The return journey experience
Acts 18:18-22 2/4/2024; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Paul’s second missionary journey is now nearing its end. When he had been in Corinth for eighteen months, he planned to leave. Of course he could go back the same way, but that would obviously not be appropriate. Because Paul wanted to fulfill his promise to go to Ephesus and quickly return to the church in Jerusalem to report on his work. Let’s look at the first point:
Stay in Ephesus
On the way from Antioch to Troas, it is strange that Ephesus was not passed. It is indeed puzzling to cross the province of Asia but turn a blind eye and miss its provincial capital. First, preparation before leaving. It’s really hard to understand Paul’s preparations before leaving. Why “At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. ”？If we look at Numbers 6:18, we will understand the origin: “ And the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall take the hair from his consecrated head and put it on the fire that is under the sacrifice of the peace offering.” The law that God commanded Moses back then had been transformed into a way of expressing thanksgiving to God by the time of Paul’s missionary work. The important thing is that the reason Paul did this was because he wanted to win the Jews first and keep the Jewish law according to the order of the gospel.
Second, leave new disciples. If Timothy was the first generation of disciples cultivated by Paul, then Priscilla and Aquila were the second generation of disciples. Silas was an apostle of the same generation as Paul, and he led Timothy to stay in Berea. Here Paul also left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus. Letting disciples take on important responsibilities in the church as early as possible is the consistent mission strategy of the Bible. Every church of God should take discipleship as its main driving force and allow as many people as possible to become those who bear the mission of the kingdom. In Ephesus, the couple Priscilla and Aquila learned the true skills of Paul and even became the guides of Apollos’ spiritual life. Priscilla and Aquila even assisted Paul in establishing the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:19).
Finally, enter the synagogue for debate. I tried to understand how Paul felt when he went to the Ephesus synagogue to debate with people. No matter which angle you look at it, Paul should have a lot of attention and topics. Ephesus began with Greek culture, developed during the Roman Empire, because it was the Byzantine seat of the Eastern Roman Church, and even became the external cause of the end of the Roman Empire. According to church tradition, the mother of Jesus was arranged by the apostle John to die peacefully here. The Third Ecumenical Council held in 431 was held in Ephesus. Of course, Paul’s original intention in debating was still to prove that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and the crucified Christ of the Jews. Let’s look at the second point:
Debate in the synagogue
When we talk about debate today, it seems to be easy. However, in the environment at that time, it was risky. First, point out the fault of the Jews. Pointing out people’s mistakes is an extremely difficult thing in any era. This was the mission bottleneck of the early church, which was both a limitation and a challenge, as well as an opportunity and expansion. In fact, there is no need for Paul’s language or attitude when preaching the gospel. He only needs to tell the facts, and the Jews should feel pricked. It turns out that the one we crucified is the Creator of heaven and earth! Who can bear this? Unless one is willing to lay down the sovereignty of one’s life, one cannot be humble enough to be taught and accept the truth that Jesus is the Christ. As Paul, since it was the Lord’s will, he moved forward courageously regardless of the cost.
Second, Paul went into the synagogue alone. This time, Paul chose “but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. ” In fact, it is a bit adventurous. The Jewish lifestyle is mostly closed and conservative. When they saw Paul, a former Pharisee and a disciple of the famous Rabbi Gamaliel, they would certainly welcome him. Paul had a very deep understanding of the Bible, especially the law, and naturally the scope of the dialogue between them would be much broader and deeper. At this moment, Paul was no longer a fledgling brother; he was at the end of his second missionary journey. He should have grown a lot in maturity, and will no longer dust himself off casually, nor will he easily refuse Mark’s participation.
Finally, leave a hint to say in the future. The Bible says that after Paul had debated with the Jews in the synagogue, “they asked him to stay for a longer period.” The people here should be the people in the synagogue, at least including them, right? This shows that after the Jews heard Paul’s message, they still wanted to hear it again. This is also an encouragement, exhortation, and alertness to us. Even a message of rebuke, if carried with the love of the Lord, will win hearts in Christ. The tone we use when speaking, the words we choose, and the attitude we hold are all part of the message. You don’t have to say everything at once, just leave a hint so that you can continue to preach the gospel in the future! Let’s look at the third point:
Return to Jerusalem
For more than two thousand years, returning to Jerusalem seems to have become a public topic. Not only Christians want to go back, but Jews, Muslims, etc. also want to go back. In order to go back to Jerusalem, they have fought many wars and lost countless precious lives. So why did Paul go back to Jerusalem? First, debriefing and connection. It has been more than five years since Paul’s first missionary journey in AD 47 to the end of his second missionary journey in AD 52. I believe it was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it’s time to come back and report on my work. If a missionary is away for many years and has little contact with the church, it will be unhealthy for the church and a debt to the missionary. Through debriefing, the church can understand the needs and trends of the mission field, thereby adjusting the church’s mission strategy and direction. Of course, it can also allow missionaries to understand the needs and prayer requests of the church, generate motivation for mutual support, and achieve the spread of the gospel.
Secondly, fellowship and empowerment. Missionaries are the loneliest group in the world, with basically no connections to communicate with. Paul encountered many bottlenecks as soon as he left home, especially difficulties in interpersonal relationships. Once in Cyprus, Mark fled back to Jerusalem. So he didn’t want to take him with him on the second missionary trip. Barnabas who was traveling with him happened to be Mark’s cousin, and he couldn’t accept Paul’s harshness. So, on the second missionary trip, the two of them parted ways and went their separate ways. When Paul returned to Jerusalem, he probably also wanted to meet Barnabas and Mark! It would be best to meet church leaders such as Peter and James and gain strength through sharing with each other.
Finally, get ready to go again. Judging from the details in the verses, Paul’s original plan was to return to Syria from Corinth. This is also a reasonable formation that has a beginning and an end, right? However, the Lord’s way is higher than our way, and the Holy Spirit has the power to adjust within it. Perhaps as soon as Paul got on the boat from Corinth, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul through his quiet time on the boat that he should return to Jerusalem to report on his ministry. The Bible does not tell us much about Paul’s situation in Jerusalem, who he met, what he did, and what he said. But it was clear that while Paul was in Jerusalem, his heart was on the mission field. Silas and Timothy were in Berea, and Priscilla and Aquila were left behind by Paul in Ephesus. Paul was very anxious. He should not have been in Jerusalem for long. He soon returned to Antioch and was ready to set out again.
Conclusion
Well, thank the Lord! Paul’s second missionary journey ended here. God lets us see that Paul’s focus was not on how he argued in the synagogue, but on how to establish, cultivate, and train disciples.
Let us pray……
Acts 18:18-22
18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers[a] and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined.
21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.
