Paul’s Trip to Ephesus A journey in faith

Paul’s Journey to Ephesus Acts 19: 1-9 Three parts to the text Verses 1 to 7 – Paul meets 12 disciples of John the Baptist Verses 8 to 9a – Paul ministers to Jews in the synagogue Verses 9b to 10 – Paul’s wider outreach to Jews and Gentiles in the province of Asia

Acnowledgements Maps are courtesy of https://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN092MAPS1.htm Nice photo of Med courtesy of https://navisyachtcharter.com/news/explore-mediterranean-sea- aboard-charter-yachts

Paul’s Travels c 46-54 AD

Paul the Apostle’s First Missionary Journey c. 46-48 AD

Paul the Apostle’s Second Missionary Journey c. 49-52 AD

Paul the Apostle’s Third Missionary Journey c. 52-54 AD

Acts 19:1-7 Paul and the Disciples While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Paul and the Disciples of John They had faith Paul took them from point A to point B Baptisms – 4 types Repentance and preparation - Mt 3:6 Holy Spirit and fire - Mt 3:11 In Name of Jesus - Mt 28:19 Suffering Mt 20:22

Acts 19:8-9a In Ephesus Synagogue 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them.

In Ephesus Synagogue To the Jew first and also the Gentile – Romans 1:16 Paul appealed to what they already knew (Jewish heritage) Intellectual and emotional persuasion The Way – (Gk hodos) – a road, path or journey travelled

Acts 19:9b-10 Among the People He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

In the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus Paul took people with him, not hit-and-run He crossed cultural boundaries Willing to argue intelligently for his message Persistence over two years - yeast-like effect (Matthew 13:33) Strategy was to train others e.g. Epaphras – Colossians 1:7 Highly effective, widespread spiritual breakthrough. Summary to Ephesians elders in Acts 20.