Introduction

Paul had been falsely accused, beaten with the intention of being killed and was arrested; bound in chains. All that orchestrated by the Sovereign God to create a podium to preach; an opportunity for Paul to share his testimony.

It was the first time many of them will hear what Paul had to say and for 21 verses he held them spellbound by his testimony. The major learning point; (although there are not very many points to learn) was the wisdom Paul applied in delivering a sensitive message to an angry mob. We shall consider this wisdom under the following points.

1.      HE SPOKE A LANGUAGE THEY COULD UNDERSTAND

 ² When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.

Recall in Chapter 21: 37 he spoke in Greek but in this verse he spoke in Aramaic. All of a sudden, he was accepted (though momentarily) because he had identified with them. He was not that man teaching everyone everywhere against their people and their law and Jerusalem anymore. He was one of them and they became quiet and listened for 21 verses!

He did not belong to the category of preachers who use clichés or those with the philosophy of "why use one simple word when you can use 10 difficult ones?"

He wasn't going to appear sophisticated and speak Greek so he could get an interpreter. In other words, he brought the message to their level.

2.      HE CAPTIVATED THEM AND WON THEIR ATTENTION FROM THE ONSET Vs 3-5

  Then Paul said: ³ "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. ⁴ I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, ⁵ as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

In effect, Paul was saying; hey! I am just like one of you. He didn't approach them with piousness; he identified with them. He wasn't preaching at them! He'd been there and done that!

Note his approach in verse 3 ". . . was thoroughly trained in the law of OUR ancestors". At this point; they were at his finger tips. "They were going to stay till the end of service"

3.      HE NARRATED HIS MIRACULOUS ENCOUNTER - PREACHING JESUS, THE MIRACLE OF HEALING AND HIS BAPTISM Vs 6-20

In verses 6 to 20, Paul engaged his listeners. Remember that it was the same people who wanted him dead? (It was almost like in Tom & Jerry where Jerry stops to do a dance and Tom waits to watch and amaze himself before Jerry slams his face with a shovel or something). His narration of the encounter on the road to Damascus was graphical! (If you are not careful; you may be blinded by that same light!)

He covered his conversion, baptism and commission in a breath and the crowd listened . . .  quietly!

4.      HE WAITED FOR HIS MOMENT TO DROP THE BOMB Vs 21-22

 ²¹ "Then the Lord said to me, ?Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'  ²² The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, "Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live!"  ²³ As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air

I am not sure Paul expected the response at this stage but the deed had been done. He had shared his testimony, taught about healing and baptism and preached Jesus. The only thing he couldn't do was take the offering and benediction! But do we think that God was not in their response? God was done with them; now He needed Paul to address the chief priests and Sanhedrin See verse 30

5.      HE WAS AWARE

²⁴ the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. ²⁵ As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?" ²⁶ When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "This man is a Roman citizen." ²⁷ The commander went to Paul and asked, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I am," he answered.  ²⁸ Then the commander said, "I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship." "But I was born a citizen," Paul replied.

Paul was aware; he knew what he had and the value of what he had. Verse 39 of Chapter 21

Paul answered, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people."

He used the fact that he was a Jew (nationality of Benjamin and Judah) - to be given the opportunity to speak to the Jews and in verse 25 he used the fact that he was born in the Roman province of Cilicia to get justice. Ignorance would have kept him in chains

 ²⁹ Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

God was simply fulfilling the scriptures in Paul's life. Luke 21: 12-15

 ¹² "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³ And so you will bear testimony to me. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

CONCLUSION

Paul demonstrated wisdom in the delivery of his message that stunned an angry mob. He displayed a wisdom that silenced his accusers. We cannot but conclude that wisdom indeed counts; it is the principal thing!  (Prov.4:7) The Bible says in Eccl 9:16a "So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength."

Jesus says in Luke 21:15 [MSG] I'll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.

Let's ask God for wisdom; He gives generously to all without finding fault.

Introduction

Last week we looked at the importance of believers' bonding and unity in God's church and that the more we see the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ approaching, the greater we need to fellowship with one another. That God always uses pure vessels especially as it concerns sexuality and every believer must purpose to stay undefiled. Finally, believers must be accountable to one another but with the purpose should be to please God and Him alone. This week we shall be considering these verses relating to Paul's encounter in Jerusalem; I pray that in the study of these 14 verses today, God will change our mind set about the story and open our eyes to a new light about this exciting encounter. Let us watch this interesting scenario unfold that has caused a few controversies over the years. But with our eyes opened to learn and know and be prepared.

1.      HELPING GOD - DOESN'T HELP

 ²⁶ The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

Here was the problem: a report had been circulated widely that Paul went about constantly teaching that Jews, especially those who lived in Gentile lands, to "forsake" Moses. If we recall in Acts 16:3, Apostle Paul circumcised Timothy in order to prevent offense to the Jews. Paul had not opposed observing certain elements of the law ? provided the intent was not to seek justification on that basis.

I think the bottom line here is that Paul was not insensitive to the feelings of the Israelite brethren (which is a good thing). James and the brethren felt the matter needed remedy in some fashion. That ended up as a futile attempt to defuse a volatile situation.

My take is that they tried to help God by trying to appease unreasonable people (see Acts 22:22).  Possibly because the intent was an attempt to (unknowingly) alter God's plan.

What happened in verses 27-29 would have happened whether or not Paul purified himself. Remember Agabus' prophesy?

Man's plan was to avoid the situation; God's was to use it for His purpose

2.      PAUL ARRESTED BASED ON FALSE ACCUSATION - NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

 ²⁷ When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, ²⁸ shouting, "Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place." ²⁹ (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

People can very easily, based on their prejudice accuse us falsely. So let's be aware and be prepared. Matt. 5:11-12 (Not a time to complain and fight back but rejoice!)

Man's plan for false accusation was to cause despair; God's purpose for it is our rejoicing

3.      ON TIME GOD! - HE WILL SHOW UP EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT EXPECTING! VS. 30 - 33

 ³¹ While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. ³² He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

In verse 30, they locked the Temple gates so he couldn't get back in and gain sanctuary. But God showed up on time for him. 2 Peter 3:9

Man's plan was to terminate Paul's life; God's purpose was to show Himself Sovereign

4.      IGNORANCE IS AN EVIL WEAPON OF THE ENEMY - STEER CLEAR! VS 34 - 38

³⁴ Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.

The Bible says in verse 30 that people came running from all directions; not knowing what the matter was. Verse 34a says Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another. We should be careful not to be sucked into a similar vortex of following the crowd. Can you imagine the embarrassment or the pain to be caught with the "wrong" crowd because we were not patient or wise enough to probe further?

 "Do you speak Greek?" he replied. ³⁸ "Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?"

The rumors and lies have gone round the whole of Jerusalem and Paul had also been mistaken to be an Egyptian; the leader of a terrorist group! I am sure that the commander must have seen his name in lights as the one who finally caught "Osama Bin Laden" and "shot him"

Man's plan (the Devil's plan) was to use ignorance to eliminate Paul; God's purpose was to create a podium for him to share his testimony

CONCLUSION

History has taught us time and again that God's ways are not our ways. He is never late to fulfill His promises. So let's brace and go through whatever situations we find ourselves. 2 Cor. 4:8-9

Ignorance is a killer; Hosea 4:6. Let's not join the band wagon to do things without knowing what the purpose is for doing it.

The study of this chapter has also revealed that these men were mere mortals like us used by God; that have their frailties too. James and the brethren in Jerusalem seem to be in a constant struggle trying to understand Paul's mission to the Gentiles. They are examples that God can use anyone; and that they are not to be worshipped! It also shows us that we ourselves; frail as we may be can also be used by God.

So let's go beyond the controversies; who was right or wrong and learn virtue

"I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw. . ." Prov24:30-32

Introduction

Twelve traits of a genuine leader were the focus of our last week's study. We saw Paul through the help of the Holy exuding these traits which include offering continuous encouragement, enjoying believers' fellowship, possessing decisive faith, being focused, transparency, fearlessly trusting God, serving others, showing vulnerability to mention a few . No doubt, every believer is in one way or the other a leader or rather will soon be one so it is important not only to covet these traits but consciously develop them in his/her life. This week, we will continue in the same spirit; Looking at Paul and his companions on their way to Jerusalem.

1.      BONDING OF BELIEVERS vs. 1-7

As they set out to Jerusalem, they had a stop-over at a major seaport at Tyre in Syria. As we have seen in their practice since the beginning of the book of Acts, one of their main priorities whenever they arrived at a place was to locate the disciples (vs. 4).  

"... not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh." - HEB. 10:25

More interesting among these believers was the rate at which they bonded. In just seven days that Paul and his entourage stayed with them, they became so close that when they were leaving, all the members of their family escorted them (vs. 5). They knelt down publicly unashamed to pray together. In this season, our bonding and unity must be non-negotiable! Few miles down the road in verse seven, they arrived at Ptolemais and again went to greet the brethren there.

2.      THE HOUSE OF PHILIP vs. 8-14

In verse 8, it is interesting to note how believers made their home available for the work of the ministry! Equally important is the humility exhibited by the Apostle to stay in different houses and with different people. Is there anything for us to learn in our present day church?

Virginity of Phillip's daughters (vs. 9): In this world where sexuality is at all time all, believers (especially our unmarried singles) might to ask if it is possible to be a virgin before marriage. The answer is yes! The exciting thing is, if you a single sister or brother, you are not the only one who is looking forward to being a virgin before marriage as the world and its systems will want us to believe. By tapping into God's grace each day and determination (purpose) from your heart, it can be done.

"Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22);

"Marriage is honorable with all and their bed is pure, but fornicators and adulterers God judges." HEB. 13:4

Furthermore, there is one-to-one mapping between these ladies' virginity and their ability to speak inspired Word of God (being prophetess). Would you like to be used greatly by God? If yes, then stay as virgin before marriage!

Agabus' prophesy and Paul's response (vs. 10-14): Here we see the gift of prophecy revealing the happenings in the future. The local disciples and Paul's entourage discouraged Paul from proceeding further. Sound familiar? Remember similar incidence concerning Peter and Jesus when the latter told the former of all that would happen to Him in Matt. 16:21-23? Lesson: We must be careful of what we say to people when the goings will be tough or are already tough. In as much as we want to be sympathetic/empathetic with them in their situation, we should endeavor to find out what the will of God is in that situation and speak along that line.

On Paul's response, it is important to stress that Paul was not out rightly in the dark concerning what lies ahead (Acts 20:23, vs. 4). Often times, prophecies should not be things that are entirely new to believers. They must either confirm what God has been speaking to you or the Holy Spirit confirms them immediately they are spoken. Paul answer to the disciples was based on one of the traits that we looked at last week: FEARLESSLY TRUSTING IN GOD

The will of God be done (vs. 14). After much persuasion, all the parties resigned to the will of God. This must be our attitude at all times too.

3.      PAUL IN JERUSALEM  vs. 15-25

Accountability (vs. 18-20a): Although Paul was also an Apostle but on getting to Jerusalem, he was humble enough to give the report of all that God did through his ministry. "Paul ascribed all his success to God, and to God they gave the praise. God had honored him more than any of the apostles, yet they did not envy him; but on the contrary, glorified the Lord. They could not do more to encourage Paul to go on cheerfully in his work." Henry commentary

A word of Caution (vs20b-25): James and the elders of the church at Jerusalem requested that Paul comply with the ceremonial law in order to gratify the believing Jews thinking that it was prudent for him to conform. That marks the beginning of his troubles in Jerusalem

Henry Commentary puts it this way:  "It is vain to attempt to court the favor of zealots, or bigots to a party. This compliance of Paul did not answer, for the very thing by which he hoped to pacify the Jews, provoked them, and brought him into trouble. But the all-wise God overruled both their advice and Paul's compliance with it, to serve a better purpose than was intended. It was in vain to think of pleasing men who would be pleased with nothing .... Integrity and uprightness will be more likely to preserve us than insincere compliances. And it should warn us not to press men to doing what is contrary to their own judgment to oblige us."

CONCLUSION:

In sum, the importance of believers' bonding and unity in God's church cannot be over emphasized. The more we see the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ approaching, the greater we need to fellowship with one another. God always uses pure vessels especially as it concerns sexuality. Every believer must purpose in his/her not to defile himself/herself (as Daniel did) so that God can reveal His glory in him/her. Finally, believers must be accountable to one another. However in doing this, care must be taken not to see such occasions to please men. Our ultimate goal must be to please God and Him alone.

Introduction

Last week we looked at the riot in Ephesus engineered by Demetrius the silversmith's false allegation. And also how God again used people (like Gallio in Chapter 18) to calm impending disaster. Today, we will continue with our study as we follow Mark's narration in this chapter and by the actions of Paul discover a few traits of a genuine leader.

1.      OFFERS CONTINUOUS ENCOURAGEMENT

 ^1-2 "With things back to normal, Paul called the disciples together and encouraged them to keep up the good work in Ephesus. Then, saying his good-byes, he left for Macedonia. Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope."

Here we learn that Paul was constantly encouraging the disciples, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope. That's what a leader does (even when it's a rebuke) it should end up as an encouragement not condemnation, it should lift people's spirits, not pull them down and give them hope!

2.      ENJOYS THE FELLOWSHIP OF FELLOW BELIEVERS

 ^7-8We met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master's Supper. Paul addressed the congregation. Our plan was to leave first thing in the morning, but Paul talked on, way past midnight. We were meeting in a well-lighted upper room.

The purpose of fellowship (meeting together) is mainly for worship, celebration and exhortation. Did Paul talk too much? Was it a boring message? Did he continue to talk because he was feeling nostalgic?

3.      HAS DECISIVE FAITH

 ^9-12 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in an open window. As Paul went on and on, Eutychus fell sound asleep and toppled out the third-story window. When they picked him up, he was dead. Paul went down, stretched himself on him, and hugged him hard. "No more crying," he said. "There's life in him yet." Then Paul got up and served the Master's Supper. And went on telling stories of the faith until dawn! On that note, they left?Paul going one way, the congregation another, leading the boy off alive, and full of life themselves.

O that God will take us to the place when in the face of disaster we pray and act in faith not fret and panic in fear! That He will grant us the grace to trust Him absolutely to move in our situations.

4.      IS FOCUSED IN URGENCY 

¹⁶Paul had decided to bypass Ephesus so that he wouldn't be held up in Asia province. He was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem in time for the Feast of Pentecost, if at all possible.

Once again, we can say "there is time for everything". He knew he would be delayed in Ephesus so he avoided Ephesus. He was focused on what God wanted Him to do; we should know when to use the wisdom God gave us. It wasn't the Holy Spirit that told him not to go through Ephesus, he knew (maybe from experience)

5.      MAKES IT CLEAR -HAS  NOTHING TO HIDE

 ^17-21From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the leaders of the congregation. When they arrived, he said, "You know that from day one of my arrival in Asia I was with you totally?laying my life on the line, serving the Master no matter what, putting up with no end of scheming by Jews who wanted to do me in. I didn't skimp or trim in any way. Every truth and encouragement that could have made a difference to you, you got. I taught you out in public and I taught you in your homes, urging Jews and Greeks alike to a radical life-change before God and an equally radical trust in our Master Jesus.

Paul was clear with the Ephesians' leaders. They didn't need to read between the lines; everything was said "on the lines" Read 2 Corinthians 4: 1-2 [MSG], 2 Corinthians 1:13 [MSG] & Matthew 5:33-37 [MSG]

6.      PRIORITIZES APPROPRIATELY

 ²²"But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem".

 ²⁴" What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.

Paul could place a finger on what matters to him and God

7.      FEARLESSLY TRUSTS IN GOD

 ²³"I'm completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won't be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little.

 . . . Although he could not place a finger on what could happen to him.

8.      GIVES IT THEIR ALL - SPENT FOR THE MASTER

 ^25-27"And so this is good-bye. You're not going to see me again, nor I you, you whom I have gone among for so long proclaiming the news of God's inaugurated kingdom. I've done my best for you, given you my all, held back nothing of God's will for you.

9.      SEES AHEAD AND ACTS APPROPRIATELY - A WARNING FOR ALL TIMES

²⁸"Now it's up to you. Be on your toes?both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people?God's people they are?to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.

 ^29-31"I know that as soon as I'm gone, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men from your very own ranks twisting words so as to seduce disciples into following them instead of Jesus. So stay awake and keep up your guard. Remember those three years I kept at it with you, never letting up, pouring my heart out with you, one after another.

10.  RECOGNIZES THAT WE ALL NEED GRACE

 ³²"Now I'm turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.

11.  IS CALLED TO SERVE NOT TO BE SERVED

 ^33-35"I've never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I've done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You'll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, 'You're far happier giving than getting.'"

12.  SHOULD NOT CREATE A SMOKE SCREEN - SHOULD SHOW VULNERABILITY

 ^36-38Then Paul went down on his knees, all of them kneeling with him, and prayed. And then a river of tears. Much clinging to Paul, not wanting to let him go. They knew they would never see him again?he had told them quite plainly. The pain cut deep. Then, bravely, they walked him down to the ship.

Genuine love becomes visible when we drop our guards and let the family realize that we are mere mortals.

CONCLUSION:

Everyone one of us in one way or the other are leaders of one sort or the other or will soon be one. In our study today we have learnt 12 traits of a genuine leader. We will do well to covet all of these and much more.

Introduction

In last week's study, we the arrival of Paul in Ephesus and his impart on the lives of the twelve disciples who needed to be baptized in The Holy Spirit. We saw his consistency in preaching the word of God and the manifestation of the power of God resulting in special miracles by the hand of Paul. We also saw how copy cats were disgraced and the mass conversion of Ephesians to Christ.

1.      DETERMINIATION; Acts 19:21,22

Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

It is impossible to determine from the passage whether or not Paul's travels were directly commanded by the Holy Spirit, or whether it was a decision of Paul that was approved by the Holy Spirit. In either event it was clear that God saw greater events unfolding in the life of Paul. Paul clearly saw a greater purpose for him in mind. He was determined to travel to Rome to preach the gospel. He had transmitted this desire to the Roman brethren (Romans 1:10-11, 15). He was also desirous to travel to Jerusalem. His purpose in this was to take the contributions of the various Gentile brethren to the church in Jerusalem for the care of the needy saints there. See Romans 15:25; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8, 9)

Paul returned to Ephesus but dispatched two of his most trusted young helpers, Timothy and Erastus (Concerning Erastus see Romans 16:23 and 2 Timothy 4:20). It is likely that they were sent to collect the funds for the various churches around Philippi and Greece. It was also during this time that they had traveled on to Corinth to deal with the problems that existed in the Corinthian church (at least Timothy, 1 Corinthians 4:17).

2.      REACTION TO MASS CONVERTION; Acts 19:223-27

About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. "You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. "Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence."

It was in the spring of the year that Ephesus held a great month long religious festival for their patron god Diana (Artemas).People would come from many miles away to participate in the festivities. There would be opportunities to make a great deal of money for the enterprising entrepreneur.

Diana (Artemas) was the mother goddess, the goddess of fertility. She was pictured as a many breasted woman with arms extended. Her worship included frenzied dancing and temple prostitution and sometimes human sacrifice. These silversmiths evidently did a brisk trade in small statues of the goddess. These would be blessed at the temple of Diana and then placed in homes or small ones worn as good luck charms.

Demetrius' motive clearly was not the love of Diana but money. We can surmise that Christianity had put a dent in their business. Many who had formerly bought their statues (much like souvenirs of our day) would no longer participate in idol worship. In order to mask their real intentions, Demetrius declared that if they did not do something the temple of Diana would fall into disrepute and decay.

The effect of the mass salvation of souls in verses 18 to 20 simply resulted in bad business for Demetrius the Silversmith and all the people in his trade. We must be on the lookout for negative reaction to conversion.

3.      RIOT IN EPHESUS; Acts 19:28-34

 When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia. And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater. So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

While greed was the motivation, religious fervor was what stirred them into action. They started chanting, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" In the ancient world the worship of the local diety was a point of civic pride and loyalty. 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

This group had either known where to find Gaius and Aristarchus, or had happened upon them and knew that there were fellow helpers of Paul.

a. Gaius is mentioned four other times in the New Testament. It is not certain whether any of the others are him. Gaius was quite a common name in ancient times.

b. Aristarchus is named in Philemon 24 as one of Paul's fellow labourers.

Paul was certainly not a coward. He wanted to speak before the crowd, but the brethren thought it wise not to do so. They would have likely killed Paul, as angry as some of them were.

We learn the extent of the preaching of the gospel here. It had spread to even some of the provincial officials of Asia. We are not sure whether these men were Christians or friendly disposed to Paul; likely the latter. We can see from this account that a man motivated by greed was able to bring the whole city into confusion.

4.      A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, "Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? "So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. "For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. "So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. "But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. "For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering." After saying this he dismissed the assembly." [NIV]

This uproar had not escaped official notice. It is likely that the chief native official, the city clerk, had to hurry quickly into the night after getting word of what was going on. He was the highest official in the city, acting as a go between with the citizens' assembly of Ephesus and the Roman proconsul. He was the recorder of official papers, the keeper of the citizens' list, and the treasurer for all of the city's municipal funds. The city clerk was determined to calm down the mob. He would be in trouble with the Roman authorities if anything rash took place. He starts out by complimenting their religious devotion. They had the high privilege of being the keeper of the temple to Diana (Artemis).

The town clerk begins to calm things down, and tells the peoples that if the craftsmen have a complaint to make, they need to bring it to the authorities. After this the crowd was dismissed.

... It is amazing how the Lord can use people who are nonbelievers in bringing about a positive result for His people.

Introduction

Another very interesting bible exposition from the series, last week. One that readily comes to mind is on Vows and Promises. I can recall vividly about the exhortation to pay our vows (promises) if we make any. We also learnt through the text, how God can orchestrate situations for the actualisation of His ordained destiny for our lives. So much about Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos, Paul's faithful co-labourers exhibiting characters worth emulating. This week, we look at Paul's 3rd missionary journey which started from last week's lesson, his encounters at Ephesus (The principal trading centre of Asia) and how God orchestrated the presence of the Jewish Exorcists at the time of Paul's visit to win the souls of erstwhile Magicians to Jesus Christ.

1.      PAUL PLANTED, APOLLOS WATERED (1 Cor 3:6) - Acts 19:1

1a. And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth..

Recall Paul's 2^nd missionary journey from Athens to Corinth in Acts 18 and Apollos desire to cross over to Achaia in vs 27? (see map). Having planted churches there, our dear Apollos, who now bears the unmistakable marks of a Christian, after his encounter with beloved Priscilla and Aquila proceeded ahead of Paul to Corinth to help the brethren who had believed through grace (Acts 18:27). The lesson here is that if we can humble ourselves and are teachable like Apollos, we will learn the whole gospel and become so effective like Paul and Apollos were in Corinth. See 1 Cor 3:1-9.

1b. ".that Paul, having passed through the upper region (Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch), came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples" [Emphasis Mine]

Recollect that during Paul's 2^nd missionary journey (Acts 16:6), they (Paul, Timothy and Silas) were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. Also, in Acts 18:19, it was recorded that Paul did not stay a longer with them at Ephesus when asked to do so. Why? We will see later that this is in accordance with God's divine orchestration.

2. A HOLY SPIRIT? NOT AT ALL - Acts 19:2-6

From Paul's diagnostic questions and the response of the Ephesian disciples we quickly learn what Paul evidently suspects: these persons are not truly regenerate. Luke labels them disciples probably because at first their outward identification with the Christian believers led Paul to take them for true Christians. Does Paul's first question about receiving the Holy Spirit indicate that he sees none of the Spirit's fruit or giftings in their lives? The combination of questions certainly tells us that Paul assumes that saving faith, the reception of the Spirit and Christian baptism converge at conversion. The disciples' response about the Spirit, should probably be taken to mean that they have not heard of the Holy Spirit's contemporary presence (compare John 7:39).

Just like Apollos, the best analogy to these disciples today are nominal, cultural Christians (without power) raised in the liberal theological tradition of the West. These disciples had only been baptized into John's baptism, indicating that their conversion experience was accompanied by the knowledge that a fuller experience with the Holy Spirit would come (Matt.3:11), but without the realization that it had come (Acts 2:1-4).

Also note Paul's corrective action in preaching the complete gospel to the twelve by pointing out the preparatory and therefore partial nature of the baptism of repentance and of John's message pointing to the Messiah who was to come. Just in line with what Aquilla and Priscilla did to Apollos. He did not question the reputation of their teacher; he built on what they already know and got them baptized in the Holy Spirit!

3. FACING OPPOSITION? PRAISE GOD! - Acts 19: 7-10

The Jews' reaction - becoming obstinate (literally, "being hardened" or "hardening themselves"; compare Acts 7:51) and refusing to believe (literally, "disobeying") shows the negative effects of rejecting the gospel over a period of time. We cannot remain neutral; we are either softened toward or hardened against an oft-repeated message. Their rejection was expressed in a public maligning of Christianity (the Way). This may mean a formal rejection, since publicly translates a phrase that literally means "before the multitude."                                                 

As always, Paul's withdrawal leads to further advance, for he now reasons daily in the lecture room of Tyrannus [AMP]. The Amplified Version has an interesting time reference, "about ten o'clock till three" (Acts 19:9). The Mediterranean "siesta" occurred from the fifth hour (11:00 a.m.) onward, and we know from Acts 20:34 that Paul worked at his trade while in Ephesus. This gives us a picture of a tireless apostle and an eager audience. Each is willing to give up the normal time of rest in order to speak and hear of the kingdom. Only where there is such commitment to teach and such hunger to receive the word of the Lord will there be advances like that portrayed in the next verse. For two years, an entire province hears the gospel (Col 1:7; 2:1; 4:13). The churches of the prison epistles, the letters to Timothy and the book of Revelation are proof of the mission's effect.

4. HERE COMES THE ITINERANT JEWISH EXORCISTS - Acts 19: 11-20

Following the resistance by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia at the start of Paul's 2^nd missionary journey, and his refusal to stay longer with them on his way back, I strongly believe that God divinely withheld Paul's prolonged missionary itinerary till the presence of the itinerant Jewish exorcists. The followings will encourage us in our walk with the Lord; 

1)      In a divine initiative, God wields extraordinary miracles with the spread of the Word of the Lord throughout Asia, a territory that Satan had firmly and manifestly in his grasp. We have met such strategic "power advances" before in Acts: in Jerusalem and its Judean environs, Samaria, and Macedonia (5:16; 8:7; 16:16-18).

2)      The authority of the name of the Lord Jesus has been granted only to believers (Mark 16:17). It is not given as a magical phrase calculated to guarantee good or bad results. There is no guarantee of power when it is impulsively uttered, particularly when the situation involves an ecclesiastical or stylized exercise. However, when employed in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit, His might and glory is expected to be manifested. Inherent in the name of Jesus is not only the resource of His authority, but also the fullness of His nature and character. Thus, any prayer offered or ministry attempted in the name of Jesus must be in accord with His nature and purpose.

3)      As the evil spirit responded to their attempted exorcism, the power encounter is transformed into demonic manhandling. Neither the exalted Lord Jesus nor Paul is directly involved. Yet the results reveal the unquestioned superiority of Jesus, whom Paul preaches. The demon displayed spiritual insight: he knew both Jesus and Paul (compare Lk 4:34, 41; 8:28), but he did not recognize the magicians.

4)      From the mouth of a demon we learn the valuable lesson that Jesus will not allow his name to be reduced to a magical formula (Ex 20:7). Only those with a personal relationship with Christ and who invoke his name in humble faith are in the correct position to see God act to drive out demons.

5)      They make the break in word by coming and openly confessing (literally, "confessing and announcing") their evil deeds, their magic practices, possibly revealing the spells themselves. Then they collect books of magic spells and burn them. Their repentance is costly. Fifty thousand pieces of silver, the fees for all the formulas in the books, was thirty-five thousand dollars in today's U.S. currency. The repentance is complete: these believers have removed any temptation to go back to the old life.

6)      Despite the oppositions, the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed!

CONCLUSION

Most times, when we face oppositions or resistance, God is at the background strategizing and turning around the circumstances in our favor. Paul's mission to Ephesus is not without the approval of God. In fact, it shows God at work in the background. Twice (Acts 16: 6-7), they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia and the neighboring regions simply because God has appointed the Jewish Magicians/ Exorcists unto salvation. He (God) also had plans for the twelve disciples to be filled with the Holy Spirit with an evidence of speaking in other tongues - Hallelujah!

Introduction

In last week's study, we looked at Paul's ministration in Corinth. We saw Paul's consistence in preaching the Word; we also learnt that God has all knowledge and all understanding of whatever we might be going through and when He promises, He sees it through. We also saw the entrance of Priscilla and Aquila into the scene. This week we shall be considering 11 loaded verses. The first thing that came to my mind was; "what are we going to get from 11 verses?" I shouldn't have bothered. Reading through and by the help of the Holy Spirit we shall reveal vital nuggets in our walk and work.

1.      GOD - THE MASTER PLANNER

 ¹⁸ Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.

It is possible for Priscilla and Aquila to feel discouraged; last week we discovered that they were tent makers but they were expelled from Rome verse 2. They would have left a thriving business behind in Rome but God had a plan; He wanted to use them for ministry; Paul must have seen something in them for the period he fellowshipped with them to take them from Corinth to Syria. So let's be encouraged; God can use any situation (even disappointments) to set us up for our destiny.

2.      OF KEEPING VOWS

Verse 18b: "Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken."

A number of people have debated what sort of vow he took, why he took it and so on. After considering their arguments I realized it wasn't worth it - if you make a vow, pay it! Psalm 116:18, Job 22:27 & Ps.15:4b

3.      OLD HABITS DIE HARD - KEEP GOOD ONES

 ¹⁹ They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. [NIV]

²² When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. [MSG]

Week in week out we talk about Paul and the other apostles consistence; the reason is not far from developing healthy habits. It had become a part of them so regardless of what had happened a few verses back, Paul will still make a stop at the synagogue to reason with the Jews.

4.      A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

" ²⁰ When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. ²¹ But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus." [NIV]

Notice he did not refuse, he declined; ?Refuse' has a strong sense of saying 'no'. While to Decline is to refuse politely.

It was not the time to hang around for 3 Sabbaths debating; so he politely refused and promised (if God wills) he'll be back. There's a time to say "Yes" and a time to say "No" but sometimes we say "yes" when we should say "no" because we are afraid of offending someone and in the process offend God.

5.      FOLLOW UP - ESSENTIAL FOR GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

 ²³ After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. [NIV]

 ²³After spending a considerable time with the Antioch Christians, Paul set off again for Galatia and Phrygia, retracing his old tracks, one town after another, putting fresh heart into the disciples. [MSG]

Paul went through the towns and cities he'd preached before to encourage and strengthen all the disciples. This is vital because everyone needs encouragement; everyone needs to have the flame fanned. The Bible says of Jesus;

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory" Matt.12:20

6.      KNOW YOUR STUFF - STEMS FROM DILIGENCE

 ²⁴ Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. [NIV]

"A man named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a Jew, born in Alexandria, Egypt, and a terrific speaker, eloquent and powerful in his preaching of the Scriptures. He was well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm. Apollos was accurate in everything he taught about Jesus up to a point, but he only went as far as the baptism of John. He preached with power in the meeting place." [MSG]

What we can learn from Apollos:

a)      He had thorough knowledge of the scripture - Complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial. The message says he was a terrific speaker, eloquent and powerful in his preaching of the Scriptures

b)      He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; this tells us that he had humbled himself to learn

c)      He spoke with great fervor - burning with enthusiasm. Confident of what he had and bold to declare it!

7.      DIVINE HELPERS - WE ALL CAN BE

"When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately." [NIV ]

"When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and told him the rest of the story." [MSG]

This couple strikes me as people who have their heads screwed on right.

They did not see Apollos as a threat, they did not castigate him or compete with him or even condemn him for not knowing it all. Imagine what we would have done . . . talk behind his back and say "instead of him to humble himself and learn, he's out there preaching only part of it"

We will try to make what he knows of no effect because of what he does not know.

But they took him aside and "told him the rest of the story"

Also tells me something about Apollos

He was not full of himself; he could have as well been carried away by his eloquence and zeal and fervor and missed the whole picture. Shame how that happens these days; "Who are you to tell me I have missed something?"

8.      ENCOURAGEMENT - WE NEED EACH OTHER

 ²⁷ When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸ For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. [NIV]

^27-28When Apollos decided to go on to Achaia province, his Ephesian friends gave their blessing and wrote a letter of recommendation for him, urging the disciples there to welcome him with open arms. The welcome paid off: Apollos turned out to be a great help to those who had become believers through God's immense generosity. He was particularly effective in public debate with the Jews as he brought out proof after convincing proof from the Scriptures that Jesus was in fact God's Messiah. [MSG]

We see that when Apollos wanted to travel to Achaia, the brethren rallied round him and wrote a letter of recommendation so that he would be accepted and the Message said "The welcome paid off" because he turned out to be great help to believers in Achaia. Imagine if Aquila and Priscilla did not take him in and teach him or they just wrote him off and ran him down or the brethren with the influence of Aquila and Priscilla did not encourage him and recommend him; but thank God they did what they did and the results was fruitful and effective.

CONCLUSION

There's so much we have learnt from these few verses of scripture. We have learnt that God can use any situation to set us up for our destiny; we have also learnt of Paul, of Priscilla and Aquila and of Apollos. All of them exhibiting character worth emulating; nothing more to say; we should simply be hearers and doers.

Introduction

In last week's study, among other issues, we heard Paul's sermon on Mar's Hill which concluded in three ways: firstly, Rejection "some begin to sneer" (V. 32), secondly, Delayed Decision "we shall hear you again concerning this" (V. 32) and thirdly Belief "some joined Paul and Believed" (V. 34). This is related to the parable of the Sower in Matthews 13 and we concluded that every sermon preached will always have these three effects.

In today's study we shall be looking at Paul's ministration in Corinth. Corinth was a Grecian city, on the isthmus which joins the Peloponnesus to the mainland of Greece. It is about 48 miles west of Athens. It is noted for its wealth, luxury, immoral and vicious habits of the people. It had a large mixed population of Romans Greeks, and Jews.

From Athens to Corinth; Verses 1 - 4

¹ After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ² There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, ³ and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. ⁴ Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

When Paul arrived at Corinth he meets with Aquila and his wife Priscilla whom had just sent out of Rome by Claudius the Roman Emperor. Verse 3 revealed that Paul was multi-skilled. The scripture also says in Acts 22:3 that Paul had a Formal Education where he studied to become a Rabbi (a minister, a teacher and also a lawyer all in one) according to Jewish customs however he had learnt a trade before entering into ministry. The trade he had acquired was the making of tents from goats' hair cloth and we realise that he did not let his work disturb him from preaching the Gospel in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuading both Jews and Greeks.

Arrival of Silas and Timothy Verses 5-8

 ⁵ When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. ⁶ But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

 ⁷ Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God. ⁸ Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

In verses 5-8, the same thing that happened in Athens happened again! Some Jew were opposing him because he said that Jesus is Christ at the same time the Crispus  the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord; both him and his household and many of the Corinthians believed and were baptised.

Do Not Be Afraid; Verses 9 - 11

⁹ One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. ¹⁰ For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." ¹¹ So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

God spoke to Paul in a vision this shows us that in any situation we find ourselves in the ministry we should be confident that God is watching over us and is able to lead us and direct us all we have to do is be in tuned with the Holy Spirit at all times

Gallio: An Unexpected And Unwitting Instrument of God; Verses 12 - 17

¹² While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. ¹³ "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."

 ¹⁴ Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. ¹⁵ But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law?settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." ¹⁶ So he drove them off. ¹⁷ Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

When God speaks a word to us by His Spirit or through a vision we can be rest assured that he has all knowledge and all wisdom. In verses 12-17; when they brought Paul to the judgment seat accusing him of persuading men to worship God in a contrary way to the law, before he opened his mouth Gallio said to the Jews

"if it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But if it is a question of word and name and your own law, look to it yourselves for I do not want to be a judge of such matters."

LESSONS

So we can rest, assured that if God gives us a guarantee as He did Paul in verse 10; no one can harm us. He has placed many people in Corinth and our cities as well and as He encouraged Paul to continue to preach so we are encouraged too! He is more than able to deliver on His promise; this is what Jesus Christ says in Matthews 28: 18-20

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

CONCLUSION

Paul continued to be consistent in preaching the Word; when the Word is preached, it always has varying effects on the people. Last week we saw three of them; Rejection, Delayed Decision and Belief. This week we saw two of them; Rejection (verse 6) and Belief (verse 70. We also learnt that God has all knowledge and all understanding of whatever we might be going through. He promised Paul that no one can harm him and He was true to His promise. Paul didn't need to defend himself on this occasion; God spoke through the mouth of the Gallio in his defence! He did it for Paul; He will do it for us!

Introduction

Last week's bible study amongst other things highlighted the importance of unity even in suffering among believers. In verse 6, Jason and some of the brethren were dragged before the city authorities when they failed to find Paul and his team. They stood their ground and paid bail without betraying Paul. In our study today, we shall be looking at the approach of Paul when he was challenged by the Philosophers of Athens to present the message of the gospel to them. This was no easy task, since the city of Athens had literally hundreds of gods, which Don Richard called "god capital of the world," in his book, Eternity in Their Hearts. It is a place so full of gods and it was popularly said that "there are more gods than Men in Athens".

1)      A stirred Spirit: vs 16-17

"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him."

Paul saw the idolatry of the Athenians as damnable. He was deeply struck by the lostness of this city, and of the judgment of God which each person would someday face. He knew these people needed a Savior, and He knew that the Savior had come for sinners such as these, and thus Paul could do nothing but preach Christ to them. Just the way Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the multitude because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd (Matt.9:36). He got down to business by engaging them with his message both in the synagogue with the Jews and in the market place with the Religious gentiles.

Lessons: We must constantly allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see and touch our hearts to know the hopeless condition of the unsaved around us. Our spirits must be stirred to reach out to the dying around us.

2)      Preaching to Philosophers:  vs 18-21

"Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)"

Paul seldom passed up an invitation to speak, when it gave him the opportunity to preach the gospel to lost men and women. The opportunity to speak in the synagogue was apparently a matter of custom, but the invitation to preach to pagan philosophers was more rare. He is given that opportunity in Athens. As Paul spoke with those who would listen in the market place, he got the attention of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were actually rivals. It is enough to say that the Epicureans were atheists. They held to no future life, and that our present life was to be lived in all sorts of pleasures. The Stoics were just the opposite. They were rigid in their philosophy. They believed that the world was governed by fate, that happiness could only be found in virtue, and that a good man had complete rule over all his passions. But their belief in one god is sometimes likened to pantheism, or, God is everything. Both groups were eager to tare Paul apart. They took him and brought him to the Areopagus." 'Epi ton Areion Pagon' means 'unto the Hill of Mars.' This was where the court met to determine if any new teaching was to be held lawful. This was not a court of judgment but rather of examination. The Athenians were a refined people. They prided themselves in the 'wisdoms' and 'arts.'

Lessons: It was not just the new teaching that attracted the Philosophers to Paul but his ability to present his teaching with clarity of mind as a result of his educated background.

3)      Paul's Sermon on Mar's Hill: vs 22-31

"Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

Vs 22: The term "very religious", can be used in a good or in a bad sense. Here Paul is using the term in a conciliatory manner. He is acknowledging their deep religious feelings. (A wise man knows how to make words acceptable.).

Vs 23: Unknown God is 'Agnosto Theo.' (Where we get our word agnostic, or, 'I don't know', or, 'without knowledge.') The Athenians were afraid of offending one of the gods so they had more than one altar to an unknown god. It was also illegal to introduce a new God that was not on their list of gods. The 'unknown god' could serve as a point of discussion. Notice how Paul disarms any accusation of heresy or promoting a new god. He is simply saying, "I want to talk to you about the God you already worship, but of whom you don't know much about." The word 'ignorance' is 'agoneo.' It speaks of unawareness. Paul is not calling them ignorant. At this point he has their full attention. 

Vs 24-28; Paul strikes at the very root of idolatry; the peoples thought that the gods had to be appeased with 'food' offerings and such like. But one of God's names is El Shaddai; He is sufficient in all things.(Gen.17:1, Exo.6:3). Some of the ancient philosophers had an understanding that there was only one true Supreme God. Actually this understanding is embedded in most every culture. This God cannot be known directly. This truth was even presented in the tabernacle plan of Moses.

Paul quotes from the poet Aratus, who made this statement almost 300 years before Christ. Aratus as well as other poet-philosophers spoke of the Supreme God as 'Father.' But here Paul applies this quote to the God of the Hebrews.

Lessons: We can see the wisdom that Paul used to relate the subject of the supreme God to these religious Philosophers in Athens. He even quoted from their scholars to preach the gospel to them. Paul also quotes the Epicureans in 1 Cor. 15:32 and Menander, Thais, in 1 Cor. 15:33. Paul was trained in Greek literature and rhetoric, probably at Tarsus, which was a major university town.

CONCLUSION: There were three responses to the gospel of Paul; Vs 32-34

1. Rejection, "some began to sneer" (v. 32)

2. Delayed decision, "we shall hear you again concerning this (v. 32)

3. Belief, "some joined Paul and believed" (v. 34; I Thess. 1:9-10).

These parallel the parable of the sower (cf. Matthew 13).                                   

Introduction:

Last week, we looked at Acts 16: 16-40 and how Paul and Silas were sensitive to the Holy Spirit to detect familiar spirit working in the young girl. We also saw how they handled suffering for Christ and how they stood their ground when they were to be released secretly. One other thing we learnt was that in all, God was working things out so that the jailor and his family could be saved.

Today we shall look at some of the ways we can achieve results working with the Lord.

1.    Consistency is Vital

Verses 1-2a "NOW AFTER [Paul and Silas] had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them"

As we learnt in previous lessons, these men were consistently doing what they were called to do; they had the habit of assembling with the saints.

2.    Apply Reason - Don't be Subjective

Verse 2:  "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,"

The AMP version says he reasoned and argued with them with the scriptures; something we are afraid to do these days for the fear of offending people.

He was trying to convince the Jews the MSG version puts verse 3 this way:

"He opened up the texts so they understood what they'd been reading all their lives: that the Messiah absolutely had to be put to death and raised from the dead?there were no other options?and that "this Jesus I'm introducing you to is that Messiah."  

It was not a pointless or meaningless argument he was involved in; he was reasoning with people who taught they knew but somehow had missed the vital truth. Take notice of the way the message puts it - "He opened up the texts so they understood what they'd been reading all their lives:"

3.    Be Resilient

Verse 2 tells us he was there for 3 Sabbath days; for three weeks he stayed at it; he didn't just sweep the issue under the carpet and move on, he didn't think they were wasting his time. He reasoned and argued his point. To reason implies that he heard the other party out; he listened to their views and opinions - he didn't

This teaches us that we need staying power; keeping at a thing (as long as it is right). Little by little, with resilience soon truth will prevail. See verse 4: "And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few."

4.    In Persecution, Don't Give Up or Give In

Verses 5- 9

"But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to jealousy, and, getting hold of some wicked men (ruffians and rascals) and loungers in the marketplace, they gathered together a mob, set the town in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring [Paul and Silas] out to the people. But when they failed to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities, crying, these men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them to his house and privately protected them! And they are all ignoring and acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, [actually] asserting that there is another king, one Jesus! And both the crowd and the city authorities, on hearing this, were irritated (stirred up and troubled). And when they had taken security [bail] from Jason and the others, they let them go."

5.    Unity - We Need Each Other

The brethren were obviously united in the suffering; See verses 6 - 9. They did not complain that they were dragged before the city authorities, neither did they complain about having to pay bail. They could have as well brought them out to come and face the suffering by themselves but they didn't! They all suffered together! And then in verse 10a, sent them away by night.

6.    Avoid Bias -Preconception Deters

The one thing that we usually do when verses 5 - 6 happens to us is to brand and tag people. "The Jews are wicked people; avoid them!", "Experience is the best teacher", etc

In as much as there could be a genuine justification, we should never take the Holy Spirit out of the equation.

Verse 10 - 12 "Now the brethren at once sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea; and when they arrived, they entered the synagogue of the Jews. Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [[a]concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore became believers, together with not a few prominent Greeks, women as well as men."

Paul and Silas were quick to forget the dangers of verses 5-9 when they arrived at Beroea, they entered the synagogues and discovered that the Jews here were better disposed. What of if they had written them off saying that "All Jews are the same"

Conclusion

These are once again very useful steps and tips you and I can follow and achieve similar results with the help of the Holy Spirit. They are not only steps for achieving results but steps that will aid us in living fulfilled lives here on earth.