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²⁷ When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, ²⁸ crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” ²⁹ For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. ³⁰ Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. ³¹ And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. ³² He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³ Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. ³⁴ Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. ³⁵ And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, ³⁶ for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” (ESV)

There is something reminiscent of Jesus’ experience, with the crowd being ”stirred up” and crying out for Paul’s death (see John 19:15). This was but twenty-seven years later. However, the Sovereign Lord who makes all things serve His purposes overruled, even in their hostility, to give the apostle an opportunity to testify.

I was particularly struck by the words, ”they supposed” (29). I recognise how easily we can be misled by supposition, and put the wrong construction on other people’s actions, leading to various bad outcomes. For example, we can tell ourselves lies about others (and maybe even spread them?)

‘Even though Paul was completely innocent of the charge, it placed in jeopardy not only his name and reputation but also his very life. Let us take this as a reminder of the destructive power of any false charge, especially within the church.’ Tom Hale.

PRAYER: Lord, give me the wisdom and grace to believe the best about others, as much as possible, and to always ‘take the high road.’

When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. ¹⁸ On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. ¹⁹ After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, ²¹ and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. ²² What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. ²³ Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; ²⁴ take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. ²⁵ But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” ²⁶ Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. (ESV)

All our ministry ‘successes’ are God’s, and to Him belongs all the glory. May we never forget it. How remarkable that Almighty God should deign to work ”through” mere mortals (19). But as E.M. Bounds asserted, ‘God’s methods are men.’

It is instructive to note in this passage, that wise counsel was given to Paul, and he was sufficiently humble to listen and act upon it (21-26). May we never become unteachable.

There had been a large scale reception of the gospel by many Jews (20), but there was a danger that they would be misled about Paul. Falsehoods were bring spread. Paul was willing to be ‘all things to all men’ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).He would never compromise on essential doctrine, but he was prepared to act expediently for the sake of peace and church unity, and above all in order to further the gospel.. The principle here seems to be, ‘Do not cause unnecessary offence as far as you can help it.’

And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.² And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴ And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed ⁶ and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

⁷ When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. ⁸ On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. ¹⁰ While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” ¹² When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (ESV)

Once again we have a very touching scene, as believers kneel together on the beach, and pray, before saying their emotional ‘farewells’.

‘When we asunder part,
  It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
  And hope to meet again.’ (From the hymn: ‘Blest be the tie that binds’)

Perhaps we never feel the preciousness of Christian fellowship so intensely as we do in times of trial, tribulation, and persecution.

In this passage, the Holy Spirit was clearly speaking. What seems to be equally clear is that Paul did not interpret these warnings of danger as reasons for not going to Jerusalem (Again, see 19:21).

‘The days Paul spent at Caesarea were the last happy days of freedom that he was to enjoy for two or three years. What blessed intercourse Paul and Philip must have had! They had both known Stephen. Agabus joined the happy party, with prophecies of peril ahead, but these only served to bring out the magnificent courage of the Apostle. His purpose was inflexible. An unseen hand was beckoning; a voice which only he could hear was calling. He had no doubt as to God’s purpose, and went straight forward; though he was not insensible to the love and sympathy of friends.’ F.B. Meyer

We also learn something about Philip here that we haven’t seen before: i.e. how hospitable he was – and about his 4 prophesying daughters. What a spiritually dynamic household that was! Was it during this time that Luke learned details direct from Philip about the ‘revival’ in Samaria, and the encounter with the Ethiopian in the desert? I do wonder

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (ESV)

 “Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvellous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends. (The Message)

Paul here speaks about the power in the Word of God itself to edify, to build up the church.

Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples…” (John 8:31). We cannot grow in godliness apart from God’s Word. At the beginning of a new year, let us commit to living deeply in it; to having it deeply living in us. May we be able to say, and mean, with the psalmist, ”I will not neglect your word” (Ps.119:16).

Selwyn Hughes told a story about being at a conference in a certain place, where he met a man and encouraged him to read his Bible regularly. Later on in the week he came across this same man and asked him, ‘Have you been reading your Bible?’ ‘Oh no sir,’ replied the man. ‘I have found that it has been reading me!’

Remember:

“The Bible is the only book whose author is always with you as you read it.” – AW Tozer…who also said,

“Studying the Bible is spending time with God.” 

PRAYER: ‘Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain.” (Psalm 119:36)

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. ¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; ²⁰ how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, ²¹ testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.²² And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. ²⁴ But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵ And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, ²⁷ for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. ²⁸ Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. ³² And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. ³⁵ In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

³⁶ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. ³⁷ And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, ³⁸ being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. (ESV)

In a heart-wrenching scene, Paul quotes some words of Jesus, not found in any of the gospels, but which are totally in keeping with the Lord’s own spirit (35) This was the way Paul had lived among them, with a life characterised by self-giving. It is indeed a powerful thing when a preacher’s own life effectively illustrates his sermons (see v.18).

I confess, I had never thought of this point before, but it is well made by F.B. Meyer: ‘In Acts 20:35 we have the only saying of our Lord in the New Testament which is not preserved in the Gospels. The blessedness applies to our Lord as well as to ourselves. Let us not think that he is tired of our requests. Every time we ask for anything that He can give us, we add to His blessedness, as well as to our own.’

Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders is lengthy, and I don’t propose to go into every detail, but it will reward close study. I do, however, wish to highlight the words of verse 28, which are a remarkable statement about the Divinity of Christ.

On this New Year’s Eve, some of Warren Wiersbe’s comments on this chapter seem appropriate:

‘One day life will end, and we will have to give our farewell speech. Can we look back without regret and look ahead without fear? Will we finish our race with joy…?’

 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. ⁹ And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. ¹⁰ But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” ¹¹ And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. ¹² And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

¹³ But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. ¹⁴ And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. ¹⁵ And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. ¹⁶ For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. (ESV)

I think verse 12 must represent one of the great understatements in Scripture! The raising of Eutychus was another miracle which God performed through Paul, authenticating his ministry, and marking him out as one of the Scriptural greats like Elijah and Elisha. It also demonstrates the continuity between Old and New Testaments. It is also significant that this miracle happened on ”the first day of the week”. (It is also worth noting that Dr. Luke was an eye-witness of this event, and he would have been able to vouch for it).

Verses seven to twelve give us a rather lovely insight into an early Christian meeting. We can see that the church met ”on the first day of the week” (the day on which Jesus rose from the dead); that the meeting was held in a home – an upper storey to be exact – and that ‘breaking bread’ formed a part of it. Also, it seems, there was the ministry of the Word, although the Greek used suggests the teaching took the form of dialogue. It looks like the meeting occurred in an evening. Was this, I wonder, because Sunday would be a normal working day in the Roman Empire, so people would be unable to gather until later? You can imagine how sultry that room might have felt, situated upstairs, filled with people, and with extra soporific warmth from the candle light. It’s easy to sympathise with young Eutychus, who had possibly been at work all day, gradually losing the battle to stay awake. It’s a very human and realistic picture of what can (and does!) happen.

In verses thirteen to sixteen, I have highlighted the words ”intending” and ”decided”. There is a strong emphasis in the book of Acts on people being led by the Spirit. But this is not necessarily incompatible with human reasoning and planning (see 19:21 and 20:22).

After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. ² When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. ³ There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. ⁴ Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. ⁵ These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, ⁶ but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. (ESV)

‘The uproars usually cease, so be patient; but be sure to get ready for the next battle.’ Warren Wiersbe

it has been said that the secret of J.O.Y. is: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. It was typical of Paul to put others before himself. He was outwardly focussed, and regardless of his own troubles and needs, he wanted to encourage the churches.

Encouragement seems such an ordinary, unspectacular thing, but who can live with out it, in one form or another? Who can continue in ministry over a long period of time without receiving regular injections of encouragement? We need these ‘booster jabs’. Of course, we have to learn (as David did) to encourage ourselves in God, but how thankful we are for the encouragement given by dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul was very much a ‘team player’, and there is the potential for great encouragement when we share ministry with others.

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! ¹¹ Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? ¹² And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV)

PRAYER: Lord, in your mercy, forgive our disunity, heal our divisions, mend our disunity, that we may serve you together in a spirit of mutual encouragement, for your glory.

 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” ²² And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

²³ About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. ²⁴ For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. ²⁵ These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. ²⁶ And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. ²⁷ And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

²⁸ When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. ³⁰ But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. ³¹ And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theatre. ³² Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. ³³ Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. ³⁴ But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

³⁵ And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?³⁶ Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. ³⁷ For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. ³⁸ If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. ³⁹ But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. ⁴⁰ For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” ⁴¹ And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. (ESV)

I wanted to return to yesterday’s passage in order to highlight one or two other things:

• Paul knew the Spirit’s leading (21), but his visits to Jerusalem and Rome were to be full of trial and difficulty. Don’t let anyone kid you that the Spirit-filled life is a picnic! When you consider the birth stories of Jesus, as found in Matthew and Luke, and see the prominent role of the Holy Spirit in these events, remember that there were many difficulties for Mary and Joseph to navigate, and for Jesus above all. Yet the Spirit was powerfully at work and God’s will was being done. The Spirit-filled life does not mean the absence of difficulty but the presence of power;
• The folly of idolatry. I think there is almost an ironic comedy lying close to the surface of verse 27. It reminds me of some of those great Old Testament prophetic passages where scorn is poured on idol religion. The temple of Artemis was, in truth, ”nothing” (even though regarded as one of the wonders of the ancient world). She was ”nothing”. Who was this ”great goddess” that she needed humans to defend her? It’s laughable! ”Magnificence”? What magnificence?
• There is also something quite funny about the comment in verse 32-something which rings true about crowd dynamics. Let’s chuck these bricks, and then find out later why we’re chucking them!!

I conclude this brief look at Acts 19 with the always insightful words of F.B. Meyer:

‘The theatre of Ephesus still stands, and the writer of these words has spoken in its mighty enclosure, from the very spot where this town clerk-the model of officialism-must have stood to address and calm the frenzied crowd. Paul never knew the fear of man, and was with difficulty prevented from endangering his life in his desire to turn the occasion to account. He probably refers to this incident when he says that he fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, 1 Corinthians 15:32 . But he could have done no good in the face of such a turmoil. Be valorous, Christian soldiers, but be discreet! Do not throw yourselves from the mountain brow unless God clearly calls for it.

It is well to bear this scene in mind when the Apostle tells us of a “peace that passeth understanding” which stands sentry over heart and mind. His was not the sequestered life of a religious recluse; he was continually battling his way through a stormy sea. But it is in the floods of great waters that we learn what our Lord can be. Dying outwardly and in human estimation, yet we live, 2 Corinthians 4:16 ; the earthen vessel chipped and broken, but the heavenly treasure unimpaired, 2 Corinthians 4:7 .’

²¹ Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” ²² And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

²³ About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. ²⁴ For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. ²⁵ These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. ²⁶ And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. ²⁷ And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

²⁸ When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. ³⁰ But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. ³¹ And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theatre. ³² Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. ³³ Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defence to the crowd. ³⁴ But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

³⁵ And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?³⁶ Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. ³⁷ For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. ³⁸ If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. ³⁹ But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. ⁴⁰ For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” ⁴¹ And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. (ESV)

In verse 26 we get a sense of the very great and widespread impact of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. Let’s remember that this was within just a few decades of the incarnation of Christ, and already there were giant ripples going out across the Roman Empire. This Empire (like every other earthly dominion) was destined to fall, but the Kingdom of Jesus has continued to grow, and will endure for ever (Daniel 2:34,35).

I once read a book in which this question was posed: ‘Does persecution come as a precursor to revival, or does it follow in its wake?’ I don’t know that there is one definitive answer. It seems to me that it can be one or the other, or both. This persecution in Ephesus had to do with vested economic interests being threatened, and there was a huge backlash in the wake of a move of God. (By the way, it looks like the first concern of these opponents of the gospel had to do with their wealth, or potential lack of it, rather than the worship of their goddess.) Nevertheless ”the gates of hell” can never ”prevail” against the church that Jesus is building, however forcefully they may try

Verse 35 reveals that the Ephesians had a reverence for a meteorite that ”fell from the sky”. It is remarkable what mumbo-jumbo people will believe, rather than turn to Jesus Who ”came down to earth from heaven
who is God and Lord of all…”