Session 10

The Second Journey – A Well-deserved RestPaul returns home (Syrian Antioch) from Jerusalem.

Why he went, or what business he had in Jerusalem is a mystery.

Maybe he just wanted to say, “Hi!”

Afterward, Paul returned to Syrian Antioch and rested.

The Third Journey – BeginningsPaul, leaves Syrian Antioch and proceeds to retrace his route through Galatia, Pamphylia and Phrygia. It’s the spring of 53AD.

These are his old stomping grounds so he stops in to offer encouragement.

Finally he arrives in Ephesus.

It’s probably late summer or early fall of 53AD.

The Third Journey – EphesusRecall that on his way home on the second journey, Paul stopped in Ephesus and found the people very receptive to the Word.

Now he has returned to sow what promises to be a very fertile field.

Paul inquires as to their baptism – only that of John they reply. Paul baptizes the small church and they receive the Holy Spirit – speaking in tongues and uttering prophecies.

The Third Journey – EphesusAs was his habit, Paul began in the synagogue and preached boldly.

Many were convicted by his message and became believers.

But not everyone.

So Paul takes his toys and moves down the street to the Hall of Tyrannus.

The Third Journey – EphesusHere Paul found a home and stayed another two years, teaching and preaching in the Gentile auditorium.

Paul’s teaching and preaching touched the entire province of Asia.

The Third Journey – EphesusMany tried to imitate Paul by calling on Jesus’ name to cast out demons and spirits.

One of these groups were the Seven Sons of Sceva.

When they tried to perform an exorcism, the spirit turned on them and beat the fool out of them.

When the news of this made the rounds, the people were afraid and came to Paul confession all that they had done.

They brought their scrolls of sorcery and burned them publically. The collective worth was about $75,000.

The Third Journey – EphesusEphesus was renown for its silversmiths and the Temple of Artemis.

The Third Journey – EphesusA silversmith named Demetrius created a riot charging that Paul and the Christians were insulting the goddess Artemis.

Of course this talk stirred up the population and an overall riot ensued.

Apparently Paul was not to be found, so two of his companions, Gaius and Aristarchus were seized by the mob and brought before the city clerk.

When Paul found out what was going on, he wanted to go with them but was convinced by several believers to

stay away.

The clerk, knowing that the young church had done nothing wrong, calmed the crowd and sent everyone

back home.

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthAt some point in his nearly two and one-half year stay in Ephesus, Paul began to correspond with the churches in Corinth.

How or why this communication got started is unknown.

It appears that the letter writing campaign began in the latter stages of his ministry in Ephesus (~55AD).

We believe there were at least four letters written and received.

<55AD 55AD 55/6AD 56AD

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthWe believe there were at least four letters written and received.

<55AD

1 Cor.55AD

2 Cor.56AD

55/6AD1 Cor. 5:9

Written toward theend of Paul’s stayin Ephesus.

“Letter of tears”written shortly after Paul’s second visit.

Written while Paulwas in Macedonia.

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthOne chronology looks something like this:

Paul receives a visitors from the house of Chloe.

It could have been Stephanus, Fortunatus and Achaicus, but we’re not sure.

1 Corinthians 16:17 - I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.

Paul hears that there are divisions and sexual immorality within the church.

Paul writes a (missing) letter to Corinth <55AD

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthOne chronology looks something like this:

Paul receives a letter from the church(es) in Corinth. In it they speak of:- Divisions within the church- Marriage- Food sacrificed to idols- Spiritual gifts- Collection for church in Jerusalem- Apollos’ return

How this letter made it to Paul is unknown. It is possible that Stephanas et al brought it from Corinth (we really don’t know the chronology of their visit). Or it may have arrived by some unnamed person.

<55AD

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthOne chronology looks something like this:

Paul writes a second letter to the church(es) in Corinth – the one we call 1 Corinthians

It was late in Paul’s stay in Ephesus.

If you don’t think Paul’s letters are relevant today:- The church is wracked by divisions- Powerful leaders in the church are pitted against each other- There are disputes about the roles of men and women- Worship has been turned into a three-ringed circus- There is sexual immorality in the church

Paul addresses these issues as well as those bought up in the letter her received from Corinth.

The letter is sent to Corinth - how, we’re not sure but maybe by Timothy (1 Cor. 4:17).

<55AD

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthOne chronology looks something like this:

Paul writes a second letter to the church(es) in Corinth – the one we call 1 Corinthians

It was late in Paul’s stay in Ephesus.

Sometime afterward Paul makes a visit to Corinth. This is trip is not recorded in Acts.

2 Corinthians 2:1 – So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.

<55AD

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthAfter the uproar in Ephesus died down, Paul left and traveled through Macedonia visiting the churches he planted in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and ultimately Corinth.

He stayed in Corinth for three months.

This is probably where Paul wrote the book of Romans.

From here he is joined by several others (Acts 20:4ff) and travels back

through Macedonia.

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthSometime after he left Corinth, Paul wrote a third letter to Corinth. This

is the so called “letter of tears” (2 Cor. 2:3-4).

We believe this letter was delivered by Titus (2 Cor. 7:13).

Titus reports back to Paul that things appear to be turning around.

Paul writes the second letter to the church(es) in Corinth from Macedonia.

55/6AD

The Third Journey – Letters to CorinthWhat did Paul have to say in his second (fourth) letter?

- Defended his conduct and apostolic ministry

- Encouraged generosity

- Defends his ministry against false apostles.

The Third Journey – On to JerusalemLuke rejoined the group in Philippi (Acts 20:6).

They traveled to Troas by boat.

The Third Journey – On to JerusalemLuke rejoined the group in Philippi (Acts 20:6).

They traveled to Troas by boat.

Here we find Paul’s famous sermon about falling asleep in church.

The Third Journey – On to JerusalemLuke rejoined the group in Philippi (Acts 20:6).

They traveled to Troas by boat.

From Troas, Paul traveled by foot to Assos. The rest went here by boat.

They made their way down the west coast of Asia until they reached Miletus.

Here Paul summoned the elders from Ephesus and revealed his plan to go

to Jerusalem.