HISTORY OF THE EARLY CHURCH FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS

Lesson 10 The Third Missionary Journey of the Apostle Paul

(Acts 18, 19)
I. Background of the Third Journey of Paul
1. Paul remained at Corinth for 18 months on the second journey
(Acts 18:11)
2. At the end of this time, with Aquila and Priscilla, he sailed to Ephesus
(Acts 18:18)
3. He spoke in the synagogue at Ephesus, but did not remain long, promising to return if it
is Gods will
(Acts 18:21)
4. He left and went to Caesarea, went up to the church and greeted them, and then returned to
Antioch
(Acts 18:22). The Second Journey may have taken about 3 years.
II. Twelve of the Disciples of John the Baptized Obey Christ at Ephesus

(Acts 19:1-7)

1. At the beginning of the third journey, Paul went through Galatia and Phrygia,
strengthening the churches
(Acts 18:23)
2. When he came to Ephesus, he found 12 men, disciples, whom he asked, Did you receive
the Holy Spirit when you believed?
(Acts 19:1, 2)
3. They knew nothing about this, so Paul asked, Then what baptism did you receive?
(Acts 19:3)
4. Johns baptism they said. Then, Paul taught them about John and Jesus
(Acts 19:4)
5. NOTE: Then, they were immersed again. They were baptized into the name of
the Lord Jesus
(Acts 19:5)
6. Paul then placed his hands on them to impart the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in
tongues and they prophesied
(Acts 19:6)
NOTE:

These gifts were given by the laying on of an apostles hands

III. A Riot Occurred at Ephesus

(Acts 19:23-41)

1. Paul taught two years in the hall of Tyrannus and the gospel spread throughout the
province of Asia
(Acts 19:9, 10)
2. Paul performed many miracles by Gods power
(Acts 19:11, 12)
3. The name of the Lord was held in honor, and many believed
(Acts 19:13-20)
4. Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia, but he stayed in Asia longer (Acts 19:22)
5. Paul taught that idol gods were no gods at all
(Acts 19:26)
6. This made the craftsmen angry who made idols of Artemis (Diana)
(Acts 19:23-28)
7. A mob formed and ran to the amphitheater shouting, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians
(Acts 19:28-34)
8. Many did not even know why they were there
(Acts 19:32)
9. Paul wanted to go into this mob, but the brothers and others convinced him not to go
(Acts 19:30, 31)
10. The town clerk finally convinced them that this was an unlawful assembly and they
went home
(Acts 19:35-41)
11. NOTE: The word assembly in Acts 19:32, 39, 41 is ekklesia, the word for church
and it means a group of citizens who are assembled
IV. A Wonderful Meeting at Troas
(Acts 20:1-12)

1. Paul went into Macedonia and down into Greece where he stayed 3 months

(Acts 20:1-

3)
2. Then, he returned with several brothers to the city of Troas
(Acts 20:4-6)
3. At Troas, they remained seven days
(Acts 20:6)
4. On the first day of the week, they met together to break bread
(Acts 20:7) and
Paul spoke to them, continuing his talk until midnight
NOTE:

The early church took the Lords Supper each first day of the week

The Lords Supper was:

a. A memorial of Jesus sacrifice
(I Corinthians 11:23-25)
b. A proclamation of Jesus and His sacrifice
(I Corinthians 11:26)
c. A communion of the body and blood of Christ
(I Corinthians 10:16,17)
5. A young man named Eutychus fell out of the window and died, but Paul raised him
(Acts 20:8-12). He had fallen from the third floor.
V. Pauls Farewell Talk to the Elders of the church at Ephesus

(Acts 20:13-38)

1. They sailed along the coast until they came to the town of Miletus
(Acts 20:13-16)
2. Paul requested the elders from Ephesus to meet him there in Miletus (Acts 20:17)
3. Paul discussed his earlier ministry among them and all the evangelism he had done
(Acts 20:18-21)
4. NOW, he must go to Jerusalem not knowing what will happen there. The Holly Spirit
had indicated to him that prison and hardships were facing him (Acts 20:22-24)
5. He told them that he was innocent of the blood of all men
(Acts 20:26)
6. He urged them to be faithful, for FALSE TEACHERS would arise
(Acts 20:28-32)
These FALSE TEACHERS would arise from even among the ELDERS!
7. While with them, Paul had worked with his own hands and had not been a burden to
them
(Acts 20:33, 34)
8. It is more blessed to give than to receive
(Acts 20:35)
9. Paul said goodby. They prayed together and cried together
(Acts 20:36-38)
10. Please note the ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS
a. The church at Ephesus was an independent congregation
b. Paul spoke with the ELDERS of this congregation

(Acts 20:17)

c. In Acts 20:28, he called these same men BISHOPS or OVERSEERS

d. He told them to be shepherds of the flock. This is the same word as
PASTORS. This means that elders are the pastors
e. In the New Testament, a plurality of elders were the shepherds of congregations.
The preacher was not a single pastor controlling the church.
Please see also I Peter 5:1-5