Acts 19:8-10

                                                                     Acts 19:8-10

And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

 

This short passage records one of the most astounding and successful missionary efforts in history.  Paul had been prohibited by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel in Asia during his second missionary journey. However, this is the beginning of his third missionary journey and God uses his ministry in Ephesus to reach the entire region.  Clearly this was by God’s design.  It is interesting to the strategy Paul implemented in this place.

 

EVANGELISM AMONGST JEWS: As was Paul’s custom in every city, he started preaching in the Synagogues.  He had already been in this city for a brief visit and had been asked to stay longer.  He refused but promised to return and was now fulfilling this promise.  His ministry to the Jews in the Synagogue lasted for three months until some of the Jews began to speak evil of the Gospel and were stubborn in their unbelief.  He would not insist on continuing to preach to those who would not respond to the Gospel.  The Jews were an excellent resource for planting a church because they knew the Old Testament Scriptures and lived in accordance with the Law and were waiting for Messiah.  Those who believed on Christ would make faithful leaders for a new church plant.  However, there was also the danger of bringing on persecution from those who refused to consider that they had missed the coming of Messiah and we see Paul as a false teacher who needed to be silenced.  We must preach the Gospel strategically but without fear of potential consequences.

 

DISCIPLESHIP OF BELIVERS: As a response to the criticism Paul experienced in the synagogue, he decides to separate the believers and begins to teach them for a period of about two years.  This “school” is a place where believers could come together, discuss the Scriptures as well as be mentored by Paul and taught by an experienced student of God’s Word.  Clearly, this shift in strategy is intentional and instructive.  There comes a time when insisting with unbelievers who have rejected the Gospel is an exercise in futility.  The time and effort can be better put to use in helping new believers grow and become effective witnesses.  Evangelism and discipleship must always be properly balanced.  Effective discipleship will always result in more active evangelism. 

 

SPREADING THE GOSPEL: As a result of Paul’s focus on building up and discipling the new believers in a concentrated way, the Gospel spread through the entire region.  An area Paul had wanted to visit previously, but was prohibited, had now been reached because of the strategic place where Paul was based.  Since Ephesus was a major hub for market and commerce there were many people from all over the region who would come and go.  Those who would travel to the city would have an opportunity to hear the Gospel and then return to their homes with the message of transformation that only Christ can bring.  Believers from Ephesus who would travel to other places to do business would naturally and intentionally spread the Gospel as they went.  People from the city had family members and connections throughout the region so this was a natural place from which the Gospel could spread.  God calls us to be intentional about the spread of the Gospel though our family and business connections.

 

APPLICATION: We must be faithful to preach the Gospel no matter how people might respond to it.  When people reject the Gospel, it is not our responsibility so we should not be discouraged.  Discipleship of believers is the key to the multiplication process so we must always have people in our lives in whom we are investing.  The goal is that our disciples will make other disciples who will continue the process until our region of the world is reached.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more