After spending some time in Antioch, I have decided to travel throughout the region of Galatia and Phyrygia, in order to strengthen all of the disciples. I have, over the last few years, traveled extensively and am looking forward to what this new journey will hold. I have no doubt that I will face trials and will, at times, long to be home. This longing however, will pale in comparison to the longing I have to make the name of Jesus known in every corner of the earth and I will not stop until that dream is made a reality. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
The Lord is Doing a Good Work
I am well into my journey now. Having traveled the road through the interior I arrived at Ephesus to find a great many disciples, strong in the faith but lacking something critical. Let me go back for just a moment.
On my journey I was made a aware of a certain Jew named Apollos who is very learned and has a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. Thanks be to God for men of faith such as Apollos. He had been instructed In the way of the Lord, and spoke with great fervor, and taught accurately. What he lacked however, was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You see, Apollos knew only the baptism of John and was therefore not teaching the way of God as adequately as he should. Thankfully, when Priscilla and Aquilla heard him, they welcomed him into their home and explained to him the Way of God more completely.
When I arrived in Ephesus I found this same scenario to be true amongst many of the disciples there. While faithful they had received only the baptism of John. It was my great joy to tell them of the baptism of the Holy Spirit for, not only had they not received it, they had not even heard of it. I told them that John’s baptism was only one of repentance. In order to fully live in God’s will, you must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive His baptism.
Upon hearing this, all 12 of the disciples received this baptism and immediately began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
I look forward to my time here in Ephesus and am anxious to spread the name of the Lord throughout the region.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Hearts are Hardened
I have now been in Ephesus for three months, preaching in the synagogue daily. I have done my best to speak boldly and persuasively about the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately there are many who are becoming hardened against the word. They are refusing to believe and are even publicly maligning the Way. For this reason we have decided to move our discussions to the lecture hall at Tyrannus. It is my hope that there we may continue to preach the name of the Lord without prejudice or fear of backlash.
Daily Discussion
It has been quite some time since my last post, perhaps as long as two years. Alas, I am sure many of you had given up hope, but do not fear. I have been for these two years, teaching daily at the lecture Hall at Tyrannus.
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| Lecture Hall at Tyrannus |
My disciples and I have had public discussions everyday and it is my belief that every Jew and Greek who lives in the province of Asia has now heard the word of the Lord.
God is doing some amazing things here. I have performed miracles by the power of God and have seen many healed.
Unfortunately I have also heard that there are those who are attempting to perform miracles through my name and the name of Jesus Christ. You know as well as I that these men are false prophets and that their work will not be honored by God. In fact, I heard of one case where the evil spirit which they were trying to drive out realized that they spoke not with the power of God but with the power of man and immediately set upon them and beat them.
Even through an unfortunate circumstance like that however, the name of God was still praised as many heard the story and acknowledged that God is the only one who wields such power as to perform miracles.
On to Jerusalem
I have decided to go to Jerusalem and will do so by way of Macedonia and Achaia. I covet your prayers for our journey and will keep you updated as to our progress. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Stirring Up Trouble
In my last post, I told you that we were on our way to Macedonia. There arose, however, a situation that prevented our leaving at that time. You see, some people here in Ephesus, have not looked too favorably on the work that we have been doing, especially those who make a living off the various religions found here in the city. Of particular concern was a man named Demetrius. He is a silversmith who makes silver shrines of Artemis. Artemis is the chief deity here in Ephesus, where they have constructed an elaborate temple in her honor.
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| Temple of Artemis |
The silversmiths sell daily, small statues of Artemis that can be brought to the temple and given as a gift to the goddess.
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| Artemis |
This business of selling the statues is a lucrative one, and Demetrius, along with the other silversmiths in the city have taken issue with the fact that we preach a different God, a God that does not require gifts to brought to the altar in order to receive His blessings.
During a particularly rousing speech, Demetrius said this, “There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
When the crowd heard what Demetrius had said they became agitated and began shouting, “Great is the Artemis of the Ephesians!”
In their fervor they seized my companions Gaius and Aristarchus and rushed into the theater. I wanted to appear before them in order to quiet down the riot but was urged by many that it was not a good idea.
Eventually a city clerk showed the crowd the error of their ways and told them unless they wanted to be accused of rioting that they disperse and let the courts handle the matter.
It was only after that bit of excitement that we were able to leave for Macedonia.
We have finally arrived in Greece and will spend some time here. My hope is that the name of God be heard throughout the entire world.
Grace and peace to your through our Lord Jesus Christ.
My Companions
We have set sail for Macedonia after three weeks in Greece. Our original plan was to sail for Syria but we received word that some Jews there were plotting against me. For that reason we have decided to travel back through Macedonia. With me on this journey are Sopater son of Pyrrus, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia, and Timothy. We will arrive in Troas soon. (Picture of Troas below)
Free-falling
On the first day of the week in Troas we came together to break bread. Following the meal I spoke to the people at great length as I was leaving the next day and wanted them to hear everything the Lord wanted me to say. Late into the night as I preaching I heard some commotion and learned that a young man named Eutychus had fallen out the third story window and was now lying lifeless on the ground. I would like to think that it wasn’t my preaching that put him to sleep but rather the peace of the Lord upon his heart that put him so at ease!
At once I rushed to the boy’s aid and comforted the people there by saying, “Don’t be alarmed, He is alive!”
By the time I went back upstairs to break bread the boy was alert and being escorted home. Praise be to the Lord, our Savior!
Farewell to Ephesus
I have had a busy time since my last post. I made my way on foot along the road below to Assos and met my traveling companions.
When they arrived I encouraged them to stay humble in the Lord and to preach the name of God to all without prejudice. I shared with them that where I am going I am warned that prison and hardship await me but I would consider my life nothing if I did not complete the race and finish the task that God has given me. I exhorted them to be shepherds of their flock and beware for those who would try to infiltrate their faithful. I told them to remain hard at work for themselves and for the Lord as this is what the Lord requires of us, and shared with them the words of Christ Jesus that, “it is better to give than to receive.”
Before setting sail we had a time of prayer and we embraced as we knew we would most likely never see one another again.
Only God Knows What the Future Holds
We have traveled many miles since my last post but have finally arrived in Jerusalem. Throughout our final journey to make it here, I received many warnings against coming to this place. While in Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea to meet us. He took my belt and bound his own hands and feet and told us that the same would happen to me at the hands of the Jews in Jerusalem. He told me I will be handed over to the Gentiles. Upon hearing this many tried to dissuade me from going to Jerusalem. While I appreciated their concern, I would not consider my work finished until reaching Jerusalem so here I am ready for the Lord’s work to be done.
I do not know what lies ahead but I do know that I am where the Lord wants me and needs me. I will proclaim His Gospel until I have breath no longer.
I covet your prayers as we bring the name of the Lord to all who will hear and pray that Lord Jesus Christ will strengthen us for whatever hardship we soon will face. Remain steadfast in the Lord Almighty for He and He alone will save you from your sin and give you a fullness of life.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always!
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