Lesson 25:Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (1):From Antioch to Ephesus (18:23-19:41)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Some important facts about Paul’s Third Missionary Journey:1. From verse 18:23 thru 21:17

Approx. Dates: 53-57 A.D.2. Travel Companions:

Paul, Titus, Luke, Timothy, Erastus (and others, 20:4)3. Sent forth from the church in Antioch;

Three years in Ephesus; Ended in Jerusalem

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Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

B. Paul departed from Antioch and strengthened the disciples in Galatia & Phrygia (18:23).

C. Apollos came to minister in Ephesus but needed to be taught more accurately (18:24-28).1. Apollos was very educated (“eloquent”), talented

(“mighty”) and zealous (“fervent”).2. He had been taught “the way of the Lord” but was limited

in his knowledge (18:25).3. The baptism of John was, at one time, a valid doctrine &

practice (cf. Lk. 7:29-30; 20:4).

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A. One may be sincere in what he believes and practices but be sincerely wrong!1. Although very educated, skilled and zealous for God,

Apollos had to be corrected.2. The truly sincere will accept correction, use it, grow from it

and keep going.3. Zeal without knowledge misleads hearers & condemns

teachers (Rom. 10:2; Jas. 3:1).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Apollos came to minister in Ephesus but needed to be taught more accurately (18:24-28).4. Aquila & Priscilla corrected him, teaching “the way of God

more accurately” (18:26).5. Apollos went on to “greatly help” believers & “vigorously”

debate unbelievers (18:28).

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Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

D. Paul preached the gospel in Ephesus for three years, establishing a strong church (19:1-41).1. Ephesus was the capital of provincial Asia and was the

prominent city of Asia Minor.2. God had earlier prevented Paul from preaching in this

region (16:6).3. Paul preached to 12 misguided students, helping them be

properly converted (19:1-7).

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B. Baptism is only valid and effective when done properly and for the right purpose!1. We learn from Acts 18:24-19:7 that one cannot be taught

wrong and baptized right.2. If one’s baptism is not by God’s order for God’s purpose, it is

not God’s baptism.3. Having baptism “mostly right” is not the same as actually

“being right” with God.4. Baptism is part of the conversion process, by which one is

identified with Christ.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

D. Paul preached the gospel in Ephesus for three years, establishing a strong church (19:1-41).4. Paul’s labors in Ephesus are summarized in Acts 19:8-11.5. While Paul preached in Ephesus, the Lord was magnified &

many were saved (11-22).6. While Paul preached in Ephesus, a riot erupted against Paul

& the church (19:23-41).

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C. Christianity and the Lord’s church is “the Way” (singular) and there is no other!1. There is “the way of salvation” (16:17), “the way of the

Lord” (18:25) and “the way of God” (18:26), and there is no other! And no other even “like it”!

2. The Lord’s church was an exclusive, unified, identifiable force and called “the Way”!

3. The Lord does not have more than one way (cf. 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22; John 14:6)!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

A. We need to be willing to listen to reason and ensure we are believing and teaching truth!

B. We need to be willing to take misguided brethren aside and teach them more accurately!

C. We need to fine-tune our reasoning skills so that we can more effectively teach the truth!

D. As we learn of beliefs and practices that are sinful, we must readily abandon them!

E. We need to continue making plans about where and how the Lord can use us!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives