In the last four Q&As, we covered Paul’s first and second missionary journeys, and we also began to cover his third journey. We focused on events in Ephesus and will continue to describe what happened there. We are informed in Acts 19:20 that the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed in the city, and so Paul was desirous of going to Jerusalem and Rome (verse 21). Reaching both destinations would not happen right away; in fact, we read in the letter to the Romans that he had planned to go to Rome on several occasions, but was hindered from doing so (Romans 1:13).
We read that Paul stayed for a time in Ephesus, and because of the great impact of Christianity, a riot occurred there. Acts 19:24-28 tells us:
“For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: ‘Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 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. 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.’ Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, ‘Great is Diana of the Ephesians!’”
Demetrius and the other silversmiths were angry, not necessarily because goddess Diana or Artemis was “desecrated,” but they were in danger of losing a lot of money. Pilgrims who came to Ephesus bought little model shrines or other idols as souvenirs which had been made by the silversmiths. They declared outrage because Diana was not being honored, but in truth, they were concerned that they would be suffering monetary loss. So they instigated a riot.
We are informed that they seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s travel companions from Macedonia, and brought them to the theater. Paul wanted to go there as well, but the disciples and some officials of Asia who were his friends would “not allow him” or “pleaded” with him not to go.
At the theater, the assembly was in disarray, and, as is so often the case during a riot, “some cried one thing and some another… and most of them did not know why they had come together” (Acts 19:32). They then “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. 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!’”
It appears that Alexander later joined God’s Church. But sad developments ensued. We read in 1 Timothy 1:19-20 that Paul charged Timothy to have “faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” In other words, Paul had disfellowshipped them. Paul also wrote this about Alexander, in 2 Timothy 4:14: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.”
Some claim that this Alexander was probably not the same as the one mentioned in Acts 19, because he is allegedly referred to there as a silversmith, and here as a coppersmith. However, this argument is not convincing because Alexander is nowhere described as a silversmith in Acts 19.
The city clerk “quieted the crowd” (Acts 19:35), stating: “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?”
Not much is known about the image that fell down from Zeus or Jupiter. It might have been a meteor which became somehow associated with Diana—not unlike the “Black Stone” in the Kaaba in Mecca which Muslims believe to have fallen from heaven. The city clerk had great authority and since this assembly was unauthorized, he was concerned that the Romans could intervene, not tolerating civil disorder. He said: “‘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.’ And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly” (Acts 19:40-41).
So the city clerk was moved by God to save Paul and his companions, even though he was more concerned to maintain and save his own position.
After that, Paul departed and went to Greece where he stayed three months. Again, Jews were plotting against him, and so he and some of his companions went to Troas. Other companions (including Luke) joined him at Troas. Acts 20:6 reads: “But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them [Paul and his companions] at Troas, where we stayed seven days.”
The reference to the Days of Unleavened Bread is remarkable. Luke wrote the book of Acts to Theophilus, a Gentile and Roman official. The fact that Luke mentions the Days of Unleavened Bread proves again that the disciples observed God’s Holy Days many years after Christ’s crucifixion… and Christ’s disciples must do so today as well.
Acts 20:7 is probably one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible. We read: “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” The Ryrie Study Bible states: “This became the regular day of worship for Christians in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection on Sunday.” But Christ was not resurrected on Sunday, but on Saturday, shortly before sunset. Also, when the disciples broke bread, they just had an ordinary meal together; not the “Lord’s Supper” or “communion,” as some claim. Acts 27:33-38; Acts 2:42, 46; Luke 24:30,25 all prove that breaking bread simply means to consume food.
Incredibly, some translations pervert the Scriptures so much that they read: “On the first day of the week, we gathered to observe the Lord’s Supper.” Such blasphemy is difficult to swallow.
Furthermore, the activities took place on Saturday evening and Paul continued his preaching until midnight [we would say today, Saturday night]. Remember that days begin and end at sunset. This was not a religious service per se.
During his long preaching, a young man fell asleep and fell from the third floor and died. But Paul brought him back to life, and “when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed… Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot” (Acts 20:11, 13).
Paul was en route from Greece to Jerusalem (Acts 20:2-3, 16). Since he did not know when he would see the brethren again, he wanted to teach them as much as possible. The people were more than willing to listen. So, after the Sabbath, Paul remained behind, teaching the brethren, while his ship sailed around the peninsula (verse 13). He remained talking with them till midnight and continued after a short meal until daybreak (verse 11). We see too in verse 11, that “breaking bread” just means, taking a meal. Then, after Paul had stayed as long as he could, he left them to walk across the peninsula to meet the boat (verses 13-14). He worked on that Sunday by taking this long walk of some 19 miles!
Paul met up with companions at Assos (20 miles away from Troas by road and 30 miles away by sea), went to Mitylene and ultimately to Miletus. Acts 20:16 reads: “For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.” He wanted to keep the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem, showing again that he still observed God’s Holy Days.
While in Miletus, he called for the elders of the Church in Ephesus, and when they had arrived, he gave one of his most moving and important speeches. This farewell speech is recorded in Acts 20:18-35:
“You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
Let’s note some of his moving and sobering statements. He said he kept nothing back from them in regard to repentance, faith in Jesus, the gospel of grace and the Kingdom of God, and that he was therefore innocent of the blood of all men, because he declared to them the whole counsel of God. He was alluding to the warning that if we do not warn and teach the people of coming disaster and if we do not preach to them repentance and all the doctrines of God (the whole council), we will be guilty of their blood when they die because of their sins. They will surely die, but we would be responsible too; God would require their blood at our hands—their blood would be on our heads (Ezekiel 33:2-9).
Paul also stated that it is by the grace of God that we can inherit the Kingdom of God and eternal life (compare Ephesians 2:8). He emphasized that he had received his ministry from God; he did not make himself a minister but Christ ordained him to that office (Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1). He also wrote in Hebrews 5:4: “And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God…” He reminded the elders that God, through His Spirit, made them overseers or ministers of the flock, but that the members were not theirs. They belong to Christ, who purchased them with His own blood.
He stated that he wanted to finish his race with joy, and he was therefore not afraid about what would await him in Jerusalem, even though God told him in every city, apparently through people or prophets who were inspired by God to proclaim this, that he would become a captive in Jerusalem.
He referred to the Church of God. That name is used in the New Testament on several additional occasions (1 Corinthians 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 3:5; 3:15). The name was also used in connection with a location (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1). The name of several congregations was mentioned as “the churches of God” in 1 Corinthians 11:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4.
Note especially 1 Timothy 3:15. There, the Church of God is referred to as the “church of the living God.” We are called today the Church of the Eternal God.
Paul’s sobering and timeless warning is remarkable. He told the elders of Ephesus that he had warned them for three years with tears, that after his departure, “savage wolves will come in among you” and even “from among” them, evil men would arise, preaching perverse things. He commanded the elders to watch and be prepared to withstand those evildoers and deceivers. He concluded with the famous saying of Christ: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
When Paul stated that the elders of Ephesus would see him now more, this does not mean that he would die soon. He would be arrested in Jerusalem and sent as a captive to Felix and Festus, where he was held for over two years. He was then transported to Rome, where he would stay as a prisoner for two years. After his release, he would continue to work as an Apostle, until he was finally arrested again and killed under Nero.
The record in Acts 20 concludes with verses 36-38:
“And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.”
Paul and his company (including Luke) sailed to Cos, Rhodes, Patara, Syria and finally Cyprus. Cyprus was a large island of the Mediterranean with the city of Paphos as its capital. Paul had been in Cyprus before, where he had confronted a false prophet and sorcerer (Acts 13:4-12).
Acts 21:4 states that in Cyprus, “finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.” This passage must not be understood as if God, through His Spirit, told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Rather, God revealed to the disciples what would await Paul there, and this warning caused the disciples to discourage Paul from going. But Paul had already determined to go (Acts 20:22), and later, Jesus encouraged Paul that “as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome” (Acts 23:11). Nothing could persuade Paul not to go, being fully convinced that this was God’s Will for him.
The disciples accepted his decision. We read in Acts 21:5: “When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.”
They sailed from Cyprus to Tyre and Ptolemais, where they “greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day” (verse 7). Then, on “the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him” (Acts 21:8).
Caesarea served as the Judean capital under the Roman procurators. Paul had been there before (Acts 18:22). “One of the seven” refers to the ordination of seven disciples as deacons (Acts 6:3, 5-6). Now, about 20 years later, Philip had become an Evangelist.
Acts 21:9 continues: “Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.” This does not mean that they were ministers or prophetesses. The Bible only says that they “prophesied.” They spoke because God inspired them. There is no biblical record that women were ordained to an office of prophetess in the New Testament Church. In fact, God does not permit a woman to preach or to prophesy in Church services. Paul makes this statement: “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:12). Also, Paul explains: “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says” (1 Corinthians 14:34).
While Paul was staying with Philip for many days, the prophet Agabus came from Judea to tell Paul that he would become a captive in Jerusalem (verses 10-11). When the disciples heard this, they “pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem” (verse 12). But Paul was determined to go. He responded: “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (verse 13). The reaction of the disciples was interesting: “So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done’” (verse 14). Nothing “happens” to us against God’s Will. And Paul knew that it was God’s Will for him to go to Jerusalem, even though he would become a prisoner there. It is for us to understand and prove what God’s Will is for us.
Paul’s third journey concludes with his arrival in Jerusalem. We read in verses 15 to 17: “And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge. And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.”
Commentaries tell us that Paul’s third journey lasted for 4 to 5 years, running roughly from AD 53 to AD 57 or AD 58. It covered about 2,700 miles.
Before concluding this series, we would like to point out that Paul might have undertaken another journey after his release from Roman prison. According to early Church tradition, which is supported by Clement of Rome, Paul visited Great Britain. Paul fulfilled his desire to travel to Spain (Romans 15:22-24), and subsequently to Britain. Some cite an alleged connection between Paul and the British royal family in Rome (including Caractacus, Claudia and Linus), suggesting he accompanied them back to Britain.
The three journeys, recorded in the Bible, show the tremendous faith, energy, zeal and dedication of the Apostle Paul—a tremendous example for us today. He could clearly say with sincerity and veracity: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1; New International Version).
Lead Writer: Norbert Link