The End of the Second Missionary Journey

TRANSCRIPT

Just to recap what we have learned in our previous message, the Roman deputy or governor, Galio, had ruled in favour of Paul because he knew that his judgment would be used as a precedent to ban Christianity not only in Corinth but throughout the entire Roman Empire. It was a serious judgment, and it had great implications. As a wise man and a political person, he did not want to be implicated. Therefore, he cleverly said that no crime was involved. It was simply a matter of semantics, an issue about words, names, and about the law of Judaism. Because of that, it was none of his business. So Paul was not prosecuted, and he was allowed to live in Corinth for a longer period of time. That was where we left last week.

Today we are going to learn from this passage, Acts 18:18-28, that deals with the end of Paul's second missionary journey. And we are going to learn from someone who is new in the book of Acts, a new co-labourer in the gospel work, and his name is Apollos.

I. The End of the Second Missionary Journey (v.18-23)

Firstly, let us see how the second missionary journey came to an end. Let us begin with verse 18: 'And Paul, after this tarrying, stayed yet a good while and then took his leave of the brethren and sailed hence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.'

After he had remained in Corinth for quite a while, he felt the time had come for him to leave the city. So he bade farewell to the brethren at Corinth, and he took along with him his two friends, Priscilla and Aquila. Most likely he was able to take his two friends along with him because by now the church at Corinth already had their own leaders, people like Justus, Crispus, and Sosthenes. We have learned about them in our previous message. Remember, Priscilla and Aquila were tentmakers, so they had to leave their business behind as they joined Paul in his remaining missionary journey. This tells us a lot about this couple and their commitment to the gospel work. To them, work was secondary. It was just a means to put bread and butter on the table while they did the gospel work. The Lord's work was primary.

When Paul arrived in Cenchrea, he had his hair shaved because of a vow he had taken. Most theologians believed that this was a Nazirite vow. It was a special commitment of separation and devotion to God. Most of the time, this vow was made in gratitude to God for His gracious blessings or deliverance. You can read about this vow in Numbers 6:2-5. Some would vow for a specific period of time, like one month, while for others, it would be a lifetime. You can read about people like Samson, the prophet Samuel, and John the Baptist. They all had taken the Nazirite vow, but they had taken them for life.

Since Paul became a Christian, he knew how meaningless and worthless his own human efforts in regards to rituals, traditions, good works, and all the other external observations of the law. He knew it was meaningless. Remember, he was the one who said in Philippians 3:4, 'Though I might have confidence in the flesh if any man had confidence, I even more. I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.' But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Later on, he said all these things were but dung, that I may win Christ.

So why did Paul make this vow? You see, Paul had a genuine love for God, and he was still very much influenced by his Jewish heritage. And when he wanted to show his gratitude to the Almighty God for His gracious blessings, His gracious protection during the difficult times in Corinth, the first thing that came into his mind was to do it the Jewish way.

Some people think it is wrong to take a vow. There's nothing wrong in making a vow. Do you realise that we all have taken vows throughout our lives as Christians? When we are baptized, we take a pledge that is similar to a vow. When we are married, we take wedding vows. When we serve the Lord, we vow that we will serve Him with all faithfulness. So from time to time, we all do take vows.

Those people who reject vows or oath-taking, they will quote verses like Matthew 5:34-37, where Jesus said, 'Swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.'

So they will say, 'See, Jesus said, do not swear, just simply say yes or no, do not take oaths.' We must understand the context, the background in which Jesus said those words. In those days, the religious leaders used to vow, but they were very hypocritical. They would emphasise the importance of using God's name to vow. Whenever the people did that, it was binding. But in the day-to-day conversation, if they wanted to exaggerate something or add more weight to what they were saying, they would swear by heaven, or by the earth, or by Jerusalem, or by their own heads. By doing that, it was not really binding, and they would not be held accountable as long as they did not swear by God's name.

It is very similar to the way people speak in our modern times. Some people would say, 'I swear upon my mother's grave' or 'I swear upon my family' or 'upon my own life.' Have you ever heard that? Why do they do that? Because they want to add more weight or add more truth to what they are saying. So Jesus' point was that your word alone should be binding. You should always speak the truth. If you speak the truth, you only need to simply say yes or no. Your word is already binding. You do not need to swear at all. In other words, you do not need to add more truth to what is already the truth.

So Jesus was not against oath-taking. He was not against taking vows. He was against untruthfulness. That passage was about being dishonest, untruthful. Therefore, Jesus says, 'Let your yes be yes.' Your words should be binding. My friends, it is good to make meaningful vows because they will remind us of the commitments we have made to the Almighty God. For example, from time to time, the FEBC lecturers would take Dean Bergens' oath regarding the preservation of scriptures, affirming that the Bible is perfect without mistakes. Why do they have to take that oath repeatedly? It is because there is always a temptation to compromise. So, it serves as a reminder that even if the whole world believes the Bible has mistakes, we must not succumb to that temptation.

Just like those of us who have taken wedding vows, we still wear our wedding rings. They act as a reminder of the vows we have made before God to remain faithful until death do us part. There will always be temptations, but we must not give in. Therefore, the Bible is not against vows or oath-takings. However, we have to make meaningful vows, and we have to take them very seriously because vows taken before the Almighty God must be kept.

Let's turn to our text, verse 19. Paul came to Ephesus and left Priscilla and Aquila there. He himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. Ephesus was the most important city in Asia Minor. Priscilla and Aquila remained in Ephesus for a few years and even started a church in their home. In 1 Corinthians 16:19, Paul mentions this church, saying, "The churches of Asia salute you, Aquila and salute Priscilla much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house." If that church in their house was the Ephesian church, it is amazing that the Ephesian church was started in their home. What a blessing!

To have it recorded in the Bible means that for generations to come, believers will read about this church that was started in the house of Priscilla and Aquila. Not everyone has the privilege to start a church in their home, but all of us can use our homes for the Lord's work. We can host missionaries or visiting Christians, or offer fellowship meetings like home care group meetings. God knows, as last Sunday Susanna asked me if there's any chance the overseas students will return to Melbourne. She's happy to use her home once again for city Bible study. In the months to come, we will be having several visitors, and I believe that Sister Geek Dr. Chilton will be hosting some of them. It is truly a blessing that we not only make ourselves available but also offer our resources for the Lord's work. God knows, just as He knew about Priscilla and Aquila, whatever is done in the Lord's name, He remembers always. He never forgets.

As usual, Paul looked for the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. He was well received by them to the extent that in verse 20, it says, "When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not." Certainly, they loved the faithful preaching of God's Word, and they wanted Paul to remain and continue to teach them. However, Paul could not do that because he wanted to keep the feast at Jerusalem, probably the Feast of Pentecost, as mentioned in verse 21. But he promised them that if it was God's will, he would return to Ephesus again. Verse 22, “And when he had landed at Caesarea and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.” Notice the phrase "gone up." That was a reference to Jerusalem because Jerusalem was situated 750 meters above sea level. So anyone who wanted to go to Jerusalem would use this phrase "going up," and when they leave Jerusalem, it would be "going down." So after Paul visited the church at Jerusalem, he went down and he went down to Antioch in Syria. He returned to Antioch. That was the sending church, remember? That was the church that sent him on his missionary journey. So this brings closure. He started off from Antioch, and then he went round, and then he returned back to Antioch. So this brings an official end to the second missionary journey. So when we start with verse 23, that will be the beginning of the third missionary journey. Okay, when he started off with Antioch, he returned back to enter. That ends the missionary journey.

II. The New Gospel Labourer: Apollos (v.24-28)

Look at verse 23. And after he has spent some time there in Antioch, he departed, which means that will be the start of the third missionary journey. And went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. From here, the writer of Acts turned his attention to a new individual, and his name was Apollos. So we're going to focus on this new gospel labourer, Apollos.

Look at verse 24. And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. There are several things we can learn about Apollos, and I hope that all of us will be able to take note of these few important things about Apollos so that you and I can also follow that godly example.

Firstly, he was mighty in the Scriptures. Alexandria was located in Egypt. It was a centre of scholarship and science. There was also a huge Jewish population. So Apollos, even though he was born outside Israel, nonetheless, he grew up in a Jewish environment. And like all the other Jewish boys, he would be taught the Old Testament from young. And the Bible tells us that he was an eloquent man, which means he was very articulate. He was a man of words, not just any words, but mighty in the Scriptures. Mighty means powerful. So his eloquence has to do with his power in the Scriptures. Today, there are many people who are very eloquent, and they can articulate very well, especially those who are politicians, right? Politicians are knowledgeable in politics, and at the same time, they are also able to speak well. Some of them. So they make very good politicians. Likewise, in the spiritual realm, as believers, all of us should be knowledgeable in God's Word. Some of us will be blessed by God with the spiritual gift to speak, and those people will make very good teachers and preachers. We need men and women like Apollos, able to speak eloquently, mighty in the Scriptures. So eloquence, not just in any words, but in the words of the Scriptures, able to articulate God's Word in a manner that people will be able to understand and apply into their lives.

Secondly, he was instructed in the way of the Lord. Verse 25: "This man Apollos was instructed in the way of the Lord." The way of the Lord was an Old Testament term which means being instructed in the things of God. For example, Genesis 18:19, God said of Abraham, "For I know him, that Abraham will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord." So, God said of Abraham that this man, I know him, he will teach his children and his servants so that all of them will keep my instructions, my commandments. In Judges chapter 2, verse 22, God said that he had given Israel judges to what purpose? That through them, I may prove Israel whether they will keep the way of the Lord, to walk therein as their fathers keep it or not.

So, God gave judges to the nation of Israel to test, to prove to them whether or not they are faithful to his instructions, to his commandments. So the way of the Lord refers to God's instructions and commandments, which he wanted his people to follow. We can all safely say that Apollos was a believer, a faithful believer who knew God's instructions and followed God's commandments.

So mighty in the Scriptures, eloquent men, and then also instructed in God's commandments and teachings. Thirdly, he was fervent in the spirit. Look at the second part of verse 25, "And being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John." Apollos was fervent in the spirit, and he preached diligently, but he had limited knowledge. He did not have a full understanding of the gospel. He only knew the baptism of John. If you remember, John the Baptist was preaching about repentance in the wilderness and baptizing the people in preparation for the Messiah's coming. So the baptism of John was about the Messiah's coming. In other words, Apollos accepted teaching about the Messiah. He even believed that Jesus was the Messiah. How do we know? John the Baptist had testified that Jesus was the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

So here was Apollos who knew about the Messiah. Jesus was the Messiah, even though he did not have a full understanding of the gospel. Nonetheless, he preached very fervently. Maybe he did not understand the full significance of Christ's resurrection and his second coming. However, with this limited knowledge, he was very fervent. He went about and preached Jesus Christ.

My friends, what does this teach us? The believer's fervency is not only when he has come to a full and complete understanding of the Bible. That day will never come as long as we are still alive. We will still be learning every day of our lives. The believer's fervency comes from his true, genuine faith. He cannot help but to share what he believes in his heart is true. When the believer believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, his knowledge is limited but his faith is genuine. He cannot help but to share Christ everywhere he goes, just like Apollos. So don't say, "Well, wait until I have a full and complete understanding of the Bible, then I will be fervently serving the Lord." That day will never come. Our fervency comes from our true, genuine faith.

Verse 26: "And he began to preach boldly in the synagogue. Whom, when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." So you can imagine the picture when Aquila and Priscilla heard him preaching, they would be thinking to themselves, "This man is truly called by God. This man truly has the gift of preaching, spiritual gifts." Although his message was accurate, he needed to be equipped with the knowledge of God's Word. So this couple took him under their wings. Most likely, they took him home. Remember, they started a church in their home, so the church would be the place where they would teach him. They would teach him with this full understanding of the truth about the Messiah. This is another thing we can learn about being fervent in the spirit.

Someone who is fervent in the spirit will be willing to learn. Think about Apollos. He came from Alexandria, a centre of scholarship and science. He was taught the Holy Scriptures from a young age. And here was this Jewish couple, just tentmakers, and yet he was willing to learn from them. That tells us a lot about Apollos too. Here's a willingness to learn, a godly humility. So to all of us here who are fervent in the spirit, we pray that God will humble us, that we also will be willing to learn.

Verse 27: "And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace." To be disposed means to purpose in his heart. So Apollos purposed in his heart to go to Achaia, most likely to Corinth because that was the capital of Achaia. So the brethren at Ephesus wrote to the brethren at Corinth to receive him, to welcome him. And when he arrived at Corinth, Apollos helped in the spiritual growth of those who had believed through grace. There will be a reference to the believers at Corinth. Ephesians 2, verse 8, says, "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." So these people who believed through grace were the believers at Corinth.

Apollos not only had great influence on the believers at Corinth but also on the unbelieving Jews. This brilliant, eloquent preacher was able to convince the Jews by the grace of God. So he went about preaching boldly, publicly opening up the Holy Scriptures, showing to the Jews that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah. Especially, it tells us, look at the last verse, verse 28: "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."

In fact, Apollos made such an impact in the Corinthian church, in the lives of the Corinthians, that later on there was division in the church. There were factions. They divided into different groups, which was not a good thing. It was because the Corinthians were looking to men rather than God. So in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, verse 4, some of the Corinthians said, "I belong to Paul," others said, "I belong to Apollos." And then Paul said, "Are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos? We are just ministers whom God has called to preach to you. I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."

Take note of what Paul said. "I planted, Apollos watered." Is it true? Yes, Paul was the one who established the Corinthian church, and Apollos was the one, according to this passage we have just considered (Acts 18), he went to Corinth and he taught the Corinthians. That was the reason why Paul said what he said. See, the Bible is so amazing. Two different authors, Luke was the one who wrote the book of Acts, Paul was the one who wrote the book of 1 Corinthians, but they are all in line. Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered, God is the one who flourished the church."

My friends, this was only possible because this man was mighty in the Scriptures, he was instructed in the way of the Lord, and he was also fervent in the spirit. If we have these three essential things in our lives: mighty in the Scriptures, instructions that comes from the Scriptures (we are instructed in the way of the Lord), and we are also fervent in the spirit. Whether we are church leaders or church members or Sunday school teachers or parents, we will, by the grace of God, make an impact in the lives of the people. Just like Apollos, he has such a great impact on the lives of the Corinthians, including the unbelieving Jews. So we'll stop here for tonight's message, and we pray that we will apply all these lessons into our lives. Let us pray.

Father in heaven, we thank thee for thy precious word. We thank thee how that has enabled us to consider this portion of Scriptures. And as we study through the book of Acts, indeed, there are so many wonderful lessons, spiritual lessons that we can draw and apply into our lives. Help us not just to read them for knowledge sake, but most importantly for heart knowledge and life applications. May the Holy Spirit empower us, that we will apply thy truth into our lives, that we will be like Apollos—mighty in the scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, and fervent in the spirit. We give Thee thanks and we pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.

SERMON OUTLINE

• I. The End of the Second Missionary Journey (v.18-23)
• II. The New Gospel Labourer: Apollos (v.24-28)

THE BOOK OF ACTS

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #3: The Church and the Sacraments

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #3: The Church and the Sacraments

Acts 2:41-47

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #2: The Church and Fellowship

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #2: The Church and Fellowship

Acts 2:42

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #4: The Church and the Prayers

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #4: The Church and the Prayers

Acts 2:42

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #1: The Church and The World

30th Anniversary Seminar - Message #1: The Church and The World

Acts 2:42

Always Ready to Defend the Faith

Always Ready to Defend the Faith

Acts 6:8-15

The First Christian

The First Christian

Acts 11:19-26

Low Expectations

Low Expectations

Acts 12:1-19

Message 5: The Church & Discipleship

Message 5: The Church & Discipleship

Acts 14:20-28

God Encouraged His Servant

God Encouraged His Servant

Acts 18:9-17

The End of the Second Missionary Journey

The End of the Second Missionary Journey

Acts 18:18-28

The Beginning of the Third Missionary Journey

The Beginning of the Third Missionary Journey

Acts 19:1-7

The Riot at Ephesus

The Riot at Ephesus

Acts 19:21-41

The Characteristics of a Faithful Servant

The Characteristics of a Faithful Servant

Acts 20:1-6

The Lord's Day Worship Service

The Lord's Day Worship Service

Acts 20:7-16

The Characteristics of the Faithful Servant (Part 1)

The Characteristics of the Faithful Servant (Part 1)

Acts 20:17-19

The Characteristics of the Faithful Servant (Part 2)

The Characteristics of the Faithful Servant (Part 2)

Acts 20:20-24

A Charge to Keep (Part 1)

A Charge to Keep (Part 1)

Acts 20:25-28

The Believer's Conviction (Part 1)

The Believer's Conviction (Part 1)

Acts 21:1-6

The Believer’s Conviction (Part 2)

The Believer’s Conviction (Part 2)

Acts 21:7-16

Paul’s Arrival At Jerusalem

Paul’s Arrival At Jerusalem

Acts 21:17-26

Paul's Arrest at Jerusalem

Paul's Arrest at Jerusalem

Acts 21:27-39

Paul's Response to His Arrest

Paul's Response to His Arrest

Acts 21:40-22:21

The People’s Response to Paul

The People’s Response to Paul

Acts 22:22-30

Paul Stood Before the Sanhedrin

Paul Stood Before the Sanhedrin

Acts 23:1-11

God's Miraculous Deliverance (Part 1)

God's Miraculous Deliverance (Part 1)

Acts 23:12-17

God’s Miraculous Deliverance (Part 2)

God’s Miraculous Deliverance (Part 2)

Acts 23:18-35

The Accusers before the Roman Governor Felix

The Accusers before the Roman Governor Felix

Acts 24:1-9

Paul’s Defence Before Felix

Paul’s Defence Before Felix

Acts 24:10-21

Felix's Response to Paul's Defence

Felix's Response to Paul's Defence

Acts 24:22-27

Paul’s Defence Before Festus

Paul’s Defence Before Festus

Acts 25:1-12

Paul Stood Before King Agrippa (Part 1)

Paul Stood Before King Agrippa (Part 1)

Acts 25:13-27

Paul Stood Before King Agrippa (Part 2)

Paul Stood Before King Agrippa (Part 2)

Acts 26:1-18

Paul Stood Before King Agrippa (Part 3)

Paul Stood Before King Agrippa (Part 3)

Acts 26:19-32

A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed

A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed

Acts 27:1-12

What Can Trials Do To Us?

What Can Trials Do To Us?

Acts 27:13-26

The Prophecy Came to Pass

The Prophecy Came to Pass

Acts 27:27-44

Paul's Arrival at Rome

Paul's Arrival at Rome

Acts 28:1-16

The Story Did Not End Here

The Story Did Not End Here

Acts 28:17-31