Thematic Bible: Missionary journeys

And when he had spent some time there, he departed, and went in order through the country of Galatia and Phrygia strengthening all the disciples. Now there came to Ephesus a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures. Who had been instructed in the way of our Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught clearly the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. read more.
And as he began to speak openly in the synagogue, Aquila and Priscilla heard him and took him home, and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly. And as he was inclined to go into Achaia, the brethren wrote to the disciples exhorting them to receive him: who when he arrived, was very helpful to those who had believed through grace. For he disputed vehemently with the Jews in public, proving by the scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ. Now it came to pass while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul having passed through the upper parts of Asia came to Ephesus: and finding some disciples there, he said unto them, Have ye received the holy Spirit since ye embraced the faith? And they said unto him, Nay, we had not even heard whether the holy Spirit be yet given. And he said unto them, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John. Then said Paul, John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people, that they should believe in Him that was coming after him, that is, in Christ Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And as Paul laid his hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And the men were in all about twelve. And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly, disputing with them for the space of three months, and persuading them of the things concerning the kingdom of God. But as some were hardened and refractory, speaking evil of the way of life before the multitude, he departed from them, and took away the disciples with him, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this he did for two years; so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord Jesus. And God wrought extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul: so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases lest them, and evil spirits went out of them. Then some of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those that had evil spirits, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth." Now there were seven sons of one Sceva a Jewish priest, who did this. But the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leapt upon them, and mastered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of them that believed came confessing and declaring their former practices. And a great number of those that had used inquisitive arts, brought the books, and burned them before them all: and they computed the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily did the word of the Lord increase and prevail. After these things, Paul purposed in spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia, and go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. So he sent into Macedonia two of those that ministred to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed some time in Asia. Now there happened at that time no small disturbance about the way which he taught. For one Demetrius, a silver-smith, who made silver models of Diana's temple, brought no small gain to the artificers: whom he got together, and with them the workmen they employed about such things, and said, My friends, ye know that by this employment we get our wealth. And ye see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but in almost all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and perverted many people, saying, that they are no gods which are made by hands. So that we are not only in danger of this, that the business we follow will come to nothing; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be despised; and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the whole world worshippeth. Hearing this and being filled with rage, they cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus two Macedonians, fellow-travellers with Paul. And when Paul would have gone in unto the people, the disciples would not let him. And some also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, sent to him and desired him not to venture himself into the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know for what they were come together. And they brought Alexander forward out of the multitude, the Jews urging him on. And Alexander beckoning with the hand, would have made a defence to the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, they all cried out with one voice, for near two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And when the Secretary had appeased the multitude, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is devoted to the service of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Since therefore these things are incontestible, ye ought to be quiet and composed, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought these men hither, who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess. If Demetrius therefore, and the artificers that are with him, have a charge against any one, the law-courts are open, and there are Roman proconsuls likewise: let them implead one another. But if ye are enquiring any thing about other matters, let it be decided in a lawful assembly: for we are in danger of being charged with sedition for what has happened this day, there being no cause by which we can give a reason for this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. And after the tumult was over, Paul sent for the disciples to him, and having embraced them, departed to go into Macedonia. And having passed through those parts, and given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. And when he had spent three months there, the Jews having laid wait for him as he was going to embark for Syria, he determined to return by Macedonia. And there accompanied him to Asia, Sopater the Berean, and of the Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy: and the Asiatics, Tychicus and Trophimus, who went before and stayed for us at Troas. And after the days of unleavened bread we sailed from Philippi, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we spent seven days. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled together to break bread, Paul being about to depart on the morrow, preached unto them, and continued his discourse till midnight. And there were many lamps in the upper room where they were assembled. And a young man named Eutychus, who sat in a window, falling into a deep sleep, as Paul was discoursing for a long time, sunk down and fell from the third story, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down and leaned over him, and took him up and said, Be not disturbed; for his life is in him. Then he went up again, and having broken bread and eaten, and conversed with them a considerable time, even till break of day, he departed. And they brought in the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. But we went before to the ship, and sailed to Assos, being there to take in Paul: for so he had appointed, designing himself to go on foot. And as soon as he joined us at Assos, we took him in and came to Mitylene. And sailing from thence we came the next day over against Chios; and the day following we arrived at Samos, and stopping at Trogyllium, we came the day after to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, that he might not spend time in Asia: for he endeavoured, if it were possible, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. But he sent from Miletus to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know in what manner I behaved among you all the time, from the first day that I came into Asia. Serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears, and trials which befel me by the ambushes of the Jews. And how I with-held nothing that was useful, but have declared it to you, and have taught you publicly and from house to house: testifying both to the Jews and Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, being constrained by the spirit, behold I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will befal me there: save that the holy Spirit testifieth in every city, that bonds and afflictions await me. But none of these things move me, nor do I account my life dear, so that I may 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. And now behold I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I call you to witness this day, that I am clear from the blood of all men. For I have not failed to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the holy Spirit hath appointed you bishops, to feed the church of God, which He purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from among yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Watch therefore, remembering that for the space of three years I ceased not by night and by day to warn every one with tears. And now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to the word of his grace: who is able to edify you, and to give you an inheritance among all that are sanctified. I have coveted no one's silver, or gold, or apparel: and ye yourselves know that these hands have ministred to my necessities, and to those that were with me. I have shewed you in all things, that by labouring thus ye ought to support the infirm; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And when he had said these things, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they were all much grieved, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him: sorrowing most of all at the word which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. Now as soon as we had parted from them, and set sail, we came in a strait course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara. And finding a ship there, which was passing over to Phenicia, we went aboard it, and set sail. And coming in fight of Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed to Syria, and came down to Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade. And we stayed there seven days; having met with some disciples: who told Paul by the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem. But when we had completed these days, we departed and went our way, all of them attending us with their wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore and prayed. And having taken leave of each other, we went into the ship, and they returned home. And we finishing our voyage, came down from Tyre to Ptolemais, and saluting the brethren stayed with them one day. On the morrow Paul and those that were with him departed from Ptolemais, and came to Cesarea; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons, we stayed with him. And he had four daughters virgins, that were prophetesses. And as we abode there several days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus: and he came to us, and taking up Paul's girdle, and binding his own hands and feet, he said, Thus saith the holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man whose girdle this is, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place intreated him not to go up to Jerusalem. But Paul answered, What do ye mean, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And as he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after these days were expired, we packed up our things, and went to Jerusalem.

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return and visit our brethren in every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are. And Barnabas proposed to take with them John, who was surnamed Mark. But Paul did not think proper to take him with them, who left them in Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. read more.
And there was a sharp dispute, so that they separated from each other; and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus: but Paul chose Silas and departed, being recommended to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches. Then he came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold there was a certain disciple there, named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewess, but of a Grecian father. Who was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium: wherefore Paul was desirous that he should go forth with him, and took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they passed through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees that had been made by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. And so the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily. And when they had passed through Phrygia and Galatia, being forbidden by the holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, they came to Mysia, and endeavoured to go to Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. So they passed by Mysia, and came down to Troas. And Paul saw a vision in the night, There stood a certain man of Macedonia, intreating him and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to depart into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord called us to preach the gospel to them. Therefore we set sail from Troas, and came in a direct course to Samothracia, and the day following to Neapolis; and from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. And we staid some time in this city. And on the sabbath-day we went out of the city to a river-side, where there used to be prayer: and we sat down and preached to the women that resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a purple-seller of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things that were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized and her family, she requested us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and lodge there. And she constrained us. Now as we were going to the place of prayer, there met us a young woman that had a spirit of divination, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. She following Paul and us, cried out, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, who shew us the way of salvation. And this she did for many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that instant. And when her masters saw, that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the court to the magistrates. And when they brought them to the governors, they said, These men cause great disturbance in our city, for they are Jews, and teach customs, which it is not lawful for us to receive, nor practise, who are Romans. And the populace rose up together against them: and the officers stripped off their clothes, and ordered them to be scourged. And when they had given them many stripes, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely. Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Now in the middle of the night Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, and the prisoners heard them. And on a sudden there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bonds were loosed. The jailor waking, and seeing the prison-doors open, drew his sword and was going to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners were fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for lights, and sprang in, and being in a tremor fell down before Paul and Silas: and bringing them out, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thine house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all in his family. And he took them at that very time of the night, and bathed their stripes: and was baptized, he and all his immediately after. And he brought them into his house, and spread a table for them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his household. And when it was the day the governors sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. And the jailor told these words to Paul, saying, the governors have sent orders, that you should be discharged; now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said unto them, They have publicly beaten us, uncondemned, and Romans, and cast us into prison, and do they now turn us out privately? No verily, let them come themselves and fetch us out. And the serjeants reported these words to the governors: and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and intreated them, and when they had brought them out, they desired them to leave the city. And when they were come out of the prison, they went into the house of Lydia: and seeing the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to his custom Paul went in among them, and for three sabbath-days discoursed to them from the scriptures; opening them and shewing, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that this is the Christ even, Jesus, whom, said he, I preach unto you. And some of them believed and joined themselves to Paul and Silas, and a great number of the devout Greeks, and of the women of distinction not a few. But the unbelieving Jews being filled with envy, collected some loose profligate fellows, and making a tumult set all the city in an uproar: and assaulting Jason's house, they sought for them in order to bring them out to the populace. But not finding them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, these men that have turned the world upside down, are come hither also, and Jason has privately received them. And they all act contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying, there is another king, one Jesus. And they alarmed the people, and the rulers of the city upon hearing these things: but they taking security of Jason and the rest, let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who, when they were come thither, went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more ingenuous than those at Thessalonica; for they received the word with all readiness of mind, searching the scriptures daily, whether these things were so. And therefore many of them believed: and of the Grecian women of quality, and of men likewise not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came thither also, to stir up the people. Then the brethren immediately sent away Paul towards the sea: but Silas and Timothy remained there. And they that conducted Paul attended him to Athens: and receiving an order to Silas and Timothy, to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his Spirit was greatly moved, when he saw the city wholly given up to idolatry. He therefore disputed in the synagogue with the Jews and other devout persons on the sabbath-day, and with whomsoever he met in public every day. But some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him; and some said, What would this babler say? and others, He seemeth to be a proclaimer of foreign deities: because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, May we know what this new doctrine is, of which thou speakest? For thou bringest strange things to our ears; we would therefore know what these things mean. (Now all the Athenians, and strangers sojourning among them, spent their time in nothing else, but to tell or to hear something new.) Then Paul stood up in the midst of the Areopagus and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that you are indeed over-much religious: for as I was passing along, and looking at what ye worshipped, I found an altar on which there was inscribed, "To the unknown God." Whom therefore ye worship unknown, Him do I declare unto you. The God that made the world and all things therein, being lord of heaven and earth dwelleth not in temples made with hands: nor is He served by the hands of men, as needing any thing: for He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined the seasons before-appointed them, and the bounds of their habitation; that they might seek the Lord, if possibly they might trace Him, and find Him: though indeed He is not far from every one of us. For in Him we live and move, and exist; as some also of your own poets have said, "For we his offspring are." Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to imagine that the Deity is like to gold, or silver, or stone, carved by the art and device of man. Wherefore though God overlooked the times of this ignorance, He now requireth all men every where to repent. Because He hath fixed a day, in which He will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom He hath appointed thereto; having given assurance of it to all men, by raising Him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some laughed at it: and others said, We will hear thee again concerning this matter. So Paul went out of the assembly. Some however adhered to him, and believed: among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. After these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth. And finding there a certain Jew, named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who was lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, (because Claudius Cesar had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome,) he went to them; and as he was of the same trade, he staid and worked with them: for they were tent-makers. And he discoursed in the synagogue every sabbath-day, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was very urgent in spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But as they opposed and blasphemed, he shook his garment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clear of it: from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles. And departing thence, he went to the house of one named Justus, who worshipped God, whose house was contiguous to the synagogue. But Crispus the ruler of the synagogue believed on the Lord with all his house: and many of the Corinthians hearing the word believed, and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul by a vision in the night, "Fear not, but speak: and be not silent: for I am with thee, and no man shall lay hands on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city." And he staid a year and six months, teaching among them the word of God. But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose against Paul, and brought him to the seat of justice, saying, this fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was going to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were indeed an act of injustice, or some wicked crime, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you. But if it be a question about words, and names, and your law, settle it yourselves; for I will be no judge of these matters. And he ordered them away from the tribunal. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him even before the tribunal: but Gallio did not concern himself about the matter. And after Paul had staid there yet a considerable time, he took leave of the brethren, and sailed from thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, after he had shaved his head at Cenchrea; for he had a vow. And he came to Esphesus, and left them there: but before his departure he himself went into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. Though when they desired him to stay longer with them, he did not consent: but took his leave of them, saying, I must by all means keep the approaching feast at Jerusalem; but I will return to you again, God willing. So he sailed from Ephesus; and landing at Cesarea, went up to Jerusalem, and after he had saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.