Paul’s Mature Missionary Leadership Phase Centered in Ephesus/Asia Minor Acts 18:18 – 20:38 By: Melissa Busmire

Brief Overview… Paul leaves Corinth, goes to Antioch, but does not stay there long Paul leaves Corinth, goes to Antioch, but does not stay there long Stops at Ephesus briefly  Caesarea  Antioch  Galatian country and Phrygia  Ephesus (Acts 18:18-28; 19:1) Stops at Ephesus briefly  Caesarea  Antioch  Galatian country and Phrygia  Ephesus (Acts 18:18-28; 19:1) Stays in Ephesus for at least 27 months Stays in Ephesus for at least 27 months Acts 19:8, 10, 22 Acts 19:8, 10, 22

Apollos at Ephesus…Parallels Preaching Baptism of John, not of Jesus Preaching Baptism of John, not of Jesus Priscilla & Aquila talk to Apollos Priscilla & Aquila talk to Apollos 1 Cor 1:12 (see also 3:4-6, 22; 4:1, 6; 16:12) 1 Cor 1:12 (see also 3:4-6, 22; 4:1, 6; 16:12) I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Rom 16:3 Rom 16:3 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus…” “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus…” 2 Timothy 4:19 2 Timothy 4:19 “ Greet Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.” “ Greet Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.”

Paul & some “Disciples” at Ephesus Acts 19:4-5 Acts 19:4-5 Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Luke 3:16-17 Luke 3:16-17 John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Matt 3:11-12 Mark 1:7-8 Luke 3:15-18 John 1:26-27 “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."

Paul’s Plans to Visit Rome Acts 19:21 Acts 19:21 When this was concluded, Paul made up his mind to travel through Macedonia and Achaia, and then to go on to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must visit Rome also." When this was concluded, Paul made up his mind to travel through Macedonia and Achaia, and then to go on to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must visit Rome also." Rom 1:13 Rom 1:13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, though I was prevented until now, that I might harvest some fruit among you, too, as among the rest of the Gentiles.  Phil 2:19-30

Silversmiths' Riot in Ephesus Acts 19:29 Acts 19:29 “The city was filled with confusion, and the people rushed with one accord into the theater, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians, Paul's traveling companions” “The city was filled with confusion, and the people rushed with one accord into the theater, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians, Paul's traveling companions” Col 4:10 Col 4:10 “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, receive him)”

Eutychus Restored to Life at Troas Paul (Acts 20:7-12) Paul (Acts 20:7-12) Paul went down, threw himself upon him, and said as he embraced him, "Don't be alarmed; there is life in him.” …And they took the boy away alive and were immeasurably comforted. Paul went down, threw himself upon him, and said as he embraced him, "Don't be alarmed; there is life in him.” …And they took the boy away alive and were immeasurably comforted. Jesus (Luke 7:11-17) Jesus (Luke 7:11-17) He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Peter (Acts 9:36-43) Peter (Acts 9:36-43) Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to her body and said, "Tabitha, rise up." She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. Elisha (2Kings 4:32-37) Elisha (2Kings 4:32-37) Then he lay upon the child on the bed, placing his mouth upon the child's mouth, his eyes upon the eyes, and his hands upon the hands. As Elisha stretched himself over the child, the body became warm.

Paul’s Farewell Speech at Miletus Acts 20:24 Acts 20:24 “Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God's grace.” “Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God's grace.” 2 Timothy 4:7 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” Acts 20:35, Paul quotes Jesus: Acts 20:35, Paul quotes Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Source? Source?

Letters Sent from Ephesus to Macedonia, Corinth & parts of Asia 1 Corinthians 16:5 1 Corinthians 16:5 “Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the firstfruits in Asia for Christ.” “Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the firstfruits in Asia for Christ.” 2 Corinthians 8:1 2 Corinthians 8:1 “We want you to know, brothers, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia.” “We want you to know, brothers, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia.” Phil 2:19-30 (previous slide); 4:15-16 Phil 2:19-30 (previous slide); 4:15-16 “When I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once.” “When I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once.”

Paul and Companions write Letters from Ephesus to other Churches 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon, and (probably) Galatians 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon, and (probably) Galatians 1 Cor 15:32 1 Cor 15:32 “If at Ephesus I fought with beasts, so to speak, what benefit was it to me? If the dead are not raised: 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' ” “If at Ephesus I fought with beasts, so to speak, what benefit was it to me? If the dead are not raised: 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' ” 1 Cor 16:8 1 Cor 16:8 “I shall stay in Ephesus until Pentecost…” “I shall stay in Ephesus until Pentecost…”