Paul's 3rd & Last Recorded Missionary Journey - Money Collected for the Poor Jewish Saints in the Jerusalem Church:

Our last study examined the 19th chapter of Acts, which documents Paul’s visit to Ephesus. The 30th and 31st occasions of the word “believe” in Acts occurs there describing believers in Ephesus who were not aware of the gift of the Holy Spirit prior to Paul’s arrival, Acts 19:22 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

and Acts 19:3 - 43 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

. The 32nd occasion refers to those in Ephesus who burned their pagan/cultic books worth 50,000 pieces of silver, Acts 19:18 - 1918 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

. Chapter 20 does not contain the word believe. This study will document the timeline of events recorded in Acts 19 & 20 by comparing those chapters to the epistles Paul wrote during that time. Commentators’ indicate that while Paul was in Ephesus in the Spring of 57 AD, he wrote 1 Corinthians. There, he asked the Corinthians to take a collection for the Kingdom Saints in Jerusalem when they met every Sunday and designate men to take the collected monies to Jerusalem and if possible, he would accompany them there, 1 Corinthians 16:1 - 41 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

. We learn from 1 Corinthians 16:88 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

that he was not going to leave Ephesus until Pentecost that year. The Jewish Feast Day of Pentecost is 50 days after the Jewish Passover (which we celebrate as Easter), which occurs on our calendar variously from late March to late April each year. Therefore, Paul would have left Ephesus sometime around our month of June, 57 AD. He informed the Corinthians he planned to travel from Ephesus and go through Macedonia to winter with them, 1 Corinthians 16:5 - 65 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

, which would have been the winter of 57 AD to 58 AD.

Paul bid the Ephesian believers farewell and traveled to Macedonia where he visited the churches previously established, this being Paul’s third and last recorded missionary journey, Acts 20:1 - 31 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

. Titus came to Macedonia from Corinth with news that the believers in Corinth had addressed a problem there involving an immoral believer who Paul had scolded the Corinthian Church about in the epistle he wrote them from Ephesus, 1 Corinthians 5:1 - 131 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

. As a result of what Titus told him, Paul wrote to the Corinthians again, this time from Macedonia, that they needed to forgive and restore that man to fellowship, 2 Corinthians 2:6 - 86 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

lest Satan take advantage of him, 2 Corinthians 2:1111 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

. We also learn from 2 Corinthians 7:5 - 75 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

& 2 Corinthians 7:1313 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

that while in Macedonia Paul could not rest because of the controversy he encountered, which troubled and made him fearful. However, he was comforted when Titus joined him.

Paul traveled south from Macedonia into Greece (Corinth) where he spent 3-months, Acts 20:33 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

. While there he wrote his epistle to the Romans, informing them he had wanted to visit them for some time and now was planning to do so on his way to Spain. However, he was going to Jerusalem first to minister to the poor saints there with the offerings he had collected from the Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia (Corinth). He promised the Roman believers he would then visit them on his way to Spain and asked them to pray for his safety from the threat of unbelievers in Jerusalem and also that the Kingdom Saints in Jerusalem would accept the offering he brought them, Romans 15:22 - 3122 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

. When Paul prepared to sail from Corinth to Syria (and thus to Jerusalem), he learned that unbelieving Jews were waiting to ambush him, so he retraced his steps back to the north into Macedonia, Acts 20:1 - 3.

Some of those traveling with Paul are identified as Sopater from the town of Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia and Timothy, Acts 20:44 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

. These seven left Paul in Macedonia and sailed ahead to Troas (a significant port city during that time located in what is now Turkey) and waited there for Paul, Acts 20:55 These going before tarried for us at Troas.

. Luke indicates that he, along with Paul and the others with them waited in Macedonia until after the feast of the Passover before leaving Philippi (Neapolis was the port city of Philippi). They sailed 5 days to Troas where they stayed 7 days, Acts 20:66 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

. On a Sunday, the day before they were to leave Troas, Paul and the believers with him had dinner in an upper room and Paul preached until Midnight, Acts 20:7 - 87 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

. A young man named Eutychus was sitting in a 3rd floor window during Paul’s long talk but slept and fell out the window to the ground below where he was picked up dead. However, when Paul reached and embraced him, he declared that there was life in him, and they brought Eutychus back to the room alive, Acts 20:9 - 129 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

. (Since verse 10 indicates Paul “went down” to Eutychus and verse 11 indicates “when he was therefore come up again,” it appears Eutychus fell 3 stories from a third-floor window to the ground below since Paul left the upper, second floor, room to go down to him and then came back up to the upper room.)

When Paul got back to the upper room, they had a meal and talked till dawn when Paul left on foot to go to Assos while Luke and others in their group left by ship to sail to Assos. There, they took Paul aboard and sailed to several other ports, but Paul was in a hurry and sailed past Ephesus because he wanted to get to Jerusalem in time for the Feast of Pentecost. Paul stopped in Miletus and sent messenger/s back to Ephesus, asking the Elders there to come visit him, Acts 20:11 - 1711 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

. (According to secular sources it would have been about 63 miles overland from Miletus to Ephesus and about 38 miles by ship so it would have taken a while for the messengers to get to Ephesus, round up the Elders and return with them to Miletus.) In his meeting with the Ephesian Elders in Miletus, Paul pointed out:

· His modesty/ humility among them while he was in a sorrowful state because of the plots to kill him by unbelieving Jews, Acts 20:18 - 1918 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

19 Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

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· How he was profitable to them by openly teaching both Jews and Gentiles faith toward or into the Lord Jesus Christ, going from house to house (note this is the 5th occasion that the Lord’s full glorified title “The Lord Jesus Christ” is found in Acts, as well as in the New Testament for that matter. The number five in Scripture denotes Grace.) Acts 20:20 - 2120 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

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· He was now obligated to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what would happen to him there, but knowing the Holy Spirit had revealed he would suffer affliction and distress, Acts 20:22 - 2322 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

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Paul is quoted: “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:2424 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

. Paul taught “the gospel of the grace of God” throughout his travels but this is the first time it is fully stated as such. That Gospel is succinctly described or encapsulated in 1st Corinthians: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

. The Gospel of the Grace of God that Paul taught is different than the Kingdom Gospel Peter and the 12 preached to the Jews. Peter’s message to Israel was to believe Jesus was their Messiah; to repent and be baptized and wait for Him to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. That Kingdom on earth has been on hold for almost 2000 years now while God fills up the Church, The Body of Christ, as revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. The fact the Jewish Kingdom believers are referred to as the “poor saints” in Jerusalem, Romans 15:2626 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

, is an indication of the setting aside of that program. It was only about 11 years after Paul was in Jerusalem that the Roman Titus overran Jerusalem in 70 AD, destroyed the Temple and sent the Jews into dispersion.

Paul warned the Ephesian Elders that false teachers would come in among them. They prayed together and parted when Paul told them they would not see him again. It should be noted that in Acts 20:3535 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Paul quotes the Lord Jesus as saying, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” This quote is not found anywhere else in the Bible; therefore we know Jesus said it and in one of His revelations to Paul, informed him He had done so.

Paul had written the Roman believers from Corinth that he purposed to visit them, Romans 15:24 - 2824 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

, but when he wrote that, he didn’t know his visit to Rome would be in Roman custody as he was to be arrested in Jerusalem. (I hope to cover the 33rd & 34th occasions of the word believe in Acts 21 in the next study, which documents Paul’s visit to Jerusalem.)