Atos 18

Atos 18

Chart from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission THE EXPANDING WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT-EMPOWERED CHURCH Considering the fact that Acts 13 is such a strategic chapter in regard to world evangelism, take a moment and study Irving Jensen's chart at top of the page (click it to enlarge it which is what I have to do at age 72!). Notice the bold vertical line (|) at the end of Acts 12 and beginning of Acts 13 which Jensen estimates to be about year 47 (it could be a short time prior). Note the horizontal description of "Church" - Church Established in the first 13 years from Acts 1 through Acts 7, then the Church Scattered between Acts 8 through Acts 12, which occurred over a period of about 14 years (and remember all dates and times are at best approximations because Luke gives only a few events that allow us to give specific dates, such as the death of Herod in A D 44 in Acts 12:23) and lastly, beginning in Acts 13 (and until the end of this age), the Church Extended, this extension being the primarily the fruit of Paul's Three Missionary Journeys which"upset the world!" (Acts 17:6) Now, you have a good grasp of the chronological context of Acts 13. And as they say in the restaurant when your delicious meal is served "Enjoy!" The three missionary journeys are summarized below (this note will be repeated in subsequent chapters). Click links for the maps of each journey. Paul's First Missionary Journey Acts 13:4-14:28 Paul's Second Missionary Journey Acts 15:36-18:22 Paul's Third Missionary Journey Acts 18:23-21:26 Maps in table above are from the Holman Bible Atlas (Hardcover/Paperback version) copyrighted © 1998 B&H Publishing Group, used by permission, all rights reserved. This is one of the best resources for Bible maps as the maps also include helpful short descriptions of the events portrayed on the maps. Please do not download for use on another website. Thank you. Here is a map with all three journeys on one map. THE ITINERARY OF PAUL'S THREE MISSIONARY JOURNEYS FIRST SECOND THIRD Phrygia/Galatia Acts 16:6 Phrygia/Galatia Acts 18:23-28 Charles Swindoll points out that "When we study the journeys of Paul in the book of Acts, we’re not just reading the travel log of a man; we’re observing the redemptive plan of God unfolding as He promised. Through the ministry of Saul of Tarsus, God’s mission to reclaim His creation from the death grip of evil would move to its next stage. The plan of this mission was outlined in the Lord’s promise at His ascension, where He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses... In Jerusalem [Stage 1: Acts 2–7], and in all Judea and Samaria [Stage 2: Acts 8–12], and even to the remotest part of the earth [Stage 3: Acts 13–‍28].” (Acts 1:8+) (Insights on Acts) John Hannah's Outline for Second Missionary Journey The second missionary journey of Paul (Acts 15:36-18:22) The preparation for the ministry (Acts 15:36-16:5) The conflict between Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:36-40) The confirmation of the churches (Acts 15:41-16:5) The ministry in Macedonia (Acts 16:6-17:15) The call from Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10) Arrival at Samothrace and Neapolis (Acts 16:11) Ministry at Philippi (Acts 16:12-40) The conversion of Lydia (Acts 16:12-15) The demon possessed slave girl (Acts 16:16-18) The imprisonment of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:19-25) The release of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26-27) The conversion of the jailor (Acts 16:28-34) The departure from the city (Acts 16:35-40) The ministry in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9) The message (Acts 17:1-3) The response of belief (Acts 17:4) The response of unbelief (Acts 17:5-9) The ministry in Berea (Acts 17:10-15) The ministry (Acts 17:11-12) The departure (Acts 17:13-15) The ministry in Achaia (Acts 17:16-18:17) The ministry in Athens (Acts 17:16-34) His message in Athens (Acts 17:16-30) The response in Athens (Acts 17:31-34) The ministry in Corinth (Acts 18:1-17) Arrival in Corinth (Acts 18:1-4) His ministry to the Corinthians (Acts 18:5-11) The trial before Gallio (Acts 18:12-17) The ministry on the return to Antioch (Acts 18:18-22) In Cenchrea (Acts 18:18) In Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21) In Antioch (Acts 18:22) Hannah's Bible Outlines - Recommended Resource Stage 1: Tent Making (Acts 18:1-4) Paul’s coworkers (Acts 18:1-3) Paul’s work ethic (Acts 18:3-4) Stage 2: Full-Time Ministry (Acts 18:5-8) Support (Acts 18:5) Opposition (Acts 18:6) Fruitfulness (Acts 18:7-8) Stage 3: Weakness and Fear (Acts 18:9-10) The Lord’s Gentle Rebuke (Acts 18:9a) The Lord’s Strong Mandate (Acts 18:9b) The Lord’s Sovereign Promises (Acts 18:10) Stage 4: Long-Term Discipleship (Acts 18:11-17) Paul Returns to Antioch (Acts 18:18-22) (Exalting Jesus in Acts) Acts 18:1 After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. KJV Acts 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; went to Corinth Acts 17:32,33 Corinth 19:1; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:1,23; 2 Timothy 4:20 Acts 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Click to enlarge - from the Holman Bible Atlas (digital book; Hardcover) copyright © 1998 B&H Publishing Group, used by permission, all rights reserved. This is one of the best resources for Bible maps. Please do not reproduce this map on any other webpage. Thank you. PAUL ARRIVES AT SIN CITY After these things - This is a time phrase and should always provoke the question "What time?" or in this case "After what things?" While this genre of question is not "rocket science," it will force you to review the context and thus helps solidify the passages in your mind (never a bad thing!) Here the time is after Paul's ministry in Athens, including his message (Acts 17:16-30) and the response in Athens (Acts 17:31-34). And just to convince you how important observation of time phrases can be this same phrase, after these things, occurs some 19 times in the NT, and most are in the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:19; Rev. 4:1; Rev. 7:9; Rev. 9:12; Rev. 15:5; Rev. 18:1; Rev. 19:1; Rev. 20:3) where this phrase serves as an important "key" which helps unlock John's great prophecy of the end-times (assuming you approach the text literally). Jack Andrews comments that "Sometimes preachers, pastors, evangelists, and missionaries may not be run out of a place, but because of the obstinate, indifferent, or rebellious response to the man of God and the message of God that place and those people push away the servants of God. That is what happened to Paul in Athens—he was ready to move on." (Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts ) R Kent