Acts 20:18-38 — Farewell to Ephesus

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Paul sent for the elders in Ephesus. In this post, they come down to Miletus to hear Paul’s message to them before he leaves for Jerusalem.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 20:18-38
18 And when they [the elders from Ephesus] were come to him [Paul], he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,


Ephesus, West Side

19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations [Gk peirasmos], which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Peirasmos is the same word that Matthew used to describe Jesus’ temptation by the devil, which was a test. (Matt 4:1) Likewise, our trials are tests, and they cannot come unless God allows them. (Job 1:8-2:6) Among these trials, or temptations, that befell Paul by the lying in wait of the Jews (or certain zealots among them) was being beaten with thirty-nine stripes, on five different occasions. (II Cor 11:24)

The Bible is straightforward and unapologetic about the facts. Paul was persecuted by certain of his own countrymen. He was also persecuted by Gentiles. The church began with the Jews in Jerusalem before it shifted to the Gentiles. I mention this because antisemitism is starting to snowball once again in our day, and I beseech you not to get caught up in it. For every example they give you of something bad some Jewish person or persons did, give them an example of something bad a Gentile or Gentiles did. 

The Jews gave us the Bible. The Jews gave us Jesus. Although most of them have still not seen the light yet, the day is coming soon when they will. (Rev 7) The bottom line is that God made us all, and if you don’t like the way He did it, take it up with Him.

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul had a public ministry, as well as house churches. His message was the same to both the Jews and the Gentiles: repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide [Gk menō] me.

In our next post, we will learn more about how the Holy Spirit has been telling Paul that bonds and afflictions abide him. Modern translations say await, but abide is the literal meaning. While the word connotes that bonds and afflictions await, Paul has already been experiencing these things. Literally, the Spirit is saying these things are here to stay.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

Paul knew, through the witness of the Spirit, I believe, that this was the last time they would see him.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

Why?

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Paul was pure from the blood of all men because he did his duty to teach the full counsel of God. Paul taught Leviticus. Paul taught Obadiah. He taught everything from Acts (by living it) to Zephaniah.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

By exhorting the elders to feed the church, he meant to feed them the word of God. Verse 28 says that Jesus is God. It says God purchased his church with his own blood. Jesus shed his blood for the church. Therefore, Jesus is God. (God the Son, the second Person in the Godhead.)

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The warning about grievous wolves is not something new. Paul had been warning them about it for three years. The wolves are still with us. If they squeeze you for money, they are wolves. (Paul said feed the flock, not fleece the flock.) If they question the word of God, they are wolves. If they demote the deity of Christ in any way, they are wolves. Is there love in their church? (John 13:35) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matt 7:20)

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

This verse reminds me of a song I learned in Goa:

Oh, the best book to read is the Bible,
The best book to read is the Bible.
If you read it every day,
It will help you on your way.
Oh, the best book to read is the Bible.

33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

Paul reminded them that he worked and paid his own way. This was Paul leading by example:

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The liberal Jesus Seminar voted on which verses Jesus actually said, and the only thing they agreed Jesus definitely said was this above. They either questioned or rejected everything else Jesus said. Satan has attacked the word of God in this way from the very beginning (Gen 3), because the gospel is how Jesus brings life and immortality to light. (II Tim 1:10) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Pet 1:25)

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

Paul was a man of prayer. To effectively minister the word of God, one must be a man of prayer.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Acts 20:18-38

The emphasis in this section is on the grace of God and the word of God. Specifically, the gospel of the grace of God (v 24) and the word of his grace (v 32).

By declaring unto the Ephesians all the counsel of God (v 27), Paul fortified them with the gospel of grace. Grace (unmerited favor) tells me I am forgiven. (I John 1:9) The gospel of grace tells me I can eat meat if I want to. (I Tim 4) The gospel of grace tells me that God loves me on my worst day. (Rom 7:24f) The gospel of grace tells me that Jesus will never leave me or forsake me because of my faith in Him — not because of how good I am. (Thank God, because I’m not good.) The gospel of grace tells me There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:1) If you have doubts, read Hebrews 11 and notice how over and over it says by faith (not works) they were able to accomplish all they did. If you still have any further doubts, consider this:

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:16

The more I abide in the word of God, the more I increase my faith (Rom 10:17), which is why Paul taught all the counsel of God.

In this section, we also see an emphasis on Paul’s suffering and how the Spirit had been testifying that Paul’s suffering would continue (v 23). It was this suffering that produced the revelations Paul gave us. The plain truth is that although our flesh resists suffering with all its strength, suffering produces fruit.

When the missionaries were kicked out of China in the early 1950s, there were less than a million Protestant Christians in China. (Far less, conservative scholars tell us.) Today, after years of persecution and suppression of the church under Communist rule (and no missionaries), there are over 100 million Protestant Christians in China. According to the Bible, it’s good to suffer. (Gal 5:22; Phil 3:10; II Tim 2:12; 3:12; Heb 5:8; Jam 5:10; I Pet 2:21; 3:14; 4:1, 13; et al)

We are coming to the end of Paul’s third missionary journey. Paul’s first three missionary journeys took place over about ten years, circa 48-58 AD. In our next post, Paul will continue on his way to Jerusalem. We will see the Holy Spirit continue to testify about the persecution that is in store for Paul. That persecution came, just as God said it would. In our day, the Holy Spirit is testifying that the great tribulation period is coming. We do well to heed this warning and prepare accordingly by abiding in Christ.

Father, help us to abide in your word and to abide in your Son through trusting in the gospel of his grace, that we may be prepared against the day of his coming. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 20:13-17 — Paul Goes to Miletus, Calls the Elders from Ephesus

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Paul went through Macedonia and Greece, then doubled back and went to Troas, where he taught an all-night Bible study and performed a miracle when Eutychus fell from the third-story loft.

As we pick back up in Acts 20, Paul’s company is leaving Troas for Assos by ship, but Paul felt like going to Assos by himself on foot, which is about a fifteen-mile hike.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 20:13-17
13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

I would like to know why Paul went alone on foot to Assos. Unfortunately, it is impossible to know since Dr Luke does not tell us. It may have been for the witnessing opportunities, or it could just be that Paul needed some alone time. They say that smart people need more time alone. I suppose that may apply to highly spiritual people as well, and Paul was both.

14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

Paul is now in the Area of the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3. Ephesus, the first church on the list, is where Paul spent three years teaching and preaching. The harbor where Miletus was located was eventually filled in with silt, the same as the harbor where Ephesus was located. Today, they are both miles inland from shore, but in Paul’s day, they were on the coast. When Paul called for the elders of the church (v 17), they probably came down by ship from Ephesus to Miletus. Ephesus is about 36 miles north of Miletus.

16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Acts 20:13-17

Paul has become well-acquainted with suffering by now, and he still has a lot more to come, but is that a bad thing? I recently listened to The Gulag Archipelago (an abridged audio version), something I have been meaning to do for a long time now. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a stalwart believer in Marxism-Leninism when he was imprisoned in 1945, but after years of unimaginable suffering in the Soviet GULAG system, Solzhenitsyn embraced Christianity. He considered his time suffering in prison a blessing, as it made him understand the importance of the development of his soul and the unimportance of everything else he used to think was important. Solzhenitsyn’s revelations on the nature of the soul and the human condition are truly Pauline in their depth of wisdom. For example:

“If only it were all so simple. If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.”
— Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

To know Jesus is to invert one’s thinking on just about everything. Nobody would suppose that suffering is a blessing without divine revelation (Phil 1:29; 3:10; II Tim 2:12; 3:12 et al), but that is precisely how Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn attained his wisdom. Likewise, that is how Paul attained his wisdom, beginning with the blindness he was struck with on the road to Damascus. Before Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus, he was like Nabal, such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. (1 Sam 25:17) It was only after being struck blind that Paul saw he was wrong about Jesus. After years of suffering, Paul had the mind of Christ. (I Cor 2:16)

What I find so salient about The Gulag is how it shows where the human heart goes apart from Christ. It gives insight into how this fallen world works, what really matters in life, and why Christians are persecuted for telling the truth. Jesus told the church in Smyrna,

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:10

Like Paul, many of the other authors of the Bible spent time in prison. Countless other Christians have likewise been imprisoned or suffered for their faith in other ways. Solzhenitsyn found his faith in prison, but many of his fellow prisoners were there simply for the crime of believing in Christ. That was the cause of all Paul’s suffering, yet the fruit of that suffering is worth far, far, far more than any comfort Paul could have had by denying Christ. Every believer from Adam to Job to Paul to you and I get insight and understanding from suffering. I like the mountain top, but I grow in the valley.

Paul is going to impart his wisdom to the church in Ephesus in our next post. When the elders from the church in Ephesus come down to Miletus, Paul will give them an update on his current situation, a recap of his ministry to Ephesus in particular, and a prophetic warning about what is coming after his departure. I look forward to unpacking what Paul has to say to the elders from Ephesus.

Father, thank You for the suffering You allow in our lives. It is more precious than we understand or know. It draws us closer to You and gives us understanding. We love You, Lord, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Thorn

by Martha Snell Nicholson

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne

And begged Him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own

I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart

I cried, “But Lord, this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.

“This is a strange, a hurtful gift which Thou has given me.”

He said, “My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.”

I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,

As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.

I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,

He take the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

Acts 20:1-12 — Paul Revisits Macedonia and Greece, Raises the Dead in Troas

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In Acts 20, Dr Luke picks back up where he left off at the end of Acts 19. In our last post, Paul was in danger of being torn apart by an angry mob, but his disciples intervened. (Acts 19:30) The situation was eventually diffused by the townclerk. (Acts 19:35ff)

As Acts 20 begins, they are moving on from Ephesus to Macedonia. Timothy and Erastus had already been sent on ahead. (Acts 19:22)

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit, give us understanding, and speak to our hearts through your word. Your servants are listening, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Acts 20:1-12
1 And after the uproar [in Ephesus] was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

Paul revisits the churches he planted throughout Macedonia, before coming to Greece, where he abode three months:

3 And there abode three months. [Cf I Cor 16:5,6] And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

At this time, Paul wrote his Letter to the Romans from Corinth. Our map does not show Paul returning to Athens, but I think it is likely he passed by Athens to check on the believers there as well, since he was in Greece for three months.

Paul was warned of the danger that awaited him on his trip to Syria by ship, so he changes his plans and returns through Macedonia. I can just see the looks on the faces of the Jews who laid in wait for Paul after the ship set sail, and they realized Paul was not on it. ‘Ooooh that malefactor Paul… Foiled again.’

4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius [Gī´•ǝs, or Guy-us] of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.

Again, Paul sends some of his team ahead, ostensibly to start the work of the ministry and prepare for Paul’s safe arrival. Sending his team ahead is a prudent security measure.

It was at this time that Paul wrote II Corinthians from Philippi.

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Paul left Dr Luke behind in Philippi on his second missionary journey to pastor the church there. Now Dr Luke joins them again, as we see the pronouns ‘us’ and ‘we’ return in Chapter 20. (See Acts 17:1; cf 16:16f)

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread [take holy communion], Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

There is something especially beautiful about a candlelit home-church Bible study. That this was an ‘upper room’ Bible study makes it even more beautiful.

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

Eutychus was a common Greek name meaning ‘Good Fortune’. It was not so fortunate to fall out of the loft, but it was good fortune that Paul was there to raise him from the dead. Did Eutychus become a believer? I like to believe so.

When I was a young man living in Huntington Beach, I met a girl who was sickly as a baby and would not eat anything until a pastor came to her parents’ house and prayed for her. As soon as he said “Amen,” she grabbed a shake that was on the table and drank it. After that, she started eating normally. Miracles still happen and you do not have to be the apostle Paul to perform one.

11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten [this seems to be a normal meal, or possibly what the early church called a love feast (pot luck)], and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

A candlelit upper-room Bible study with the apostle Paul teaching until daybreak, with a miracle in the middle of it all, that included holy communion and a meal, now that is one Bible study I would like to have attended!

Paul had quite the healthy constitution. He did not worry about sleeping to prepare for his departure. He preached all night, then left in the morning.

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Acts 20:1-12

 

Let’s take a closer look at verse 7. It clearly states that they were meeting on the first day of the week to have holy communion (cf I Cor 16:2). As Gentile Christians entered the church, they wanted to meet on the day Jesus rose again (the Lord’s day), not the day He was still in the grave. This became a bone of contention with some of the Jewish believers. Therefore, Paul addressed the issue in his Epistles (Rom 14:5; Col 2:16). It is still a bone of contention today with legalistic Christians who do not fully embrace the New Covenant of grace or heed the teachings of Paul on the matter:

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Romans 14:5

There are stories about Constantine changing the Sabbath, which are nonsense. Saturday is still the sabbath, and I do not think that is disputed. Basically, the debate boils down to the law and grace, the same debate that was taking place in Paul’s day.

This reminds me of another issue that has become a bone of contention in these last days: the doctrine of the pretrib rapture. There are stories about the Plymouth Brethren creating the pretrib doctrine, specifically John Nelson Darby. I have had the pleasure and honor of fellowshipping with the Plymouth Brethren in both Southern California and Goa, India. In fact, I got to know some in Goa very well, and I remain in touch with them. I can tell you from experience that one thing that marks these Christians (now as in Darby’s day) is an intense interest in and study of the word of God. It was undoubtedly this deep study of the word of God that convinced the Plymouth Brethren of the pretrib doctrine. Before I knew the word of God all that well, I used to think that preachers probably just taught the pretrib doctrine to make people feel better. However, after teaching every Book in the Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, with an emphasis on the study of Bible prophecy, I am thoroughly convinced that the pretrib view is correct.

One thing I have noticed about people who attack the pretrib view is their typical lack of Bible study. I once saw Hank Hannegraaff get clubbed like a baby seal in a debate with Tim LaHaye on this topic. (A debate which has been memory-holed and is impossible to find on the web.) One notable exception, though, is Dr Kent Hovind. However, although Dr Hovind is a devout student of Scripture, he specializes in creation science. I have even heard him say that he previously held the pretrib view “because I hadn’t studied it.” To think Kent Hovind is correct about his current position on the timing of the rapture because he is well-versed in creation science is like assuming someone is a grammar expert because they are a spelling bee champion.

One of the most laughable claims I hear about the pretrib view is that it is a ‘fringe view’ that the church has never held, when it is, in fact, the view of the largest denomination in North America: the Southern Baptists.

For more on the pretrib view, see here and here.

For a deeper dive, I humbly recommend my first book, Where Did All the People GO? (and its sequel, Dragon Slayer Jesus Christ.)

Moreover, a study in I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians would be most helpful. In I Thessalonians, Paul laid the groundwork for the doctrine of the rapture, which takes place before the great tribulation period. In II Thessalonians, Paul laid the groundwork for the doctrine of the second coming, which takes place at the end of the great tribulation period. In closing, John Nelson Darby did not invent the pretrib view; Jesus did:

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [It can happen at any time.]
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy [through faith alone in Christ alone] to escape all these things that shall come to pass, [not go through them, but escape them] and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:34-36

Not only do we have this passage, but the passage in Luke 17, where Jesus said just as Noah and Lot were saved before destruction came (the flood and the judgement of Sodom), thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:30) Then, of course, we also have the passage in John 14, where Jesus told us not to let our hearts be troubled because He is coming back to get us. If He meant after the great tribulation period and not before, that would be troubling. But if He meant before, which He did, that is comforting. I will not let my heart be troubled knowing that.

Acts 19:23-41 — Paul in Ephesus Part III

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, Paul had just sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, as he stayed behind in Ephesus. (As discussed in our last post, Paul may have went with them for a short trip to Philippi and then returned to Ephesus.) Paul’s teaching ministry was bearing much fruit as the gospel was going out into all Asia. (Acts 19:10) This is how the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 were formed: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (and also the church in Colossae).

As the capital of the Roman province of Asia, Ephesus was a strategic location for Paul’s ministry. Its massive harbor made it an economic powerhouse. The heavy traffic by land and by sea fostered the spread of the gospel.

Ephesus was also home to the Artemision (the temple of Artemis), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was four times larger than the Parthenon and overlooked the city of Ephesus. (See below.)


Layout of Ephesus (2nd Century)

For breathtaking photos of the ruins of Ephesus, see here. All that is left of the temple, Artemision, is one partial pillar. That is something to think about.


Artist rendition

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 19:23-41
23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

The KJV translators follow their usual practice here of using the name of the Roman counterpart to Artemis, Diana.


The Farnese idol of Artemis.

This idol was so famous and influential that one of Paul’s associates was named after it. In Titus 3:12 we find one Artemas (lit Gift of Artemis).

25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

One of the features of the Second Great Awakening in America was the massive transformation that took place in towns that were touched by the revivals. For one thing, the bars went out of business. That kind of transformation was taking place in Ephesus, and the people who made their livelihood from the temple were fit to be tied.

35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 19:23-41

As Chapter 19 ends, we see the townclerk enter as the voice of reason, and cooler heads prevail. Despite the ancient backdrop, I think this part of Acts feels quite contemporary. The more things change, the more they stay the same. In recent history, we saw a similar mob mentality in the age of Covid. The idol was not Artemis, but Anthony Fauci. They were even selling devotional candles with his image on them. I believe one day, there will be another event like Covid, but today, the massive data centers they are building in America (some 5426) are the new temples. These data centers (along with those being built in other countries) are creating a massive amount of wealth, dwarfing the wealth of the silversmiths in our narrative. What the world is going to look like once these data centers are completed is anyone’s guess, but I believe it will be a very big change.

As the world changes and new temples come and go, will you be caught up in the hysteria like the Ephesians in Acts 19? Or will you trust in your Bible and be content with your faith, as Paul and his friends were?

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22

Acts 19:13-22 – Paul in Ephesus Part II

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, we saw how Paul was getting along in Ephesus with his teaching ministry that began in a synagogue, then moved into the school of Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. In the midst of this revolution, Dr Luke includes a story about certain exorcists who find out the hard way that the deliverance ministry is not to be entered into lightly.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 19:13-22
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Paul had become quite well known. His gospel had become quite well known. Miracles resulting from Paul’s ministry, with people being healed and delivered from evil spirits, were getting quite well known. When certain of the vagabond Jews saw what was happening, they thought that they would try their hand at deliverance as well.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

As sons of a Jewish priest, they were probably priests as well. As sons of Sceva, who was chief of the priests, they were certainly well acquainted with the Scriptures. Whether they were believers, it does not say, but by saying Jesus “whom Paul preacheth,” it sounds like they did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. They have the right idea by using Jesus’ name. When dealing with the enemy, one should always use Jesus’ name. (I certainly cannot rebuke Satan in my own name.) However, rebuking the enemy in Jesus’ name only works if you know Him. 

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Sometimes we run across brothers or sisters who have received Christ, but because of some besetting sin they have or had, they are struggling with demonic oppression. People like this are not dangerous. But the person in the section before us was not a Christian. He was under the control of a powerful demon. People like this are very dangerous. I would not attempt to cast a demon out of someone like this. If someone feels led to this sort of ministry, they have to be prayed up, studied, and clothed in the armor of God before getting started. If you are going to cast a demon out of someone, it’s always a good idea to fast and pray first to prepare. (Matt 17:21 KJV; Mark 9:29 KJV) Furthermore, if there is any unconfessed sin in your life, that needs to be dealt with before you cast a demon out of someone, especially someone like we have in our passage here. The seven sons of Sceva are examples of what can happen if you are unprepared.

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

So here we have another Romans 8:28. When people heard what happened, it showed them just how real spiritual warfare is. This led to repentance and revival.

18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

The silver pieces referred to here were probably drachmas, which had various sizes but most likely weighed 4.3 grams. At today’s market price for silver ($78.46/ troy oz), the value of their books was around US $542,352, yet they put a torch to them to please God and draw close to Jesus.

This principle is not limited to occult objects or books. I heard about a lady who inherited a liquor store. Instead of selling the inventory, however, she poured it all out. On the other hand, I have known Christians who lived in depressed areas where the only job they could find was working at a beer bottling company. I believe God’s grace was upon them. Contrariwise, Christians who like to drink cocktails at home church on Bible study night, or throw keg parties after church, are weak and unfruitful. They have not learned the principle of Acts 19:18, 19.

Satan is incredibly legalistic. If you have one of his books or objects in your house, he feels he has a legal right to be there, too. This is the principle behind the legend that a vampire cannot enter your house unless he is invited. What is not a ‘legend’, however, is the Torah. Moses wrote:

26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
Deuteronomy 7:26

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Again, we see Romans 8:28 at work here. Although the seven sons of Sceva appear to have failed, their failure led to a revival that furthered the gospel.

21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

We see the work of the Holy Spirit here. Paul did not make an intellectual judgment about his next move. Otherwise, it would say Paul purposed in his mind. It is in our spirit that we communicate with the Holy Spirit. When we are born again (John 3:3), our spirit is reconnected to God. We sense his leading. When we let this leading take precedence over our mind and our flesh, we are in the spirit. Paul was so tuned into the Spirit (eg, I Cor 5:3), that he could say, For in him we live, and move, and have our being; Paul’s Letters are filled with instruction on conquering the flesh and being filled with the Spirit, but how much effort do Christians typically put into this endeavor? Speaking for myself, not enough. 

22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
Acts 19:13-22

For a more in-depth study, now is a good time to read I Corinthians. It appears that Paul wrote his first Letter to the Corinthians during his stay in Ephesus. He had received a letter (I Cor 7:1) and a report (I Cor 1:11) about issues that needed to be addressed. This took place circa 55 AD. While the Euthalian tradition cites Philippi as the origin of the Letter (I Cor postscript, KJV), internal evidence points to Ephesus. (I Cor 16:8) On the other hand, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Paul made a short trip to Philippi and wrote the Letter before going back to Ephesus. As our section ends with verse 22, Timothy and Erastus are sent to Macedonia. Since we have only a truncated history in Acts, Paul could have gone with them to Philippi and then returned to Ephesus.

My takeaway from this post is threefold: First of all, if I am going to do something for God, I cannot use half measures. The seven sons of Sceva ended up naked and wounded because they were not ready for the task. Second of all, even if I fail when I try to do something for God, there will be some good that comes from it. (Rom 8:28) This was certainly the case with the seven sons of Sceva.

Thirdly, if you have questionable objects in your home, if you watch filth on the Internet, if you are smoking pot or engaging in other behavior that is not pleasing to the Holy Spirit, you are going to be like the children of Israel who were wandering around in the desert for 40 years, defeated. They should have been in the Promised Land, but they doubted and failed. (I Cor 6:9f)

The Book of Joshua, on the other hand, is a picture of the victorious Christian life. When Achan, the Son of Carmi, committed a trespass in the accursed thing (Joshua 7), he was dealt with swiftly, and the victory continued as Joshua led them in the Promised Land. We have a similar situation in I Corinthians 5, with one notable difference: Unlike Achan, Paul told them to welcome the sinner back after he repented. (II Cor 2:7) We are under grace, not law. When we trust Jesus and obey Him, He leads us into a Land of Promises. (I Cor 6:11)

In conclusion, Christianity is not a game. If we are going to live the victorious Christian life (John 10:10), we have to do what the Christians in Ephesus did. They got rid of anything that was not pleasing to the Holy Spirit and were dedicated to the word of God. We will never be perfect; even Paul said he had not apprehended, but we have to do our best. That is all any of us can do. (Phil 3:13f)

In our next post, Paul is going to get into trouble with some of the local tradesmen in Ephesus. Paul was the ultimate change agent, and change can be messy.

Father, thank You for the history we have recorded for us by Dr Luke, and for keeping your promise to preserve it for us. Your word is a treasure like none other. Your precepts are life everlasting. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PS: For an advanced study on spiritual warfare, I recommend Blood on the Doorposts (Chick Publications, 1994), by William Schnoebelen. Understanding the principles of spiritual warfare is very helpful, even if you do not plan on going into the deliverance ministry. All of us deal with spiritual warfare, and Satan is alive and well on planet earth. He will be locked up one day, but for now, the Bible calls him the god of this world. (II Cor 4:4) For example, here is a picture I took in Rome. Apparently, this is where you go to buy your costume if you get invited to the Illuminati Ball:

(Or if you want to go to the Carnevale di Venezia.)

Acts 19:1-12 – Paul in Ephesus Part I

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In this post, we come to one of the high-water marks in Paul’s ministry, his ministry in Ephesus. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 19:1-12
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts [in what we know as Turkey] came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

In our last post on the conclusion of Chapter 18, we saw Apollos evangelizing in Ephesus, but knowing only John’s baptism. (Acts 18:25) Then he met Priscilla and Aquila, who expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Afterward, Apollos left for Corinth. These ‘certain disciples’ that Paul found are likely affiliates of Apollos, whom he evangelized before he met Priscilla and Aquila.

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

Here we have some insight into the so-called ‘Jesus only’ controversy. As part of this misunderstanding, some say that unless someone is baptized in the name of Jesus, their baptism is not valid. Yet we can see from Paul’s question that they were following the words that Jesus gives for baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matt 28:19) They say they have not heard of the Holy Ghost, and Paul asks, Unto what then were you baptized? In other words, they should have heard of the Holy Ghost as they were baptized.

When I baptize someone, I add ‘in the name of Jesus’ just to make everyone happy, but baptism does not save. Only faith in Jesus saves. If you get baptized without faith, you do not get saved; you just get wet.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The ‘Jesus only’ crowd would point to this verse to prove their point, but I would argue it only shows that Paul was not concerned with a rigid formula for baptism. Whether you say in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, or whether you say in the name of the Lord Jesus, what matters is that the one being baptized believes that Jesus died for her or his sins and rose again (Rom 10:9), not what words are used.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Verse 6 seems to show that there can be a second filling of the Holy Spirit to empower the believer for service after one initially believes and is saved. Paul laid hands on them, but in Acts 10:44, the Holy Spirit fell on new believers as Peter was speaking. It is best to avoid rigid thinking about the way things should be done. Thinking there is only one way to receive the Holy Ghost, or only one way to be baptized, is not biblical. Jesus healed people in many different ways, I believe to show there is no ‘one right way’ to do it. Sometimes, He made clay and anointed their eyes. Sometimes he spat and touched their tongue. Sometimes, He said, Stretch forth thine hand. Sometimes He touched their eyes. Sometimes Jesus healed without doing anything. 

7 And all the men were about twelve.

It took 10 men to have a synagogue. These certain disciples were members of a synagogue, so after meeting them, Paul goes to their synagogue.

8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

Paul did his best, but some of them refused to believe and started causing trouble. Paul then departed from them and changed venues. Tyrannus the philosopher welcomed Paul, showing he was open-minded. All we know about Tyrannus is that he operated a lecture hall, but I like to think that the way Dr Luke mentions his name is a subtle hint that Tyrannus became a believer.

10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Here we have a Romans 8:28, one of many in Acts. After the troublemakers in the synagogue made it necessary for Paul to move on, he reached a much larger audience through his teaching ministry at the school of Tyrannus.

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

Paul did not work the miracles; God did. Dr Luke uses careful wording to make this clear.

12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Acts 19:1-12

In II Thessalonians 3:10, Paul wrote that if a man does not work, neither should he eat. Although Paul was preaching and teaching, he supported himself through his tentmaking trade, rather than by receiving donations. These handkerchiefs or aprons were Paul’s work rags that he used as he was tentmaking.

The disciples in Ephesus had such reverence for Paul as a holy man that they took his sweaty work rags and laid them on the sick. This may sound superstitious to our modern minds, but it shows God’s great grace and patience. God will meet us where we are. The people in that part of the world were indeed superstitious; some still are. If my understanding is limited to thinking that touching the hem of Jesus’ garment will heal me (Luke 8:44), or that touching Paul’s work rags or his apron will heal or cast a demon out of someone, then God will meet me there. If I am like the Roman centurion who had no superstitious beliefs as such, God is even more pleased. (Luke 7:9)

So as Chapter 19 opens, we see how Paul helped some Jewish believers he found in Ephesus who had not heard of the Holy Spirit; how he taught in the synagogue, then became persona non grata there; how this turned out to expand the reach of his teaching ministry, and how miracles were wrought as a byproduct of Paul’s tentmaking. I wonder if Paul was thinking about the Romans 8:28 principle as he was slaving in the hot sun making tents, or after he had to leave the synagogue? I heard a certain preacher talking about Romans 8:28 who said And we know that some things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Of course he was being facetious. If we really believe the Bible, we ought to always be able to roll with the punches, knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I like to use this same technique on other Bible verses:

6 Let your speech be in some ways with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6

14 Do some things without murmurings and disputings:
Philippians 2:14

13 For some who call upon the name of the Lord might be saved.
Romans 10:13

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am a way, a truth, and a life: there are other ways unto the Father, besides me.
John 14:6

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into the local community, and preach the gospel to some.
Mark 16:15

If I really believe the Bible is true, I have to reevaluate my behavior. Father, thank You for your perfect and everlasting word, which is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Help us to fear You and walk in your ways, that we may please your Son in all things, for your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 18:23-28 — Many Mansions

~ mikethemissionary

Acts 18:23-28 — Many Mansions

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Paul completed his second missionary journey and returned to his home church in Antioch of Syria. I then remarked how Paul makes me feel wholly inadequate as a Christian. If you have ever felt that way too, I have good news for you. Your salvation is not incumbent on your performance. If we had to add anything to the cross (like the law, for example), that would not be good news. ‘Gospel’ literally means ‘good news’, and the good news is that salvation is a free gift because Jesus has paid the price for our salvation in full. (John 19:30)

Jesus told a parable about a merchant man seeking goodly pearls (Matt 13:45f), Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Some well-meaning commentators have interpreted the parable as saying that you have to ‘give everything’ for the gospel, but that is not what Jesus’ parable is saying. The merchant man in Jesus’ parable is Jesus, not you. You are the pearl. Jesus considers you so valuable that He sold all that He had to buy you:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth;

Now that is what I call good news! Paul understood how greatly the world needed to hear this good news, which is why he was willing to suffer as he did to spread the gospel. What about you and me? If I want rewards, I have my work cut out for me — works of faith, that is, not works of the law.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 18:23-28
23 And after he [Paul] had spent some time there [in Antioch], he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

Not one to let grass grow under his feet, Paul launches out on his third missionary journey in the next verse after returning from his second, after he had spent some time in Antioch. Paul’s third missionary journey will take place between 53 or 54 and 58 AD. Virtually all commentators emphasize Paul’s conflict with the Judaizers here and say that by this time, the Epistle to the Galatians was written. However, based on the Euthalian tradition of the New Testament, I am not so sure about that. The KJV postscript at the end of Galatians says it was written from Rome. 

What I am sure of, however, is that Paul was strengthening the churches in Galatia and Phrygia with the gospel of grace, which is emphasized in the Epistle to the Galatians.

The gospel of grace says that your sins are forgiven through faith, regardless of what sins you may have committed, or when. Jesus died for all of your sins, not just the sins you committed before you were saved. When Jesus died and rose again, I was not even born yet. He died for every sin I would ever commit throughout my entire life.

The gospel of grace does not insult Jesus by trying to add something else to his gift for us on Calvary. When you give someone a gift, do you expect payment in return? Of course you don’t, but I have received ‘gifts’ like this before. When I was a manager at a certain company in Los Angeles, one of the salespeople bought an expensive lunch for my department. I soon found out, however, that she expected her orders to be put at the front of the line ahead of everyone else’s, as she continually reminded me about the lunch she bought for my department. So the lunch was not a gift; it was meant as a bribe. Jesus does not engage in bribery. When Jesus gives you a gift, it’s free. (Rom 5:15-18)

But then, someone tells me I have to keep the sabbath. Someone else tells me I have to be baptized the ‘right way’. Someone else tells me my hair is too long (or at least it used to be).

In the book of Acts, the church met on the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead, not on the sabbath. (Acts 20:7; cf I Cor 16:2) Paul addressed this issue in his Epistle to the Romans. (Rom 14:5) If baptism were necessary for our salvation, Paul would have been baptizing people, but as a matter of fact, he baptized very few. Paul said, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Cor 1:17) Back in the 90s, a leader in a church where I was doing some teaching said I should get a haircut. I said, “Do I have to?” After a long pause, the answer was, “No, you don’t have to.” I therefore said, “Okay, then I will.” (Did you know that John Wesley, one of the greatest Christians of all time, had long hair?)

Salvation is not by faith plus keeping the sabbath. Salvation is not by faith plus baptism. Salvation is not by faith plus a haircut. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. Period. If one thinks that taking a day off, or getting wet, or getting a haircut, is comparable to the blood of Christ, he does not value the blood of Christ very much. It would be kind of like if I gave you some mansions in Europe, complete with servants, yachts, plus a big expense account, tax-free, and an Italian passport to go with it all, but then you gave me a penny in return and said, “I want to show that I’m willing to contribute something myself.” Would I be insulted? You bet I would be.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

On our map above, Alexandria would be just west of where the Nile empties into the Mediterranean.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Apollos knew his Bible, which at that time was the Old Testament. He knew only the baptism of John, so he was preaching on the prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus the Messiah.

Aquila and Priscilla, however, had been taught by Paul. They therefore taught Apollos the gospel more perfectly, ie, more accurately or more completely. (This is how perfectly was used in times past. For example, the preamble to the Constitution announced the formation of a more perfect Union.)

Apollos was humble and received their instruction. (Ps 25:9) Apollos is now preaching the gospel of grace. He must have been, or he could not have helped them much which had believed through grace:

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Paul did not use letters of recommendation (II Cor 3:1), but Apollos was happy to use such letters.

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ [Messiah].
Acts 18:23-28

As Acts 18 concludes, we see that as Paul was ministering the gospel of grace in Galatia and Phrygia, Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos were ministering the gospel of grace in Ephesus and Achaia. These four Jews were just a few of those we read about in Acts who were working in concert to further the gospel of grace.

A good understanding of God’s grace is essential. When I understand God’s grace, I have a strong sense of security and shalom. I understand that God loves me just as much on my worst day as He does on my best day. God’s love for me is based on his Son’s righteousness, and my relationship with Him through faith, not on any righteousness of my own. In fact, Jesus said his Father loves us as He loves Jesus: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23) Isn’t that good news?!

After some time in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla went back to Rome (Rom 16:3), then eventually back to Ephesus again (II Tim 4:19). Apollos will pop back up in Chapter 19, several times in I Corinthians, and again in Paul’s letter to Titus. Apollos was such an effective teacher that Paul placed himself on the same level with him. (I Cor 3:6; 4:6)

With all the names we encounter in Acts, I like to think about these different individuals and how each of them fit into the body of Christ. Which New Testament personality do you identify with? Which one would you most like to be like? Socrates said, “Be the kind of person that you want people to think you are.” I say, Nothing to it but to do it.

Another saying I like is, Fake it till you make it. My Grandpa Harvey was a master of this technique. When he was 12 years old, he was with a group of people who were looking to get hired onto a road crew. The foreman came out and said, ‘Who can drive a tractor? My Grandpa said, ‘I can’. He had never even seen a tractor before, but he was hired and figured it out when they showed him where the tractor was. Later in the Great Depression, he went to apply for a job advertised at a machine shop. There were people lined up all the way around the block to apply. Again, a foreman came out and said ‘Who knows how to run a (some machine he had never heard of). He was the only one to raise his hand. He got the job, which turned out to be running a punch press, something he already had experience doing. The good news is that as Christians, we do not have to ‘fake it’. We have been given power and authority (Gk exousia), so even if all you know is John 3:16, you can represent heaven as long as you believe. (John 1:12) Sometimes, beginners make the best evangelists, so there are no excuses. Time’s a-wasting. 

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 3:11

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 22:7

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Revelation 22:12

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
Acts 13:41

In closing, the Holy Spirit is witnessing everywhere that Jesus is coming soon. I want those mansions, but I have to remember not to put the cart before the horse. First comes the cross, then comes the crown. (Matt 16:24; Mk 8:34; Luke 9:23; John 14:2; Rev 4:12)

Father, thank You for the gospel of grace and all of the precious promises in your everlasting word, which are available to us through our relationship with your Son. Thank You for perfecting us day by day as we grow in grace, and the knowledge of your Son. He is more precious than we will ever know. Help us to walk by faith with Him as we continue on our paths. We ask this in Jesus’ name, the name above all names. Amen.

Acts 18:12-22 — Paul In Corinth Part II

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In Part I, we left Paul teaching the word of God in Corinth. As we pick back up, we find Paul still in Corinth and getting in trouble again, something that happened almost everywhere he went. When Paul wrote, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, he was speaking from experience. According to Paul, if your Christianity does not get you in trouble at times, you are not doing it right.

Father, thank You for our trials. It is an honor and a blessing to suffer persecution for your Son. Fill us now with your Spirit and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 18:12-22
12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat [Gk bema],

Gallio was the older brother of Seneca, the famous Roman senator. Whether Gallio was a good statesman or a bad statesman has been a matter of debate among commentators. As a libertarian, I have mixed feelings about Gallio, and I will explain why.

13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

Their charge was more or less true, from a certain point of view. They were still living by the Old Covenant, and had not considered that maybe it was time for the New Covenant Jeremiah prophesied. (Jer 31:31) These Jewish fanatics are telling the Roman proconsul that Paul is not teaching the Scriptures correctly. Imagine going to the governor’s office in your state capital and telling him there is a guy in town who does not teach the Bible the right way. I recall an instance where church leaders actually did this, ie asked a secular leader to solve their dispute with other church leaders, with the same results we have here in Acts. The secular leader did not care, nor should he have.

14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

In this respect, I like Gallio. He knows how to stay in his lane. He does not want to get involved in disputes between religious leaders over doctrine — especially concerning a religion that he does not practice or know much about.

16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

Weirsbe has a little different take on verse 17 than I do. He says that Sosthenes was beaten by the ‘Greeks’ as an act of antisemitism. The word for ‘Greeks’ in the Majority Text is the same word used for Greek proselytes in other places in Acts. (Aleph and B remove the word, so it just says ‘they all beat Sosthenes’.) So either ‘all the Greeks’ beat Sosthenes, or ‘all the Greek proselytes in the synagogue’ beat Sosthenes. In cases like this, where there is some ambiguity, we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to interpret the meaning for us.

It appears to me that Sosthenes was beaten by Greek proselytes for receiving Christ and hosting Paul. Sosthenes and Crispus (v 8) may even be one and the same person. Many of the people in the Bible have two names (eg Silas/ Silvanus, Timothy/ Timotheus, Priscilla/ Prisca, Saul/ Paulus). In any case, if Sothenes was a successor to Crispus, he became a believer and a fellowservant of Paul (I Cor 1:1), the same as Crispus (I Cor 1:14).

Gallio judged that Paul had not broken any Roman laws. I like that he did not want to get involved with the matter in any way. On the other hand, the way Gallio looked on in indifference as Sosthenes was beaten is more of a gray area. Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Essentially, Franklin was saying war was preferable to tyranny. There can come a point when a government’s powers are so overbearing that any benefits obtained thereby are just not worth it. So what is the proper balance between liberty and safety? I would say your liberty to wave your fists around stops where my nose starts, but without anyone to enforce that, my nose might end up getting in the way of your fist. So in the case of Sosthenes, Gallio took the liberty of the ‘Greeks’ a little too far. From a libertarian perspective, the primary duty of the government is to protect people’s individual rights.

All that remains of the bema seat today is part of the foundation.

Partial foundation of the bema seat viewed from the north side
Acrocorinth can be seen in the background.

The remaining foundation is only one component of the bema seat, which was only one component of the larger Rostra complex. The bema seat was made of marble and had pillars, benches, and other rooms. The Rostra complex was likewise made of marble with pillars and central shops. On the east end was a circular monument. On the west end was a temple to Hermes.

Reconstruction of the Rostra complex, with the bema seat at the center

In his second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul said we must all appear before the bema seat of Christ. (II Cor 5:10) This will probably be the most solemn occasion we will ever experience. We are going to review our lives, and Jesus will judge them. (John 5:22) We will give an account of every idle word we have ever said. (Matt 12:36) We are going to weep for all our shortcomings, our missed opportunities, and all of the ways we have failed Christ. If we are trusting in Christ alone by faith alone, having the seal of the Holy Spirit (ie if we have oil in our lamps), Jesus is going to wipe the tears from our eyes and say [E]nter thou into the joy of thy lord.

I once heard a story about someone who stood before the bema seat, and he was given a box, but Jesus told him he should probably not look inside. Eventually, curiosity got the best of him, and when he opened the box, he started to weep, because the box contained all the things that Jesus wanted to give him but couldn’t, because of his disobedience. Most parents know what it is like to want to give their child a present, only to be stopped from giving it to the child when he is naughty; to have to put it away and hope for a more opportune time in the future.

18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

In our last post, we saw that Paul had already been in Corinth teaching them the word of God for a year and a half. Now, Paul tarries there yet a good while. Paul wrote more to the Corinthians than to any other church. His Letters to them are filled with personal comments about what was happening in the church. He was certainly close to the Corinthian Christians. 

I love the way Paul picks up fellow travelers to serve on his team wherever he goes. Priscilla and Aquila are traveling with him to Ephesus. The vow Paul took was the vow of the Nazarite (Num 6), which Paul had the freedom to do, as a Jewish man under the New Covenant. He also had the freedom not to take a vow. For whatever reason, Paul wanted to take the vow.

Cenchrea is on the south side of the isthmus where Corinth is. Paul and Co walked there from Corinth and took a ship from Cenchrea to Ephesus. It may have been at this time that the church in Cenchrea was planted, or maybe when Paul first met Phoebe. (Rom 16:1) Today, the main road that runs through Cenchrea is called Apostle Paul.

19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them [Priscilla and Aquila] there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

Paul was headed for Ephesus at the beginning of this, his second mission trip, but was directed by the Spirit to go to Macedonia. He may have even wanted to go to Ephesus on his first mission trip, yet was hindered by his thorn in the flesh. (Gal 4:13; II Cor 12:2, 7) Now, at the end of his second mission trip, Paul is finally here in Ephesus, opening the door for him to come back again on his third. That visit may prove to be Paul’s most glorious experience in the mission field. Priscilla and Aquila will be busy in Ephesus while Paul is away, as we will see in our next post.

20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

This reference to God’s will is easy to pass over, but it shows Paul’s reliance on the sovereignty of God. An understanding of the sovereignty of God is a great sedative, and it’s free. When I consider the sovereignty of God, I say, Okay, I may not have gotten what I wanted, but God is not done yet. I can trust Him. He knows what He is doing. (Rom 8:28)

22 And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch [of Syria].
Acts 18:12-22

‘Gone up’ means gone up to Jerusalem. You always ‘go up’ to Jerusalem. Paul went ‘up’ to Jerusalem, but he went down to Antioch, even though Antioch is north of Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, Paul saluted the church before going back to his home church in Antioch.

Thus ends Paul’s second missionary journey. I do not know about you, but studying the life of Paul makes me feel wholly inadequate as a Christian. I feel like I am going to have no other option at the bema seat but to throw myself on the mercy of the Court. C T Studd famously wrote, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” C T Studd was right. Most of what we build in this life is only wood, hay, and stubble. It’s going to burn.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
I Corinthians 3:11-15

In closing, meditate on this classic poem by brother Studd:

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
by C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill.
living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

__ extra stanza __

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Acts 18:1-11 — Paul In Corinth Part I

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In Acts 17, Paul was in Athens, where he wrote his first Epistles: I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians. In this post, Paul will move on to Corinth.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 18:1-11
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

Before the Battle of Corinth in 146 BC, Corinth was a powerful city-state, with many Corinthian settlements extending far beyond the city walls. After being conquered by the Romans, however, the entire region became Roman public property. By the time Paul arrived, Corinth was a Roman colony, the capital of the Roman province of Achaia.

In Athens, it was Athena who looked out over the city from high atop the Acropolis. In Corinth, it is Aphrodite. Aphrodite was the patroness not just of Corinth, but also of the many prostitutes in the city. These prostitutes took an active role in the annual festival of Aphrodesia, a celebration held in honor of Aphrodite. The temple to Aphrodite was built on the highest point of the acropolis overlooking Corinth, called Acrocorinth. As a licentious and hedonistic city, the word ‘Corinthian’ has become synonymous with licentiousness and hedonism. Corinth was also a center of trade. Because of Corinth’s unique location, there were always travelers coming and going.

Road leading to Acrocorinth

Ruins of the church, then the mosque, built where the temple of Aphrodite was.


Map of Corinth in Paul’s day

2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Rabbis in the first century generally supported themselves with a trade. The rabbis famously said, He who does not teach his son a trade teaches him to be a thief. Paul’s trade was tentmaking. Paul said he had power to live off the gospel, but he did not use it in Corinth. (I Cor 9:11f)

Pricilla and Aquila were a dynamic Christian couple. They became Paul’s fellowservants and even risked their lives to help Paul. (Rom 16:3) They went on to host a home church in their house in Asia (I Cor 16:19) and also later in Rome (Rom 16:5). They will be instrumental in discipling Apollos, a mighty leader in the early church (v 28).

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Although Paul was busy tentmaking to pay the bills, he was faithful to evangelize in the synagogue on the sabbath. Opportunities probably arose throughout his workweek as well.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

II Corinthians 11:9 says that Silas and Timothy brought a gift from the Christians in Macedonia, which was undoubtedly a great help to Paul. It probably allowed him to spend more time ministering the gospel and less time tentmaking. We are seeing a real team effort here: Paul’s friends back in Macedonia, Silas, Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila, plus more to come below (Justus, Crispus and his family, Apollos). This is among the most rewarding aspects of ministering the gospel, the friends and fellowservants who you meet who help you along the way.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Paul also said this in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:46), yet he continued going to the synagogue whenever he went to a new town, and he will continue to do so. Paul did not mean he would go unto the Gentiles, period. He meant he would go unto the Gentiles in Corinth. When he goes to Ephesus in Acts 19, he will go to the synagogue as he always does.

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

Justus’ full name may have been Titus Justus, or possibly even Gaius Titus Justus. I will leave that for you to investigate further should you feel so inclined.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

This part of the narrative reminds me of an experience I had in Mudzimurema, Zimbabwe — a little town that was full of thieves. When my friends and I arrived there, we were not received warmly, and I was thinking about moving on to a different town, but one of my friends had a dream telling us there was fruit in the town that was ripe for picking. We ended up having great meetings, and the next night, people were knocking on our door to get saved. Some of the people who seemed least likely to get saved did get saved. We also found there were many others in the town besides the rough-looking guys we met when we first arrived. There were families and nice people there.

Corinth was a wicked city with a bad reputation, but there were lots of people there, and where there are people, there is a mission field. Verses 9 and 10 have spoken to me personally in many different cities I have visited throughout my travels. I have found that when I will just open my mouth and give out the gospel, people will almost always respond. I have never had a hair of my head harmed for doing so. I have been harassed in lots of different ways, but I have never been worse for wear. One guy tried to hit me once in Vasco Da Gama, but I slipped out of it, and he didn’t connect well enough to get me. I told him I wasn’t afraid of him, and he eventually left. He got his hand broken (or hurt badly) almost immediately after leaving us. I didn’t have any more trouble from him after that.

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Acts 18:1-11

I think Paul was discouraged after the opposition he met in verse 6, or else Jesus would not have had to encourage him in verses 9 and 10. Paul was encouraged, and he stayed to teach the word in Corinth for another year and a half. Paul did not give up; he persevered with some help from his friends.

Ajay Haridasse collapsed from exhaustion as he was approaching the finish line at the Boston Marathon last week, but he did not give up. He fell three more times and was getting ready to crawl when another runner, Aaron Beggs stopped to help him. This inspired a third runner, Robson De Oliveira to help as well. All three, from three different countries, and all dying of exhaustion, crossed the finish line together. Never give up, and when you see someone who needs help, be sure to help. (Matt 7:12) Paul could not have accomplished all he did without help.

Paul’s life illustrates the principle that the more you put into practice the truths that God reveals to you, the more He will continue to reveal. As Paul obediently went where God sent him, the going got harder and harder, but Paul kept going. As Paul continued in obedience, God continued to reveal more and more to him. He was given sign gifts and worked miracles. He spoke in tongues. He wrote beautiful Epistles that are still changing lives today. The fruit of Paul’s journeys was not just the souls that were saved, but the formation of the New Testament. Now that’s what I call a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In closing, let’s take a closer look at verse 2. Priscilla and Aquila had to leave Rome when Claudius Caesar kicked the Jews out of the city. Persecution because of antisemitism is something that we Gentiles do not think much about, but for a Jew, antisemitism is an ever-present danger, and it is drastically increasing in our day. The closer we get to the rapture, the more antisemitism we are seeing.

Antisemitism will not last forever. We even see a subtle allusion to this in Romans 16:3-5. Priscilla and Aquila eventually moved back to Rome. When Jesus returns, Jerusalem will be the capital of the world, and people from every country will annually flow to Israel to worship Messiah and keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Those who do not go up to Jerusalem during the millennium to worship Messiah and keep the Feast of Tabernacles will not receive rain. (Zec 14:16f)

Acts 17:15-34 – Paul In Athens

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, the troublemakers from Thessalonica pursued Paul to Berea, causing him to flee once more. This persecution kept Paul moving and, in turn, spreading the gospel even more.

In Acts 17, we get a closer look at the world of the New Testament period. Before Christianity triumphed over paganism, the ancient world was a very bizarre place.

As our section opens, Paul is being conducted by sea to Athens, while Silas and Timothy stay behind in Berea and Thessalonica. This allowed them to minister to the new believers who needed discipleship.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and open our understanding as we read your precious word. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 17:15-34
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

After they drop Paul off in Athens, he gives them a message to take back to Silvanus and Timothy: Come to Athens as soon as possible. When they come, they have a list of questions from the Christians in Thessalonica. It was at this time that Paul wrote I Thessalonians. Then they returned with more questions, so Paul wrote II Thessalonians. Later, Timothy and Silas joined Paul again in Corinth to continue on the mission trip. (Acts 18:5)

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

The patroness of Athens was, of course, Athena. According to legend, Athena bested Poseidon in a contest for patronage of Athens by creating an olive tree. Her idol in the Parthenon atop the Acropolis was 39’ tall, 43’ tall including the base. Made of ivory and clothed in gold, the statue of Athena was a powerful idol, inasmuch as its aesthetic beauty made it very enticing.

For example, many in Southern India worship the folk deity, Muneeswarar, which is nothing more than an oval rock, about 15” long, painted orange, with a horizontal thick black line for a mouth and two X’s for eyes, also made with thick black lines.


AI-generated image

If people will worship that, how much more would they be enticed to worship the colossal image of Athena Parthenos, “Athena the Virgin”? I suspect this is why the Acropolis Museum in Athens does not have a replica. The museum has a small hologram that shows what the idol looked like:

    If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;
    And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:
    This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.
Job 31:26-28

The Roman counterpart to Athena was Minerva. She was therefore worshiped in one form or another throughout the empire. Expanding on the teaching of the Old Testament, Paul wrote that behind every idol a devil is waiting to be worshiped (Deut 32:17; Ps 106:37; I Cor 10:20f), whether it be the sun, the moon, Athena, or Muneeswarar.

Athena was just one of the many idols worshiped in Athens. (More on that below.) Seeing how the city was wholly given to idolatry, a righteous indignation was stirred in Paul. If there is one sin that God really hates, it is idolatry—so much so that God forbade his people to even utter the names of the idols worshiped by the heathen nations. (Ex 23:13)

17 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.

What was it that Paul was disputing in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons? The Jews did not worship idols. The Babylonian captivity cured them of that, even unto today. Paul was disputing the same thing he preached everywhere he went, the resurrection of Christ.

In the market (Gk agora), Paul got the attention of the Epicureans, who were libertines, and the Stoics, who were ascetics.


The market, viewed from the north
(The Areopagus is directly behind the market, below the Acropolis.)

18 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.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?


This screenshot shows where Paul started in the marketplace (the upper-left quarter of the image) before they took him to the Areopagus (lower-left quarter of the image).

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (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.)

The Areopagus was dedicated to Ares, the god of war. His Roman counterpart was Mars. Dr Luke gives us the Greek name, Areopagus (lit Hill of Ares), as well as the Latin name in verse 22, Mars’ Hill. This is where the Areopagus Council met to judge cases of murder, sacrilege, and arson.


The summit of Mars’ Hill viewed from the Acropolis

The fact that they led Paul to Mars’ Hill shows that they were interested in hearing what he had to say. Paul had a captive audience, as they are very much into the art of oratory. Paul does not disappoint:

22 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.

It is commonly said today that a better translation of ‘too superstitious’ would be ‘very religious’. Those who make this claim say that Paul would not start by rebuking the Athenians but would rather compliment them. I suppose these same folks would have John the Baptist beginning with ‘O generation of religious brethren, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come’. All kidding aside, Paul’s message is filled with rebukes against idolatry. It would not make much sense, therefore, for him to begin by commending them for it.

23 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.

The Athenians had an altar for every god, but if there was a god they did not know about, they did not want to offend him, so they made an altar for him, just in case. Paul is here to tell them about their UNKNOWN GOD.

24 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;

Paul made this declaration in the midst of a city filled with temples—on Mars’ Hill, where there were many sanctuaries, including that of the Erinyes, or the Furies to the Romans. Directly above was the temple of Athena on the Acropolis.


The Acropolis viewed from Nymphs Hill at nightfall

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

First Paul attacks their temples, then he attacks the idols inside their temples. Paul’s reference to ‘men’s hands’ was a direct reference to idoatry, ie the work of men’s hands. (Deut 4:28; II Kings 19;18; Ps 115:4; Ps 135;15; Isa 37:19) The Athenians felt their idols honored God, but Paul dispelled this idea. If for no other reason, you have to admire Paul for his bravery. Preaching against idolatry in Athens would be like preaching against basketball in the Crypto.com Arena. 

26 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;

Because of their fine architecture, their famous philosophers, their theaters, and the arts, the Athenians thought they were a ‘cut above the rest’. Paul is rebuking their conceit. We have all been made of one blood (ie Adam). The ‘time before appointed’ in their day was the beginning of the church age following the first coming of Christ. In our day, the ‘time before appointed’ is the closing of the church age and the second coming of Christ. They owe their Greek pedigree, which they are so proud of, to God, as He set the bounds of their habitation.

27 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:
28 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.

The idea that you are closer to God when you go to a temple (or a church) is still widespread today. This was one of the tenets of the Reformation, and born-again Christians understand that one can be just as close to God in his garage or his basement as in a church.

Paul drives his point home by quoting a couple of their Greek poets, Aratus of Soli and Cleanthes. Both had written odes to Zeus, which said, ‘We are his offspring.” Paul does not put a fine point on it to clarify his meaning. They know what he means. Luke 3:38 says Adam was the son of God (cf Gen 2:7).

29 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.

Again Paul strikes at their false gods, which were made of gold, silver, and stone.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

The age in which God closed his eyes to their idolatry was so brief from God’s perspective that it was just a wink, but now that Christ is risen, Paul says that all men everywhere need to repent.

31 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.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

The ancient Greeks, heavily influenced by Plato, saw bodily resurrection as a foolish idea. Nevertheless, whenever the gospel is given out, there are always those who respond.

33 So Paul departed from among them.

Paul drops his mic and walks away. But some of them follow after him:

34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 17:15-34

To the west of the summit, Mars’ Hill sloped down toward the marketplace. On this slope was the Areopagus residential area, which belonged to the prestigious district of Melite. Dionysius lived there, which means he was a well-to-do individual. According to tradition, Dionysius was Athens’ first bishop, but I wonder who Damaris was? When I was in Athens last year, I noticed that the women were into health and beauty. Many of them could be described as chic. I like to think of Damaris as a Greek matron with style and grace.


Images of Greek matrons

There is no Epistle to the Athenians. Paul preached in the center of Greek philosophy and learning, but the message was not received as well as it was in Thessalonica and Berea. I think it was because they were too smart for their own good. (Pr 26:12; Luke 10:21; I Cor 1:26)

I believe another reason the gospel was not well received in Athens was because of their idolatry. I have never met anyone so blinded to spiritual truth as those who worship idols. There is something of a revival taking place in the Muslim world, but not among Hindus. My experience with them was similar to Paul’s in Athens. There were some who believed, but most were not open to the gospel.

15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
Psalm 135:15-18

The Bible begins with a commandment not to worship idols (Ex 20:3-5), and ends with people worshiping the image of the beast. (Rev 13:14f) Then, as the canon of Scripture closes, those who worship idols are cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 21:8)

But before we are too quick to pass judgment on the Athenians in our text, let us take a look at ourselves. Concerning idolatry, the Bible says:

     For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
1 Samuel 15:23

Have you been resisting God’s will in a certain matter? According to the Bible, that is idolatry, and idolaters will not get into heaven. In I Corinthians 6:9, Paul says as much and gives a long list of other sins that will keep people out of heaven. But then he writes, And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (I Cor 6:11) In other words, our sins are forgiven. If you have not yet received Christ as your Saviour, do not delay. Repent of your sin, and abide in the word which will cleanse you of your sins. (Ps 119:9)

In closing, I do not think there is any question that AI is the Parthenon of our day. I used AI to generate an image for this post, which is a story in itself. First, it denied that such an idol as I described existed in India. Then, I used a more advanced version that conceded the idol existed, but said there are no images available on the web. So I had it generate one, which was laughable, as it made it look shiny and spiffy. After some more tries and Photoshoping it to make it look realistic, I asked the AI how it was able to generate the image if it could not find a picture to go by. It then denied generating the image. The amount of money and energy consumption being poured into AI is nothing short of obscene, but that is nothing compared to the effect it is having on society. It is all leading to the mark of the beast and the image of the beast in Revelation 13. Jesus is the way out. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.