Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey
Acts 19:1-7 NLT
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples...”. - Acts 19:1
Apollos had decided to remain in Corinth; however, Paul went on to Ephesus. He had intended to visit them at the start of his 2nd Missionary journey but was unable to make it. Therefore he made sure he not only went this time but stayed a while...reportedly a little over 2 years. It was during his stay in Ephesus that he wrote his 1st letter to the church in Corinth.
The 12 men he had encountered when he first arrived in Ephesus were true believers who were missing a most critical piece of the forgiveness puzzle. They admitted that they were followers of John the Baptist yet knew nothing of Jesus or the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Their repentance was secure thru John’s baptism, but they needed to turn their faith to Jesus, the author and finisher of that faith. Once Paul had instructed them in their lack they received Christ and were filled with God’s Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands by the apostle Paul. As evidence that this baptism had taken place, they immediately began speaking in tongues and prophesy. They had now believed that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah the Jews had all been waiting for.
A word about Ephesus... It had been a sprawling metropolis that was a commercial and transportation hub for that Roman province, being a huge center of trade. This area linked the hinterland* of western Asia-Minor via the waterways. Excessive lumbering left the land somewhat barren and prone to erosion from the rains that came. The topsoil eroded into the streams and rivers carrying it to the river’s mouth, creating a marshy situation. The unchecked erosion clogged the waterways, choking off commerce, thus causing the city to lose money and its ability to sustain itself. When Paul had arrived it was a shadow of its former self. Nonetheless, this appeared to have no ill effect on the propagation of the gospel, which gave hope to those all who embraced it. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His name & for His glory,
RL Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament, Copyright 2004.
* The land directly adjacent to and inland from a coast.
a. A region remote from urban areas, backcountry.
b. A region situated beyond metropolitan centers of culture.
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