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RUSSELL SANDERS
7-30-2021
THE APOSTLE PAUL – LESSON 29
SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY – PART 15
A CHURCH PLANTED IN EPHESUS
Paul had spent a year and a half in the area of Corinth, a major seaport of Greece. Before leaving he spent some time at the smaller seaport of Cenchrea which was next to Corinth, and he established a church there. A woman named Phoebe was a strong leader in that church. (Romans 16:1.)
While in Cenchrea, Paul made a vow and sealed it as customary by shaving his head. We do not know the exact nature of the vow, but we do know that he was about to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to keep one of the high holy biblical feasts (Acts 18:21).
Upon leaving Greece, he took his team across the Aegean Sea to Asia and landed at Ephesus. He spent a short time at the synagogue in Ephesus reasoning scripture with the Jews. They wanted him to stay longer, but his mind was set on Jerusalem. A church was established at Ephesus, but Paul moved on and he left Aquila and Priscilla there to pastor the church.
Upon leaving Ephesus, Paul landed back in Caesarea and went on to Jerusalem for the feast. He communed with the church of Jerusalem, then left for his home base of Antioch in Syria to report on his journey. This is the church that had commissioned his missionary journeys.
After that, Paul went throughout the Roman provinces of Galatia and Phrygia visiting the churches and strengthening them in faith and doctrine. Presumably, Silas and Timothy were with him as Aquila and Priscilla had stayed in Ephesus to strengthen that new church.
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