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Friday, March 24, 2023

Life of Paul - The Third Missionary Journey (Part 1)

Third Missionary Journey


Possible Date: 54--58 A. D.

Scripture: Acts 18:23--21:26

NOTE: 

#Paul
#Apostle Paul
#Missionary Journey


PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY TRIP

TIME, 54–58 A. D. 4 YEARS

Introduction:

    1. Between the first and second journeys of Paul, there was an interval of about two years...
      • In which Paul spent “a long time” in Antioch - Acts 14:28
      • During this a visit to Jerusalem became necessary - Acts 15:1-2
    2. Between the second and third journeys, Paul did not remain long in Antioch...
      • He did spend “some time” there - Acts 18:22-23 Luke does not indicate how long Paul stays in Antioch after returning from his second missionary journey. But it is probably not long before Paul is once again preparing for an extended evangelistic tour. 
      • But he soon departed, perhaps anxious to fulfill a promise made to the Ephesians on his second journey - cf. Acts 18:19-21
      • He begins his third journey by passing north and west through Galatia and Phrygia. It is clear that Paul continues to be concerned about the spiritual growth of those whom he had converted several years earlier.
      • Paul then travels on through Asia to its capital, Ephesus, and thereby fulfills a desire he first felt on a second tour, when he was directed by the Holy Spirit to Macedonia instead. It appears that Paul relishes the opportunity to be in this important city because he stays there for approximately 3 years. A special significance during this time are letters that Paul writes to the church in Corinth - a church which has developed some serious problems since Paul last visited with them.
    [As with his second journey, he starts with...]

                I. THE REGIONS OF ASIA MINOR (54-57 A.D.)

                A. IN GALATIA AND PHRYGIA...
                1.   Strengthening the disciples - Acts 18:23
                2.   This would be Paul’s third time in the region
                o    He visited this area on his first journey - Acts 14:6-20
                o    He returned on his second journey - Acts 16:6
                 
                B. IN EPHESUS...
                1.   Where Paul had briefly stopped on his second journey - Acts 18:19-21
                2.   Where Aquila and Priscilla had stayed, and converted Apollos - Acts 18:24-28
                3.   Where Paul converted twelve disciples of John the Baptist - Acts 19:1-7
                4.   Where Paul stayed for about three years (54-57 A.D.)
                o    Teaching for three months in the synagogue - Acts 19:8
                o    Teaching daily for two years in the school of Tyrannus - Acts 19:9-10
                o    Working unusual miracles - Acts 19:11-20
                o    Note the great success Paul had - Acts 19:10,20
                5.   During this period of time, several things may have happened...
                o    Paul made a short visit to Corinth, his second - cf. 2 Corinthians 12:14; 13:1
                §  His first visit was during the second journey - Acts 18:1
                §  His third visit was later on the third journey - Acts 20:1-3
                §  The book of Acts is silent about his second visit, but most place it sometime during his extended stay at Ephesus
                o    Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians (now lost), alluded to in 1 Corinthians 5:9.   
                6.   Paul makes plans to leave Ephesus - Acts 19:21-22
                o    Sending Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, with Timothy -- eventually going to Corinth - 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10-11
                o    Though he himself stayed “for a time”, during which he writes First Corinthians (spring of 57 A.D.) - 1 Corinthians 16:5-8
                §  Purpose: To correct sinful practices and refute false doctrine
                §  Theme: Walk together in unity, love, and truth
                §  Brief Outline:
                1.   Factions in the church - 1 Corinthians 1:1-4:21
                2.   Sexual immorality in the church - 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
                3.   Lawsuits among brethren - 1 Corinthians 6:1-11
                4.   Moral defilements - 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
                5.   Marriage and celibacy - 1 Corinthians 7:1-40
                6.   Meats sacrificed to idols - 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1
                7.   Women praying and prophesying unveiled - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
                8.   The Lord’s supper - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
                9.   Spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40
                10. Resurrection from the dead - 1 Corinthians 15:1-58
                11.  Collection for the saints - 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
                12. Concluding remarks, instructions, benediction - 1 Corinthians 16:5-24
                7.   Paul sends Titus and “a brother” to Corinth - cf. 2 Corinthians 12:17-18
                o    To bring Paul word as to how the Corinthians received the first letter?
                o    To encourage the Corinthians concerning the collection? - 2 Corinthians 8:6a
                o    Whose delayed return would later give Paul concern - 2 Corinthians 2:12-13
                o    But who would eventually bring Paul good news - 2 Corinthians 7:5-7,13-16
                8.   The Diana incident - Acts 19:23-41
                o    A great commotion brought on by Demetrius and the silversmiths
                o    In which a mob takes two of Paul’s travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus
                o    Barely controlled by the city’s town clerk
                9.   Additional details about Paul’s stay in Ephesus
                o    Sosthenes was there, joining Paul in writing to the Corinthians - 1 Corinthians 1:1
                o    Paul had been visited by Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus - 1 Corinthians 16:17
                o    Aquila and Priscilla hosted the church in their house, and sent greetings to those in Corinth - Acts 18:2,19,26; 1 Corinthians 16:19
                o    Paul’s sufferings while at Ephesus
                §  As related to the Ephesian elders in Miletus - Acts 20:17-19
                §  As mentioned in letters to the Corinthians - 1 Corinthians 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
                o    Paul’s preaching while at Ephesus - Acts 20:21-21,25-27,31
                o    Paul’s manual labor while at Ephesus - Acts 20:33-35; 1 Corinthians 4:11,12

                 C. IN TROAS...

                1. The turmoil over Paul provides an opportune time to leave Ephesus - Acts 20:1
                2. With plans already made (Acts 19:21), Paul heads toward Macedonia - Acts 20:1
                3. At Troas, he finds an open door to preach the gospel - 2 Corinthians 2:12
                4. But not finding Titus, he continues on toward Macedonia - 2 Corinthians 2:13


                [With anxiety over the condition of the church at Corinth, Paul once again travels to...

                 

                II. THE REGIONS OF MACEDONIA AND GREECE (57-58 A.D.)

                A. IN MACEDONIA...
                1. Paul finds Titus, who brings comforting news from Corinth - 2 Corinthians 7:5-7,13-16
                2. Paul preaches throughout Macedonia- Acts 20:1-2
                  • He had preached in Macedonia on his second journey - Acts 16:11-17:15
                  • Establishing churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea
                  • On this trip he appears to have ventured to Illyricum - cf. Romans 15:19
                3. The brethren give generously for the relief of the church in Jerusalem - 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
                4. Timothy rejoins Paul and joins Paul in writing Second Corinthians (fall of 57 A.D.) - 2 Corinthians 1:1
                  • Purpose: To vindicate Paul’s apostleship and manner of life
                  • Theme: Open your heart to us, we have wronged no one
                  •  Brief Outline:
                    • Paul explains his ministry of reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 1:1-7:16
                    • The collection for the saints in Jerusalem - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15
                    • Paul defends his apostolic authority - 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:14
                5. Titus and “two brethren” are sent to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
                  • Likely taking Second Corinthians
                  • To assist the Corinthians concerning the collection - 2 Corinthians 8:6-8; 9:1-5

                B. IN ACHAIA (GREECE)...

                1.  Paul spent three months - Acts 20:2-3
                2. It included his third visit to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 12:14
                  • A visit he hoped would not be sorrowful - 2 Corinthians 2:1
                  • A visit he hoped would not be embarrassing for them - 2 Corinthians 9:3-4
                  • A visit he hoped would not require stern judgment - 2 Corinthians 12:20-21; 13:1-3
                3. Paul wrote Romans (spring of 58 A.D.) - Romans 16:23; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Timothy 4:20
                  • Purpose: To set straight the design and nature of the gospel
                  • Theme: The gospel is God’s power of salvation
                  • Brief Outline:
                    • Justification by faith in Christ - Romans 1:1-11:36
                    • The transformed life - Romans 12:1-16:27
                4. Paul’s companions while in Corinth
                  • Phoebe, servant of the church in nearby Cenchrea - Romans 16:1-2
                  • Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, Paul’s countrymen - Romans 16:21
                  • Tertius, writer for Paul - Romans 16:22
                  • Gaius, host of Paul and the church - Romans 16:23
                  • Erastus, treasurer of the city, and Quartus, a brother - Romans 16:23
                5. Paul’s plans for when he leaves Corinth
                  • To visit Rome and eventually Spain - Romans 1:8-13; 15:22-24
                  • But first he must go to Jerusalem with the contribution for the needy saints - Romans 15:25-29

                1.  [After just three months, then, Paul prepares to leave Corinth and head straight toward Syria on his way to Jerusalem. But circumstances demand a change in the itinerary...]











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