers”

confessed to magic (18)

• Public burning

Burning ScrollsBurning Scrolls• Silver

Drachma = 1 day wages

• 50,000 Drachmas!

Burning ScrollsBurning Scrolls• How Costas,

our Greek guide, said he felt when he burned his icons –

• Free!

Travel Plans (21-22)Travel Plans (21-22)• Macedonia

• Achaia

• Jerusalem

• Rome

1

2

4

3

1 Corinthians1 Corinthians

• A.D. 53 – Wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus

• Wrote at least 4 Corinthian letters

• Word from Chloe’s household (1:11)

• Paul’s 1st letter to them (5:9)

1 Corinthians1 Corinthians

• Their previous letter to Paul (7:1)

• The Corinthian gift for Judea (16:1-4) – Not in Acts!

• Wild beasts in Ephesus (1 Cor. 15:32)

• Christian living in a pagan culture

Artemis of the EphesiansArtemis of the Ephesians

• Greek goddess

of hunting,

love of nature,

& childbirth

• Roman Diana

Artemis of the EphesiansArtemis of the Ephesians

• Syncretistic with Cybele, Asian goddess of fertility

Infertility

Artemis of the EphesiansArtemis of the Ephesians

• Temple called Artemision

• 4 times larger than Parthenon!

• Largest building in Greek world

Artemis of the EphesiansArtemis of the Ephesians

• One of 7 wonders of ancient world

• Made of marble• Burned in A.D.

262 – Destroyed A.D. 401

Artemis of the EphesiansArtemis of the Ephesians

• Riot started by Demetrius the silversmith

• 2nd persecution by pagans – Money!

• We receive a good living…. (25)

Artemis of the EphesiansArtemis of the Ephesians

• Seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s companions

• Rushed into the theater

• Paul wanted to go

Artemis of the EphesiansArtemis of the Ephesians

• Theater held 24,000

• “Officials” (Asiarchs) were rich, citizens

Artemis of the EphesiansArtemis of the Ephesians

• City Clerk was under Proconsul but over the Magistrates

• 2 hours!

Yassar Arafat’s BurialYassar Arafat’s Burial

The gospel (is) powerful in spiritual terms, but harmless to

the political requirements of Rome….

(Gaertner, Acts, p. 312)