............................Ephesus Centre of Evangelisation.........................

 

Paul Lengthy stay in the city of Ephesus , an important cultural centre in Asia Minor, had a strategic role: it permited the spread of the Gospel in the surrounding regions.

The Letter to the community, probably written by a disciple of Paul, recalls the Apostle's preaching: "Do not forget, I say, that you had no Christ and were excluded from membership of Israel, aliens with no part in the covenants with their promise, you were immersed in this world, without hope and without God. But now in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ.

For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility"(Eph 2:12-14)

The itinerary of the third journey was partially the same itinerary as that of the second.

Paul visited the communities of galatia and phrygia. which he had founded during his preceding journeys.

He stayed for over two years in Ephesus, the capital city of the Roman province of Asia.

He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God.

He did this for three months, tillthe atitude of some of the congregation hardened into unbelief.

As soon as they began attacking the way in front of the others, he broke with them and took his disciples apart to hold daily discussions in the lecture room of Tyrannus.

This went on for two years with the result that people from all over Asia, both Jews and Greeks, were able to hear the word of the Lord (Acts19:8-10)

 

.......................Miletus Paul's Testament.....................

 

The long and passionate farewell speech that Paul gave to the Christians of Ephesus is in fact a retrospective look at Paul's mission in Asia Minor, marked by his untiring preaching to both Jews and pagans.

The speech also sort of testament: "And so here and how I swear that my conscience is clear as far as all of you are concerned"(Acts20:26).

It is also a warning regarding the dangers the Churches would have to face in the future: "I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock.

Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them"(Acts 20:29-30)

It also contains a spiritual exhortation: "I did this to show you that this is how we must exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said: "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving"(Acts 20:35)

 

Im Milletus, Paul gathered the elders of the Church of Ephesus, and gave them his last recommendations, knowing that they would never see him again.

I have not hesitated to do anything that would be helpful to you,

I have preached to you, and instructed you both in public and your homes,

urging both Jews and Greeks to turn to God and to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:20-21)

 

........................Caesarea- "I am ready to die for the Lord Jesus"......................

 

Paul was shown his future through phetic words and actions.

The prophecy was soon to be fulfilled. For Paul Jerusalem was to be the point of departure for a new and special missionary journey.

His preceding journeys of evangelisation had begun and ended in the city of Antioch. His journey of withness was to begin and end in the Holy City the capital city of the Empire.

The Apostle's journey was once again to unfold under the influence of the Spirit (Acts 13:2, 16:6)

Sailing along the coast of the aegan sea, Paul reached macedonia and Achaia.

He visited philippi and corinth and returned by sea to caesarea, where he received the first announcment of his martydom.

When we had been in Caesarea several days a prophet called Agabus arrived from Judaea to see us. He took Paul girdle and tied up his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says, "The man this girdle belongs to will be bound like this by the Jews in Jerusalem, and handed over to the pagans"(Acts 21:10-11)