Acts 19-23
Leaving Ephesus
and Jerusalem

Because of her character and the discipline to base her actions and reactions upon godly wisdom rather than foolish emotion, her husband can trust her. She will do him good, and not evil all her days. She will bless rather than curse him, forgive rather than retaliate, pray rather than nag, and get her needs met by God so she is free to meet the needs of others (the hallmark of a godly individual). These are characteristics godly men should have too. Because of their relationship, her husband will have “no need of spoil” nor “lack any gain”. The normal use of the words, especially in Proverbs is the first reading, as reflected in the KJV (but abandoned by most modern translations). Spoil would consist of servant women. A godly man with a Proverbs 31 wife would not even be attracted to someone inferior, because his virtuous woman is all he needs or desires.

In Ephesus Paul encounters a dozen Apollosesque disciples (cf 18:24-28), who were believers, but had only received John's baptism, one of repentance. They hadn't heard that the Holy Spirit was given (this verb is implied from John 7:39). John had seen the Holy Spirit descend and had clearly announced that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, so translations that imply they didn't know there was a Holy Spirit, don't know what's going on. Paul tells them that John said people should believe in the one coming after him, Jesus, so they were baptized in His name. Literally verse 6 begins: “and laying upon them the Paul the hands came the Spirit the Holy upon them” is a literal translation. “Laying” is an aorist passive participle (in a genitive absolute construction), modifying the aorist active indicative “came.” Any sequence or additional words is a translator's choice. The verbs which follow “speaking and prophesying” are imperfect, indicating an ongoing action. Acts 2, 10:46, and here are the only three times the Holy Spirit's gift of tongues is mentioned in Acts (1Cor 12-14 is the only other passage in the NT on the topic; Hmmmm, I wonder what the rest of the NT is about???). As in Acts 10:46 (see comments there) the giving of the Holy Spirit was delayed to tie in people to the apostolic church and doctrine. This is a transitional phase, and not applicable to modern practice (unless you have people who only know of John's baptism, and a genuine miracle working apostle on the scene). Anything else is as  bogus as the contents of the handkerchiefs mentioned in verse 12.

Paul spent three months in the synagogue reasoning and persuading Jews about the Kingdom of God (the one promised in the OT, announced by John, and preached by Jesus and the apostles; see Introduction to Matthew if you missed it). As usual, some believed, some became the devil's agents (“hardened” is only used here, in Rom 9:18 of God fixing Pharaoh in his choice; and in Hebrews 3:8,13,15; and 4:7 of believers hardening themselves). Harden and unbelieving are imperfects, indicating an ongoing action. Some people just don't want to hear that God will judge them with positive or negative consequences, and they spoke evil of “the way” (9:2). Paul left and spent two years reasoning/teaching in a local lecture hall, so that all Asia (probably a little hyperbole) heard the word about the Lord Jesus. Ephesus was a commercial crossroads, and the home of one of the seven wonders of the word, the temple of Artemis. God authenticated the message with miracles.

The Seven Son's of Sceva, a traveling exorcism team and vaudeville act, tried casting out demons in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches. The response is comical. But the effect on the people was convincing. Not only did people fear God and believe so that the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, but they renounced their sins with words and deeds. They made a bonfire of their magic books and CD's. If a silver coin was a day's wage, that would be around five million USD. Luke gives another progress report in verse 20.

Paul had determined to go to Jerusalem and Rome, and sends Timothy and Erastus (Rom 16:23; 2Tim 4:20) into Macedonia. Paul's ministry had been so successful that it cut into the idol maker's trade (the magic book sellers weren't too happy either). Demetrius stirs up trouble and causes a senseless, demonic riot (when you have confused people not knowing why they are in an amphitheater, screaming the same thing for two hours, you either have the home team losing a sports event or a demonic activity). God uses the brothers to prevent Paul from getting stoned again, and a secular town clerk saves the day with sanity. He notes that Paul had neither robbed the temple or blasphemed the goddess (a good point to remember when dealing with irrational people).

Paul went to Macedonia, and encouraged believers with teaching truth. He spent three months in Greece until the Jews hatched another plot (probably those tenacious Thessalonians were after him again). They go to Troas, and on the first day of the week (when the Lord rose) gather to break bread with the disciples (doesn't appear to be the fourth Sunday of the month, nor is this the Sabbath -Saturday). Paul gave a talk that was longer than Romans and the lights probably made the room really warm. The penalty for falling asleep during a sermon in those days was death (if you were sitting on a third floor window sill). Paul resurrects Eutychus and talked until the cows left home.

Luke “we” went ahead on the ship and met Paul as planned. He didn't want to spend time in Ephesus again because he was hurrying to Jerusalem for Pentecost. But he sends for the elders at Ephesus to come and gives them a farewell charge which serves as a model for NT leadership. Verse 28 is key and should be memorized and applied, as should verse 32.

Leadership of a local assembly is plural, as in a team of elders (no one man shows).

Paul invested time with the believers/leaders helping them mature, so they could help others.

Leaders are humbly serving God in leading others, and will suffer disappointments and temptations and persecution.

Leaders teach whatever is profitable, even if it is unpopular (just make sure it's truth).

Teaching is both public and private (the former frequently paves the way for the latter), in both formal and informal (house to house) settings. The word for teach can mean an educational discourse or discussion, which is what would happen in most home settings.

All people need to be taught to change their thinking (repentance) from doing their thing to doing God's will, and to have faith toward the Lord Jesus' promises.

Leaders sometimes only know the next steps God wants them to take and need to trust that God will continue to guide as they walk in the truth. The Spirit gave Paul direction to go to Jerusalem, but didn't tell him what will happen except that bond and afflictions await him in every city.

Leaders have faithful perseverance, caring not for their own comfort nor even lives, but living for obeying the Lord Jesus (in word and deed).

Teaching must include all that God has declared, especially that there is a Kingdom coming in which God will reward righteousness (actually if someone is teaching the Scriptures in context, this theme is obvious). Leaders and teachers are like Jeremiah's watchman, if they fail to warn people from God's perspectives, they are responsible for the people's sins; if they faithfully warn them, like a watchman would of coming danger, then they are innocent of the flock's blood when they get eaten by wolves.

a) Leaders must first take responsibility for their own spiritual survival and growth, being on guard against whatever dangers will trip them up.
b) Leaders must then be on guard for the flock, and the dangers which can harm the sheep (many of which are self-inflicted).
c) Leaders are made overseers by the Holy Spirit, not some external authority. This is the chiastic center of the verse. The word for overseer is episkopos (from which we get our word episcopalian, which as a denomination has an organizational hierarchy of bishops or overseers -same word). The Holy Spirit creates such critters by building godly traits into their lives. Organizations don't ordain them; nor carnal Christians elect them, but the Body recognizes them. In NT times, the more mature did the recognizing. See Marks and Models of Godliness, an applicational survey of the qualifications of elders from 1Timothy 3 and Titus 1 (where we'll revisit this topic), on Truthbase.net. 
d) The task of shepherding or pastoring is entrusted to elders. Gasp! The noun and verb for “pastor” is shepherd, which is how it is translated by most versions in every occurrence except Ephesians 4:11 (see comments there), which is the only time the word “pastor” occurs in the Bible. Double Gasp! And there it refers to a supernaturally gifted critter (non seminary trained) “pastor-teacher,” given to the early church along with the miracle working apostles and prophets to get the early church on its feet (we'll talk about evangelists in Ephesians 4). The phrase “senior pastor” is really “Chief Shepherd” which technically only belongs to one Individual (1Pt 5:1-4). Stone him! 
e) The church/assembly is God's, He owns it, and smart leaders remember that always.

The flock of God will be attacked by Satan's wolves who will come from without and within using lies to draw away disciples after themselves in pride. These two hoof-prints (lies and pride) are clues to those in the church who have been taken captive to do his will (2Tim 2:24-26).

Shepherds need to be ever vigilant admonishing (put in right mind by warning of consequences, which gives you an idea of the problem) even when it's uncomfortable

a) Leaders entrust themselves first to God for safekeeping their lives and honor.
b) Leaders commit themselves to the word of God's grace (which tells of the grace that saves, empowers, and rewards) which has the power to build them up (strengthen) if they use it properly (1Cor 3:12-14; Col 1:7; Jude 1:20).
c) Leaders apply God's word to their own lives (learning to do what is right in God's sight) so they get an inheritance among those who are sanctified, in the future kingdom (even if they only get grief from sheep and pain from Satan's wolves in this life).

Leaders who serve God don't look to people for their financial needs (nor covet their stuff).

Leaders should be supported by those they serve (1Cor 9), but recognize that God gives them their daily bread, sometimes through their own efforts. Note that Paul is an exceptional case which he describes in 1Corinthians 9. He was directly commissioned by God to preach and therefore was just doing his duty in carrying out the command. To gain greater reward/inheritance in the kingdom, he taught at his own expense and covered the expenses of those with him as well. See 35b.

As Paul said farewell, the love they had for each other was obvious.

Paul is warned that dangers await in Jerusalem, but he is determined to go. Even “spirit-led” people warn Him. He is not told by the Spirit not to go, only that pain awaits, which he willingly embraces for the name/glory of his Lord Jesus.

The Christian elders in Jerusalem, apparently led by James hear all that God has done through Paul and glorify God. But then they come up with a plan to dispel the false rumors about Paul's teaching, paying the vows of some of the believers. He submits to it, and it almost works.

However, Satan's agents, this time Jews from Asia, spread lies, twist truth, cause a ruckus, and mob mentality rules. Paul gets beaten so badly he can't walk up stairs, and the Roman guard whisks him away.

Never one to pass up a crowd, even a hostile one, Paul asks for permission to speak, and the commanding officer grants him the request.

Paul starts by establishing commonality with and credentials before the crowd, and then starts his testimony.

Paul gives his encounter with Jesus, indicating that he could not see because of he was blinded by the glory. He tells us (who didn't read it in Acts 9 -see comments) that God appointed him to know His will, see the Righteous One, and hear His words. Paul was also instructed back then to be baptized and wash away his sins (like John's baptism), as he called upon the name of the Lord (a good OT practice for deliverance). Paul mentions a vision in the temple which we didn't hear about earlier either, that the Jews wouldn't believe him, and that God was sending him to the Gentiles.

When the Jews hear that God would send salvation to the Gentiles directly (without making them first become Jews ) they go ballistic. Going directly to the Gentiles undermines their sense of worth and value, and that causes them to deem Paul unfit to live. This will be the subject of a number of upcoming epistles. The commanding officer wants him to be scourged until he can figure out what crime he must have committed. Usually the Romans were wiser in these matters. Paul appeals to his Roman citizenship to avoid more unjust treatment that could have killed him, and sets up the encounter with the Jewish leaders the next day.

The commanding officer of the Roman garrison calls together the Jewish Council to find out the truth about Paul. Paul barely gets a sentence out of his mouth about living before God in good conscience, when the high priest orders him punched in the mouth because he disagrees with what Paul is saying. Paul, not knowing he is the high priest, properly denouncing him as a hypocrite, because he is pretending to judge according to the law while breaking the law himself. Informed that he is speaking evil against the leader of God's people, contrary to the law, Paul pleads ignorance and contritely quotes Exodus 22:28.

Perceiving that there are Pharisees and Sadducees, Paul gives a two sentence speech, setting the two groups at each other. He really was being judged concerning “the hope (for the dead) and resurrection of the dead.” In the next chapter he elaborates, but obviously his audience understood what he meant because they start arguing about it.

Forty Jews take an oath not to eat or drink until they kill Paul, and hatch a plot with the cooperation of the Jewish council. Paul's nephew hears, and gets the message to the commanding officer, who hustles Paul off at night to Caesarea. The forty Jews must have been very hungry. (Actually they had bound themselves with a great curse, which when they ate, would come upon them.)

Clauduis writes to “most excellent” Felix, the governor, and the same title Luke used to address the recipient of Luke and Acts, Theophilus. The Romans once again vindicate Paul as Pilate did Jesus, of not doing anything against Roman law, nor worthy of death or imprisonment. And the stage is set for Paul's next witness to rulers and authorities.