After Timothy had departed for Macedonia, the revival in Ephesus brought about an uproar among the leaders of idol worship in the city.

The main idol "god" in Ephesus was the goddess Diana. The temple to Diana was one of the seven wonders of the world in that day. It was 425 feet by 220 feet with 127 marble columns in the front. It was situated upon a hill overlooking the city and gave Ephesus it's identity. Inside were many beautiful statues and idols and it was revered as a sacred place of worship by the pagans. The silversmiths of the area, made detailed silver miniatures of the temple and sold them to travelers who visited Ephesus so that they could worship Diana at home. This very lucrative business was being hurt by the preaching and teaching of Paul and the growing church in Ephesus.

One silversmith, named Demetrius, called together the other silversmiths and began to speak against Paul, blaming their declining sales on Paul's preaching that a man-made god was not a god at all! Notice that his words were "this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people." Paul's preaching was winning many idolatrous Ephesians to Jesus!

The issue was not really that the men were such devoted worshippers of Diana, but that their money-making venture was being hurt. How often even today, men hide their greed behind religiosity! These men had not cared about Paul's preaching until it hurt their business!

These silversmiths provoked a mini "riot" and grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus who were ministers who were with Paul and pulled them into a theatre for a public trial. The disciples and even some friends among the city leaders urged Paul not to go into the dangerous mob.

Many of the crowd did not even realize what was going on but were just caught up in the moment of madness. The Jewish leaders decided that they did not want the Ephesians to confuse their religion with the Christians and grabbed an eloquent speaker named Alexander and placed him before the crowd of people. Alexander was trying to show the Grecians that they did not support this "Jesus Christ" stuff. Alexander had been one of the chief opponents to Paul's work in Ephesus (see I Timothy 1:20 and II Timothy 4:14).

The crowd of Ephesians refused to listen to Alexander once they realized that he was a Jew, and in their mob-like passion spent the next two hours crying out "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." What a tumult had been caused by one greedy silversmith!

The Grecian mayor of Ephesus finally quieted the people down until they would listen to him speak. He pointed out that everybody knew that the Ephesians worshipped Diana and that it was impossible to ignore. The term "fell down from Jupiter" refers to the Grecian belief that the original statue of Diana in the temple had fallen from the "head god" Jupiter in ancient times.

The mayor also pointed out that the Christians had done nothing unlawful or worthy of prosecution. If Demetrius and the silversmiths wanted to press criminal charges, then the courts were open and ready.

The mayor pointed out that if there were to be any criminal charges, it would need to be properly brought before a court according to the law and in fact the "mob" assembly in the theatre was unlawful and the Ephesians would have to explain what had happened. Reason having gotten the upper hand, the crowd was dismissed and began to return home.

After the uproar was over, Paul decided that it was time for him to continue west into Macedonia and visit the churches there.

Paul visited once again the churches that he had established on his second missionary journey, traveling into Macedonia to the cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea before traveling to Athens. We do not know many details about this time spent in Macedonia but we do know that Paul endured many trials and persecutions:

Titus came to Paul from Corinth with positive news from the church! They had responded to Paul's letter and Timothy's ministry. While in Macedonia, Paul decided to write another letter to the church in Corinth and send it back with Titus (II Corinthians 8:16-17). This letter in our New Testament is called the book of II Corinthians. Here is an overview of the book of II Corinthians:

1. Paul explains his change of plans in his missionary travels (II Corinthians chapter 1).

2. Paul explains his philosophy of ministry and describes his many victories and trials (II Corinthians 2- 7)

3. Paul praises the Macedonian churches for their generosity in participating in the offering for the churches in Judea and urges the Corinth church to give generously (II Corinthians 8-9).

4. Paul defends himself against accusations from his enemies that he is a coward, fleshly minded, and personally weak (II Corinthians 10).

5. Paul defends his Apostleship, ministry, and calling to the Gentiles (II Corinthians 11-12).

6. Paul asks the church to prepare themselves for his third visit to Corinth (II Corinthians 13).

Paul then traveled into Greece and spent three months in Athens and Corinth, teaching and encouraging those churches. There is no scriptural record of the specific events of these months but undoubtedly Paul continued addressing the issues mentioned in I and II Corinthians.

While he was in Corinth, Paul's thoughts were focused upon Rome and the possibility of visiting there. Paul decided to write a letter to the churches in Rome and inform them of his desire to visit them. This letter is called the book of Romans and is one of the grandest theological works ever written. It was written to mature Christians who had been serving God for quite some time. Here is a brief overview of the book of Romans:

1. All men, both Jews and Gentiles, are sinners and in need of God's Righteousness (Romans chapters 1-3).

2. Paul describes God's righteousness and contrasts it with sin's condemnation (Romans 3- 5).

3. Paul describes how God's righteousness works in our life and how it corresponds with sin, the Mosaic law, and the Spirit of God (Romans 6-8).

4. Paul describes the role of Israel in the past plan of God (Romans 9).

5. Paul describes the role of Israel in the present plan of God (Romans 10).

6. Paul describes the role of Israel in the future plan of God (Romans 11).

7. Paul teaches how that the righteousness of God is demonstrated in a Christians actions toward God, society, government, and neighbors (Romans 12-13).

8. Paul teaches the proper attitude of righteousness in Christian living and liberties (Romans 14-15).

9. Paul discusses his future plans for missionary trips and his desire to visit Rome (Romans 15-16).

At this time there were many churches already established in Rome including one in the home of Priscilla and Aquilla who had moved back there (Romans 16:3-5) and another in the home of relatives of Paul, Adronicus and Junia, who had been a part of the Apostolic Church longer than Paul himself (Romans 16:7)! In fact in Romans chapter 16, Paul sends personal greetings to over 27 people in the churches of Rome. The church in Rome had been established by converts from Asia moving there and beginning works for God and it is no wonder that Paul desired to visit Rome so badly.

After the three months spent in the Grecian cities of Athens and Corinth, Paul decided to travel back to Jerusalem and deliver the offering to the churches there. Paul originally desired to travel by ship directly back to Antioch but when he learned that the Jewish leaders were watching the sea ports to arrest him, Paul decided to return back through Macedonia on land.

Paul traveled back through Berea, Thessalonica, and Philippi, and then many ministers joined him in Troas. Sopater is also referred to as Sosipater (Romans 16:21) and was a Jewish Christian. Aristarchus and Secundus were from Thessalonica. Aristarchus later traveled to Rome with Paul and was also cast into prison with him. Of Secundus, we know nothing more. This man was one of those personally won to God by Paul in his first visit to Corinth (I Corinthians 1:14) and also in whose house Paul lodged while there (Romans 16:23). Forty-six years later the Apostle John would write a letter to Gaius which is the book of III John in our New Testament. We have already discussed Timothy at great length (see Dispensation bible study #32). Tychicus and Trophimus were from Ephesus and Tychicus would become one of the closest friends that Paul had. Trophimus accompanied on several portions of his missionary journeys. Also notice the change in verse 5 from "they" to "us." The writer, Luke, also joined the journey in Troas.

Paul, Luke, and probably Sopater traveled together from Philippi to Troas and met the group mentioned above. They stayed in Troas for one week.

The night before they departed from Troas, Paul called all of the believers together and began to preach to them. Knowing that this might be his last time to preach to some of these Christians, Paul spoke until midnight!

They were gathered together in an "upper room" of a three story house much like the day of Pentecost and there was a young man named Eutychus who sat in the window ledge listening to Paul's long sermon. After a while Eutychus fell asleep during the message and fell from the window three stories to his death!

Paul paused his preaching long enough to go down to the body of the young man, raised him back to life, and then continued his preaching until the morning came! After they had taken communion, they departed for the ship.

Eutychus was one of the ones who went to see the missionary group off at the dock! For some reason Paul decided to walk to Assos while the other men sailed there. It was a faster journey to walk than to sail from Troas to Assos and the scripture do not tell us why the others sailed. Perhaps one of them was sick or older and unable to complete the journey on foot.

Paul did join the ship at Assos and the group sailed south to Mitylene and then on to the island of Samos. After staying a few days in the city of Trogyllium, the missionary group sailed to Miletus which was a port city south of Ephesus.

Paul had bypassed Ephesus on purpose for the sake of time. He wanted to be in Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. Travel in those days was much slower than it is today and a ship was more likely to be delayed than to be on time. It is very probable that Paul was believing that God would do a mighty work at the feast among the Jewish people from all over the world that would be traveling there for the festival.

From Miletus, Paul sent word for the ministers of Ephesus to come and meet with him. When they came, he began to exhort them and remind them of the three years that he had spent there and all of his teachings.

Paul had taught the Ephesians thoroughly while there and had also endured many trials in Ephesus.

Notice that Paul said that he is "bound in the spirit" to go to Jerusalem. Paul was returning to Judea because he felt like that the Spirit of God was directing him to go.

Paul was not sure what would happen in Jerusalem but seemed to know that something was going to happen. Despite having a foreboding about what was to come, Paul still trusted God completely!

God had revealed to Paul that this would be the last time that the church in Ephesus would ever see him! Paul had thus called for the leaders of the church so that he could bid them farewell and give them one last final charge!

Paul began to prophesy that false teachers would arise and begin to teach damnable doctrines and philosophies. He exhorted the ministers and pastors of Ephesus to guard the saints and protect them from these false teachings. Even today, the role of the pastor and the minister is to guard against false doctrines that will sow lies and confusion in the saints. From the garden of Eden until now, the devil has always worked through deceit and subtle variances from the true Word of God. That is why study of scripture is so important to make sure exactly what God has said!

Paul even prophesied that there would be men in the church that would begin to teach false doctrines in order to draw men to them. We cannot base our doctrine on men's reputations or even spiritual experiences; all things must be founded in the complete, unadulterated Word of God! Verse 31 gives us some insight to what Paul was doing for the three years at Ephesus besides teaching in the Bible school: he had warned them of the dangers of false teaching and doctrines! Even today, false teaching is probably the most serious threat to the Apostolic church!

Paul realized that after all of his teaching he had to now leave the churches in the hands of God. Paul reminded the ministers that he had not asked for financial gain from them and had given everything to help them and establish them.

Paul had done this as an example to the ministers of Ephesus that they might be willing to give of their lives and abilities freely for the edification of the saints. After Paul had completed his charge and warning, he knelt and prayed together with the ministers of Ephesus.

Realizing that this would be the last time that they would ever see him, the elders of Ephesus were quite emotional when they said goodbye. History teaches us that later false doctrines did begin to creep into the church. Of all the Gentile churches, though, the churches in Ephesus held to the Apostolic doctrine the longest. This was in part to the influence of Timothy in later becoming a pastor of the church and the Apostle John choosing to make his home there. The main reason, though, that the church in Ephesus held to the true doctrines of Christ was because of a group of determined leaders who were forever impacted by the warning and charge given here in Paul's farewell speech.

Paul and his missionary companions sailed through various islands and then continued on east to the city of Patara. There they found a direct ship to Tyre which was just outside of Galilee and sailed back to Judea.

Paul's third missionary journey was an important time in the Early Church's history for many reasons. First, Paul was able to revisit and further strengthen the churches that were now well established in Asia and Greece. Second, the mighty speaker Apollos was converted and brought into the churches. Third, Paul was able to establish a strong church in the important city of Ephesus which would become the center for world evangelism in the next generation. Fourth, Paul realized the power in writing letters to churches and began to write more profusely. The book of I Corinthians contains many doctrines and teachings that are not explained anywhere else in scripture. The book of Romans presents basic theological concepts such as sinful nature, walking after the Spirit, justification, Christ's work at Calvary, and Israel's role in the plan of God more clearly than any other New Testament book. Fifth, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written at this time. Sixth, Paul's overwhelming desire to visit Rome and other countries became the driving force of his ministry during this time. As this missionary journey ends, the churches in Asia and Greece or the center of revival in the Christian world and are actually financially supporting the original churches in Jerusalem and Judea!