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ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 2 - Reports About Preaching Among the Gentiles and the Foundation of Churches From Antioch to Rome - Through the Ministry of Paul the Apostle, Commissioned by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13 - 28)
C - The Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36 - 18:22)

9. Paul’s Return to Jerusalem and Antioch (Acts 18:18-22)


ACTS 18:18-22
18 Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow. 19 He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined; 21 but taking his leave of them, and saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.

The Lord Jesus, through Paul, His servant, planted living churches in Macedonia and Greece. He would then leave one of his fellow-laborers in these churches to strengthen it. Over the course of time Paul became certain that his service in Greece had ended, for the Spirit of the Lord had directed him to return to the early church at Jerusalem and Antioch. There he was to bind the new churches to the previous ones, so that the new churches might not become independent.

It is probable that Paul, in view of the unity of the church, had taken a vow to inform the brothers in Jerusalem of the great things the Lord had done through him. They, too, might thus participate in the shout of Christ´s triumphal procession. We do not know exactly why Paul had his head shaved on his return to Jerusalem. But he certainly did not have his hair cut off to call down the grace of the Lord upon his life. He was well aware that all grace is given by faith only. It may be that Paul, through this vow, wanted to thank Christ for all the grace He had given to him and to all the churches.

When Aquila and Priscilla heard that the apostle of Christ would be leaving Corinth they, also, decided to leave the city. It may be because they were being persecuted for having given Paul work. So they traveled together to Syria. The ship anchored for some time in the port city of Ephesus, where the couple decided to stay and open a workshop.

Paul had longed to preach in this capital city for a long time, but the Holy Spirit had prevented him from entering and ministering in the province of Asia. The same day the ship anchored along the seashore Paul entered the city. He wandered about, studying the possibilities for service and preaching there. He went into the synagogue and explained the law to the Jews, who marveled at his explanation and asked him to come back to them the next Sabbath.

But Paul did not comply with their request, for his destination was Jerusalem. He wanted to go to Jerusalem, and was obliged to go there, even though the doors of service were opened wide in Ephesus. For the present time the voice of his Lord was pushing him away from this center, which was later to become the missing link in the chain of churches planted all along the line from Turkey to Greece. Paul, however, did not preach in accordance with his own will, but according to the Lord’s will, as James the apostle wrote (James 4:15). At the end of his second missionary journey Paul knew that the way for preaching on a future third journey had been completely prepared in the capital of Ephesus. There he had found both a job to sustain his living and a synagogue, which, unlike others, had not contradicted him. Its principle members had even asked him to stay longer.

So Paul, with a thankful heart, came by sea to Caesarea of Palestine. He went up to Jerusalem and greeted the brothers in the church, and worshiped in the temple as a faithful Jew. He did not stay long there, but went back to the Antioch church, which had sent him out to preach among the Gentiles. The name of Christ was greatly praised, and the prediction of the Holy Spirit had been realized in a wonderful way. In the past he had gone out with Barnabas, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, without an intended design. Now many churches had been planted everywhere, and faithful elders had been installed. The Holy Spirit had saved and sanctified many, and the salvation of Christ had effectually and continuously spread its power.

PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, we worship You, for You founded churches all over the world. It was all possible because of your death on the cross. You guided Your apostles by Your Spirit, and sanctified their hearers by faith. Keep us from deceivers, from fanatics, from philosophies, and from self-conceit in social affairs, so that we may hold fast to Your gospel, and glorify Your name as our Savior and coming Lord.

QUESTION:

  1. What were the four cities Paul visited at the end of his second missionary journey?

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