The Book of Acts

NOTE: You may recall our last posting in Acts, but for those who are like me and need a reminder, we were looking at the Riot at the Temple for Artemis. Seems the message, which didn’t mention Artemis by name, put a dent in the businesses there because the people of Ephesus were being asked to essentially replace their goddess of fertility with someone named Jesus. All that He represented flew in the face of their cultic belief system, not to mention all the idols made by local businesses that would cease. One local artisan took to the streets and instigated a riot with the purpose of running the Christians out of Ephesus. That is where we left off ...

Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece

“When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia.” (Acts 20:1 NLT)

            Paul had visited Greece, spending the bulk of his time in Corinth. This was due to his concern about the church there. False teaching and general divisiveness caused him to attempt to straighten some things out theologically. While there he also wrote his letter to the Roman church. He told them of his plan to pay them a visit. This letter was a “theological essay on the meaning of faith and salvation, an explanation of the relation between Jews & Gentiles in Christ, and a list of practical guidelines for the church.” ^[1]

              There were brothers in Christ that travelled with Paul. They represented some of the churches Paul had started in Asia. Paul was planning to go to Jerusalem with an offering he had collected from the Asian churches. This money was earmarked for those believers who were in great need. Paul saw this as an important step to bridging any divide that may have still existed between Jewish believers and their Gentile counterpart; you see, the collection was from the Gentile believers in the Macedonian region. 

             Paul caught wind of a Jewish plot to assassinate him when we was travelling by sea to his next destination (Syria), therefore, even though travelling by land could be equally dangerous due to robbers, he went that way anyway. He had wanted to celebrate Passover with the brothers in Jerusalem, however, with the change in travel plans, he and his entourage chose to stay in Troas for the celebration instead. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.   

^[1] Verse notes, p. 2443, The Life Application Study Bible, Tyndale Publishers.

Note: It is apparent with the use of the pronouns “us” & “we” in verses 5 & 6 that Luke was with the travelling party at that time.