Notes on Acts 16-21 "The Lord Had Called Us for to Preach the Gospel", CFM study for July 22-28

Starting with chapter 16, Acts almost exclusively tells us about Paul's experiences and leaves out the other apostles.  Pairing that fact with the appearance of the term "we" on and off through the rest of the book gives pretty good evidence that Luke was a missionary companion to Paul.  I wonder if Luke realized when he wrote that his account would form basically the only narrative accounts after the gospels that we'd have easy access to centuries later.  I assume that he thought that there would be many other records made and kept so he was more focused on the part of history that he saw and experienced.  In these chapters we cover the second and third missionary journey of Paul and his final journey to Jerusalem.

Timothy Travels with Paul on Paul's Second Mission, Acts 16:1-5

• Even though they just had the Jerusalem conference that decided that Gentiles wouldn't need to be circumcised, and part of Paul's mission is to take the decree of the counsel around, Paul takes Timothy and has him circumcised.  This was because though Gentiles were not to be required to be circumcised, Jews still lived by that law.  Timothy's father was Greek but his mother was Jewish, so it would have been a stumbling block to some that Timothy wasn't circumcised.  It's interesting to contemplate why Timothy's mother didn't have it done when he was an infant.  Later, Paul praises Timothy's faith, "which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice," (2 Timothy 1:5) and it also says that Timothy has known the holy scriptures "from a child." (2 Timothy 3:15).  It seems odd that Timothy would know the scriptures from his boyhood if his mother wasn't a practicing Jew.  Perhaps his father opposed the circumcision but allowed the teaching of scripture?  Or maybe his grandmother taught him?
• From Paul's letters, we get a sense of the reasoning behind circumcising Timothy.  Paul makes the point in Romans 14:13-15 that if your behavior is a stumbling block to others, it's better to refrain from something even if if isn't against the commandments (in this case, eating meat that was sacrificed to idols):  "judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died."
• There are many things we do today that are cultural not doctrinal.  In recent years, especially online, it is very common to see lots of criticisms of "Mormon culture" and sometimes the criticisms are valid.  But it is also inescapable that there is cultural meanings in ordinary, everyday things -- how we greet each other, what we wear, what topics are okay to talk about in what settings, etc., are subject to our culture and context.  Just because something is "culture" doesn't mean it should be easily discarded.  If best dress in your society means a white shirt and a tie for young men, then that is a good thing to wear to pass the sacrament.  I may prefer a handshake as a greeting, but if I go to a culture that uses a kiss on the cheek, I will adopt that as my greeting, lest I be considered rude.  To use a more controversial example, I personally think that there is nothing wrong with not covering up when nursing.  However, there are many in older generations and in our society who see this as a modesty issue.  I think it's a matter of politeness that I cover up in their presence.  I know some feel like this is a cultural norm that needs to be fought against, but I think it's important to consider other people's feelings in the way you approach this.  I have good friends who feel differently, and there are cultures with very different approaches to public nursing.
• I think sometimes we can look beyond the mark in fighting against what is culture and what is doctrine.  If there's not a gospel reason to reject a certain cultural practice, then maybe we should focus more time on fighting the cultural practices that ARE against the gospel.  
• That said, there is definitely good reasons to examine our culture and be willing to change, too.  It's a balance!
• In any case, poor Timothy was willing to endure this huge sacrifice in order to be a more effective missionary.  

Paul's Vision of the Man from Macedonia, Acts 16:6-10

• Twice in these verses, Paul starts to go somewhere and is told not to by the Spirit.  First, they "were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia," (verse 6) and then when they start to go to Bithynia, the Spirit tells them no.  So they go to Troas.  Why didn't God just tell them before they started along those paths to go somewhere else?  Perhaps because God often leaves decisions up to us and only intervenes when we go down the wrong path.  As Elder Richard G. Scott has said, "What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. As you are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, one of two things will certainly occur at the appropriate time: either the stupor of thought will come, indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision." 
• A great video about how prayers can sometimes be answered differently than we expect is this one with an experience shared by Elder Holland:

• It seems that Paul was likely left to his best judgment on how to carry out the details of his assignment, except when intervention was needed.  Such was the experience of the vision of the man from Macedonia saying "come over into Macedonia and help us."  Paul had gone as far as the seacoast and finally, after following the impressions not to go to two places, God shows him where he should go.   
• Verse 10 begins periodic references to "we."  It seems that Luke joins Paul in Troas.  The student manual suggests that "perhaps one reason why Paul and Silas were led by the Spirit to Troas was so that Luke might join them."

Lydia's Conversion, Acts 16:11-15

• The first European convert mentioned by name is a woman of means named Lydia.  Luke includes so many women and makes it clear they were a significant part of the Church, offering hospitality, conversion, and even traveling and preaching.  The dye to make the purple that Lydia sold was gotten from shellfish that lived on the seacoast there.
• It's likely that there wasn't a synagogue in this city, so Paul went to the riverside where prayers were made, which probably meant it was a gathering place for the small population of Jews in the city.  It's interesting that he found only females there on the sabbath day.  But Paul didn't wait until there were men present too and seems to have no reason to balk at teaching women.  Women seem to be as valued as men to Christ and His followers.  
• After her baptism, she generously invites the missionaries into her home and hospitality.  Joseph Smith has said, "A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race." Lydia blessed others in the spirit of this generosity.  She didn't withdraw it even when persecution began.  After Paul and Silas were released from prison, they went back to Lydia's house to meet the brethren there.  My family and daughter have been blessed by the hospitality of many in Brazil who are so generous to her, no matter how humble their circumstances.  She has lunch every day with various sisters from the wards she serves in.  And lunch is provided with the love the Brazilians are known for.  We can't all be Lydia, but we can all serve from the means we have the people God places in our path.  

Evil Spirit in a Damsel is Rebuked, Acts 16:16-18

• The woman follows Paul and his companions so long that he finally decides he needs to do something about it and casts the devil out. Wayment says that "her ability to divine and tell fortunes is connected to pagan worship practices.  The Greek says literally that she had the spirit of Python, the snake god associated with Delphi."
• Bruce R. McConkie says “The testimony of the devil-led damsel was true. Paul and Silas were prophets; they had the words and power of salvation. But true testimony from Satan’s servants does not lead to salvation. In effect the damsel was saying: ‘Go ahead and believe in Paul and Silas and this Jesus whom they preach. I agree they and their Master are of God; and since we are now united on that point, you can also continue to follow me and enjoy the fruits of my divination.’ And how many other practitioners of false religions there are who give lip service to Jesus and his doctrines so that people will the more readily follow them and their special brand of ‘saving’ grace. It was for the very reason here involved that Jesus himself forbade the devils whom he cast out to testify that he was the Son of God (Luke 4:41.). (quoted in the student manual).
• I can think of other examples of people who have had a portion of the truth but then tried to use it for their own gain.  Some "prosperity gospel" types come to mind, as do those who use church affiliation to perpetrate fraud or shady business schemes.  Elder Ballard has said, "There are no shortcuts to financial security. There are no get-rich-quick schemes that work. Perhaps none need the principle of balance in their lives more than those who are driven toward accumulating “things” in this world.
  
  Do not trust your money to others without a thorough evaluation of any proposed investment. Our people have lost far too much money by trusting their assets to others. In my judgment, we never will have balance in our lives unless our finances are securely under control."
• As long as Satan is at work on the earth, there are going to be people who say some of the right things for wrong purposes.  More recently, Elder Ballard has warned, "Today I repeat earlier counsel from Church leaders.
  
  * Brothers and sisters, keep the doctrine of Christ pure and never be deceived by those who tamper with the doctrine. The gospel of the Father and the Son was restored through Joseph Smith, the prophet for this last dispensation.
  
  * Do not listen to those who have not been ordained and/or set apart to their Church calling and are not acknowledged by common consent of the members of the Church.10
  
  * Be aware of organizations, groups, or individuals claiming secret answers to doctrinal questions that they say today’s apostles and prophets do not have or understand.
  
  * Do not listen to those who entice you with get-rich schemes. Our members have lost far too much money, so be careful.
  
  In some places, too many of our people are looking beyond the mark and seeking secret knowledge in expensive and questionable practices to provide healing and support.
  
  An official Church statement, issued one year ago, states: “We urge Church members to be cautious about participating in any group that promises—in exchange for money—miraculous healings or that claims to have special methods for accessing healing power outside of properly ordained priesthood holders.”11
  
  The Church Handbook counsels: “Members should not use medical or health practices that are ethically or legally questionable. Local leaders should advise members who have health problems to consult with competent professional practitioners who are licensed in the countries where they practice.”12
  
  Brothers and sisters, be wise and aware that such practices may be emotionally appealing but may ultimately prove to be spiritually and physically harmful.

Paul's Imprisonment,  Acts 16:19-40

• Angry at the loss of the income they received from exploiting the girl's soothsaying, her masters raised a multitude against the missionaries, accusing them of teaching customs that are not lawful for Roman cities to receive.  The Jewish faith was one of ten that were protected by Roman law, so it could be that the people here are saying that the missionaries have departed from Jewish faith into a different religion, though they do identify them as "Jews" so that may not have been the charge.
• Beaten and thrown into prison, somehow Paul and Silas are able to pray and sing hymns through the night.  Do I approach my challenges with prayer and praise?  Or am I more inclined to whine and be bitter?
• An earthquake causes the doors of the prison to open, but no one leaves.  Presumably, there were more prisoners than just Paul and Silas, and if "all the doors were opened and every ones bands were loosed," why was it that no one left?  It seems most likely due to Paul's intervention.  Did he have compassion on the jailer who would likely be killed if any of them left (which is just what happened when the angel took Peter from prison in chapter 12)?  Or was he just told through the Spirit to wait or to remind the magistrates of his Roman citizenship? 
• The jailer asks them what to do to be saved.  He could have been asking about his physical safety, as in, "What do I have to do so that you don't run away and I don't get killed?"  Or he could have been asking about his spiritual salvation.  Paul and Silas taught him to believe, but lest anyone is tempted to think that belief is all the is needed, two verses later he washes their stripes and is baptized with his household.
• As Roman citizens, Paul and Silas would have had more rights.  They should not have been beaten without a trial.  Paul's Roman citizenship will be important in many of these chapters and probably helped him greatly in his travels throughout the Roman empire spreading the gospel.  The magistrates are horrified when they find out the men they persecuted the day before are Romans.  We are left to wonder why Paul didn't mention this fact sooner.
• The student manual points out a potential benefit of all of this, "On the morning after Paul and Silas were miraculously released from prison, the magistrates sent a message that the men should be allowed to depart in peace. But Paul said that he and Silas would not depart quietly, for they were Roman citizens and had been beaten without first receiving a trial, which was contrary to Roman law. The magistrates feared when they heard these things. However, the way Paul dealt with being beaten, imprisoned, and put in stocks may have benefited the Church in Philippi. It is likely that following Paul’s mistreatment, embarrassed Roman officials took care not to mistreat Church members. The branch of the Church in Philippi grew to become one of the strongest branches of the early Church, one for which Paul had particular affection (see Philippians 1:3–11; 4:1)."  Knowing that Paul could get them in trouble for the way they had treated him, they may have been extremely careful not to offend him in the future by harassing his associates.

Paul in Thessalonica, Acts 17:1-9

• Paul starts to have success, particularly with the devout Greeks (Jewish converts without circumcision) and chief women, but some Jews are moved with jealousy and raise a mob who assault Jason's house and take Jason before the city rulers, who instead of compensating Jason for the mob's attacks, require him to pay a "security" or a bond, presumably that he would get back if there is no more riots.  Paul and Silas leave in the night.  It sounds as though they were only in Thessalonica for three Sabbaths before all this happened.  Yet we have two letters written to the Saints there, so it must have been long enough to lay a foundation that continued.
• Lynn Wilson points out, "The political background sheds light on why the Thessalonian Council was keenly worried about the animosity between Jews and Christians. About this same time, in AD 49, Claudius Caesar expelled Jews from Rome due to a conflict with one of their factions, Christianity. These movements were probably linked with the resurgence of Zealots after King Agrippa I’s death in Palestine."  

Beroea, Acts 17:10-15

• The people here were "more noble" than in the last city because "they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."  They were willing to plant the seed of faith, listen, and seek out from the scriptures and from God the truth of Paul and Silas's message.  They were like the good ground that the seed fell upon in Christ's parable of the sower.
• The importance of being willing to study the scriptures is something that is emphasized often today.  President Howard W. Hunter said this “It is certain that one who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by before continuing. Not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference. … It would be ideal if an hour could be spent each day; but if that much cannot be had, a half hour on a regular basis would result in substantial accomplishment. A quarter of an hour is little time, but it is surprising how much enlightenment and knowledge can be acquired in a subject so meaningful” (quoted in the student manual)
• Elder Richard G. Scott said, "The second tool is to study the word of God in the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. We talk to God through prayer. He most often communicates back to us through His written word. To know what the voice of the Divine sounds and feels like, read His words, study the scriptures, and ponder them. Make them an integral part of everyday life. If you want your children to recognize, understand, and act on the promptings of the Spirit, you must study the scriptures with them.
  
  Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!
  
  There are many prophetic promises of the blessings of daily studying the scriptures. I add my voice with this promise: as you dedicate time every day, personally and with your family, to the study of God’s word, peace will prevail in your life. That peace won’t come from the outside world. It will come from within your home, from within your family, from within your own heart. It will be a gift of the Spirit. It will radiate out from you to influence others in the world around you. You will be doing something very significant to add to the cumulative peace in the world."
• The Jews from Thessalonica weren't happy when they heard Paul and Silas were having success just one city over, so they came to stir up mobs here as well.  I find it interesting that the brethren send Paul away but keep Silas and Timotheus stay behind for a short time.  Was Paul considered more of the target of the mob's ire?  Was he less able to placate the mob with his firebrand personality?

Paul Preaches in Athens, Acts 17:16-34

Areopagus (Hill of Ares) or Mars Hill (the Roman name for Ares) (picture from student manual)

• Paul waits in Athens for his two missionary companions but he doesn't stop preaching the gospel, starting in the synagogues first, with devout persons (Jewish proselytes) and in the market with whoever will meet with him.  
• Of Athens, Lynn Wilson says, "Athens was a wonder of the ancient world. It was one of the three largest cities in the Roman Empire. At the time of the New Testament, Rome was the political capital, but Athens was the educational capital. It was the center of culture, philosophy, and art. It had an extensive influence on western culture. A Greek education was fostered by libraries that contained as many as 600,000 books. The most popular Greek subjects were rhetoric and philosophy. Most of the male population of Greece spoke with skill and many were literate. Romans often completed their formal schooling at one of the two universities in Athens. At that time Athens provided the equivalent of postgraduate study."
• A few philosophers find Paul and bring him to Areopagus to hear from him.  This is where people spent their time wanting to hear "some new thing."  Are we ever like them?  It's not wrong to want to learn new things; in fact, it is vital to our growth.  But sometimes our strengths can also be our weaknesses.  I love to encounter some new idea or way of looking at things.  It's probably why I'm drawn to memoirs, particularly from cultures that differ from mine.  I also love nonfiction of all kinds, and I love to seek out new ideas in my gospel study.  Which can be good, except if I spend more time in my scripture study seeking out something new than I do in looking for insights into how to use what I'm learning to make myself better.  When I taught gospel doctrine, I had to remind myself that just because something was new or cool to me, it didn't mean that this was worth spending time on in class.  Application of basic gospel principles is always going to be more important than one obscure translation of a word or ancient reference by a historian.  Elder Oaks gave a talk in 1994 entitled "Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall."  He references several strengths that can become weaknesses, including "a desire to know all," about which he says, "Another strength Satan can exploit is a strong desire to understand everything about every principle of the gospel. How could that possibly work to our detriment? Experience teaches that if this desire is not disciplined, it can cause some to pursue their searchings beyond the fringes of orthodoxy, seeking answers to obscure mysteries rather than seeking a firmer understanding and a better practice of the basic principles of the gospel.
  
  Some seek answers to questions God has not chosen to answer. Others receive answers—or think they receive answers—in ways that are contrary to the order of the Church. For such searchers, Satan stands ready to mislead through sophistry or spurious revelation. Persons who hunger after a full understanding of all things must discipline their questions and their methods, or they can approach apostasy without even knowing it. It may be just as dangerous to exceed orthodoxy as it is to fall short of it. The safety and happiness we are promised lie in keeping the commandments, not in discounting or multiplying them."
• "Ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7) is how Paul described one of the signs of the perilous times to come in the last days. With the advent of the internet, can we see how prophetic those words are?  We have access to more knowledge than we could ever study in a thousand years, and yet so many are floundering and don't understand basic gospel principles.  Elder Kevin R. Duncan has said, "This world is full of so many self-help books, so many self-proclaimed experts, so many theorists, educators, and philosophers who have advice and counsel to give on any and all subjects. With technology today, information on a myriad of subjects is available with the click of a keystroke. It is easy to get caught in the trap of looking to the “arm of flesh”for advice on everything from how to raise children to how to find happiness. While some information has merit, as members of the Church we have access to the source of pure truth, even God Himself. We would do well to search out answers to our problems and questions by investigating what the Lord has revealed through His prophets."  
• When Paul taught in the synagogues, he used the Hebrew scriptures.  Here, he uses the things that are familiar to his audience, starting with the inscription to the "unknown God" and moving on to quote their poets and build on common ground.
• Epicurians and Stoics are interesting groups.  Lynn Wilson says of the two groups, "Stoicism was founded by Zeno from Cyprus (334–262 BC). For him the greatest achievement in life was reason, and knowledge which arose from it. Stoics believed in a Great Spirit. All matter, including humans, was part of the supreme, and thereby divine. All order and law within the world were the Great Spirit’s mind and will. All was predetermined. If any evil came to a good man, it was only temporary, and in the grand scheme of things it would not be considered evil. They shunned luxury and thought all things done in virtue would bring joy. They found joy in horses, hunting, parties, and falling in love. Death was everyone’s fate, so suicide was fine. After death every spirit became part of the Supreme Being.
  Epicureanism was founded by Epicurus of Greece (341–270 BC), who authored over 300 books. He taught that life was about simple pleasures, and its greatest achievement was wisdom. Epicureans rejected religion and taught that all reason must be confined to the sensual experience as the final test of truth. Knowledge arose out of the senses. They believed that humanity began spontaneously and that death was the end. Sensual pleasures that freed the body from pain, and the soul from disturbance, were legitimate, and wisdom found room for them."
• Where in our day being told you are "too superstitious" is not a compliment, it actually was meant as one here.  "Paul complimented the Athenians, acknowledging that they were “too superstitious,” meaning they were “most religious; i.e., careful in divine things” (Acts 17:22, footnote a). The altar built by the Athenians to the “unknown god” (verse 23) is referred to in other historical sources as an altar to the unknowable god or to all gods not specifically known by name. The Athenians had apparently built this altar to avoid offending or neglecting some unknown deity." 
• Paul looked for the best in their culture.  Instead of starting by condemning them for their worship of idols, he spoke of their zeal in following what they did believe, even as he tried to open the door for a better way of seeing.  President Hinckley has said, "Let me say that we appreciate the truth in all churches and the good which they do. We say to the people, in effect, you bring with you all the good that you have, and then let us see if we can add to it. That is the spirit of this work. That is the essence of our missionary service"
• He speaks of God as our Creator and says that He is not far from us, then quotes from two Stoic poets about "offspring of God" before making the departure to principles that they don't have in common (yet), "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device." We cannot make God in our image and with our hands -- we are the creations and the offspring, not the creators.  Paul is teaching them that God is a real being independent of their idols.  
• The Come Follow Me manual asks the question, "how is being a child of God different from being just one of His creations?"  Knowing our identity as children of God should change the way we view ourselves and our potential.  A person who is simply a creation may not be able to overcome their weakness or addiction, for example, but one who knows of their divinity can seek the help of their Father to overcome any temporary characteristic.   President Dallin H. Oaks said in April, “Where will this lead?” is also important in choosing how we label or think of ourselves. Most important, each of us is a child of God with a potential destiny of eternal life. Every other label, even including occupation, race, physical characteristics, or honors, is temporary or trivial in eternal terms. Don’t choose to label yourselves or think of yourselves in terms that put a limit on a goal for which you might strive."  
• Paul next teaches them of the need for repentance, of a coming judgment day, and of a righteous man [Jesus] who was raised from the dead.
• Paul's words had a mixed reception, with some wanting to hear more and others mocking.  The student manual explains, "During the first century A.D., popular Greek philosophy held that the physical body was part of what made the soul of man impure. According to Platonic dualism, the soul of man was imprisoned in a body of flesh. Hence, the teaching that Jesus Christ had a resurrected physical body would have seemed foolish to many Greeks (see 1 Corinthians 1:23) because they believed God to be pure and perfect. They might ask, “Why would a god receive back the limitations of a physical body?” Also, Plato’s idea of divine impassibility (God’s inability to suffer or feel pain) would make it difficult for many Greeks to accept Jesus as God’s Son, one who came to earth in a corruptible body that was subject to sickness, disease, and death and who lived as a servant to mankind."
• Why is God's word mocked today?  What do people in our day see as ludicrous and beyond what rational, intelligent people can accept? 

Paul in Corinth, Acts 18:1-11

• Corinth is Paul's next stop, and he stays there with the Jew Aquila and his wife Priscilla and works with them making tents.   Lynn Wilson points out, "Paul had been trained, but since he came from a wealthy family he probably only needed to work occasionally (or possibly more after he became a Christian, depending on how his family accepted his faith). . . Later in Paul’s letters he tells us that he supported himself and did not ask the saints for financial aid, which is consistent with this verse (2 Thessalonians 3:8–10; 2 Corinthians 11:9). Paul’s example of working emphasizes that he was on the Lord’s errand of helping people spiritually not profiting from them financially. Paul’s home district of Cilicia exported goat’s hair for making tents."
• Paul teaches in the synagogues until the opposition there rises, when " he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles."  This is a pattern we continually see Paul follow, both of turning from the Jews to teaching Gentiles and also of formally ridding himself of the blood of those who reject his words.  Paul was like Jacob in the Book of Mormon who wrote, "And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day."
• Paul has success with prominent leaders like Crispus and Justus and many others.
• My favorite verses from the week are probably verses 9 and 10 from this section.  We aren't given a lot of context, but it seems that Paul was discouraged for some reason.  Perhaps some unrecorded persecution had just happened.  Maybe he felt like it was time to give up on the Corinthians and move on to a new city.  But then the Lord speaks to him in a vision, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city."  I have had moments where I doubt myself and my ability to cope with what the Lord wants of me, times when I've needed that reassurance that God will be with me.  And while I've never had the Lord come in a vision to speak comforting words to me, I have had many other spiritual experiences that have given me confidence, peace, comfort, and direction.
• After this vision, Paul follows the counsel and stays in Corinth eighteen months.

Paul Arraigned Before Gallio, Acts 18:12-17

• Lynn Wilson gives background on Gallio, "He governed the province of southern Greece known as “Achaia.” Paul’s prosecutors would have known that a Roman ruler would not deal with religious issues, so they must have charged Paul with breaking a Roman law (i.e. propagating an illegal religion—implicating that Paul was not teaching Judaism which was protected by Roman law). The place of judgement, or Tribunal, was a six-foot-high platform with a large chair for the governor. Gallio’s jurisdiction in this area dates to AD 51."  When Gallio refuses to rule against Paul, Wilson says, "Gallio’s ruling became the authoritative precedent for other magistrates guaranteeing Paul’s freedom to preach for years to come. An adverse verdict could have silenced Paul and other Christian missionaries for years."
• Despite a reputation for kindness and his refusal to condemn Paul, Gallio ignores the mob violence against the ruler of the synagogue named Sosthenes.  Lynn Wilson asks, "Is Sosthenes the new ruler of the synagogue after Crispus? Or is it a different synagogue? There is another reference to someone named Sosthenes who is a companion of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:1. We do not know if it is the same person."

Paul Returns to Antioch in Syria, Acts 18:18-23

• Verse 18 was likely a Nazarite vow where a person would take upon himself certain restrictions for a period of time to become closer to God (see Numbers 6).  During the time they were under the vow, they would not cut their hair, drink wine, eat fruit from vines, or touch a dead body.  Wayment says there is "some question of whether this was a Nazarite vow because Paul was not in Jerusalem when he first shaved his head."  Did Paul decide that part wasn't necessary for some reason?  Or had he taken upon himself some kind of modified vow for some reason?  
• Paul goes back through cities he taught in before, "strengthening all the disciples" (verse 23).  It isn't enough to convert and baptize, Paul felt a need to exercise a shepherd's care as these new disciples worked to understand and adopt their new way of life.

Apollos Teaches in Ephesus, Acts 18:24-28

• Don't you just love Apollos?  He's out teaching the gospel message that he knows; the baptism of John and some of the message of "the Lord."  As soon as Aquila and Priscilla (notice these two work together!) hear him, they give him the knowledge he is lacking about "the Way" and he humbly believes it and then teaches the gospel more completely and powerfully.

Paul Travels to Ephesus on His Third Mission, Acts 19:1-10

• This last mission is to be his longest, at four years, with three years in Ephesus.  While Apollos is at Corinth, Paul comes to Ephesus and realizes there is a problem with the twelve converts he finds there.  They seem to have been baptized but don't know about the Holy Ghost.  Having this so soon after telling us about Apollos probably implies that these converts to Christ were taught by Apollos before Priscilla and Aquila met him.  When Paul understood what was going on, he baptized them again with proper authority and laid his hands on them to give the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• This time Paul teaches in the synagogue three months before the opposition becomes too much and he begins to teach in the school of Tyrannus for two years.
• "All of Asia" in verse 10 referred to the Roman province of Asia, which is in modern-day Turkey.

The Sons of Sceva, Acts 19:11-22

• Paul works miracles and sends out his handkerchiefs or aprons and diseases depart.
• The student manual notes, "Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Healings come by the power of faith; there is no healing virtue or power in any item of clothing or other object, whether owned by Paul or Jesus or anyone. But rites and objects may be used to help increase faith” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 2:169). The people in Ephesus had sufficient faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that they were healed when Paul’s handkerchiefs or aprons were brought to them. In our day, the ordinance of anointing the sick with consecrated oil helps to increase the faith of those involved and helps them call upon God’s power and mercy."
• When the seven sons of Sceva, Jewish exorcists, heard about Paul's miracles, they figured it wouldn't hurt to try his methods.  Their efforts backfire when an evil spirit calls out "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?" and they are attacked and leave the house wounded and naked.  
• This must have been widely known because it helps greatly with the missionary work there.  After they are converted, they bring all their books about magic and sorcery and burn them.  What would God have us burn out of our lives in order to be more fully converted?  Some of our media choices?  Gossip and unkindness?  Bad habits?  Selfishness?

The Riot in Ephesus, Acts 19:23-41

Theater at Ephesus

• Ephesus at the time of Paul was a port city and one of the largest in Rome.
• The student manual explains, "Paul’s success in bringing people to Christ’s Church negatively affected the economy of Ephesus, which relied upon income from visitors to the Temple of Artemis. Artemis was the Greek name for the Roman goddess Diana, and the temple built to her in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It drew pilgrims from all over the empire, as well as local merchants who earned their living selling temple visitors food, lodging, dedicatory offerings, and souvenirs.
  
  Craftsmen who made and sold images of the goddess provoked a public uprising against Paul and his message. A large crowd gathered in the theater at Ephesus, which could hold 24,000 people, and chanted for two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” (see Acts 19:23–34). Paul wanted to address the crowd, but he was dissuaded by Church members and government authorities who were concerned for his safety (see Acts 19:30–31). Shortly thereafter, Paul left the city, traveling through Greece and Macedonia and strengthening Church members."
• The craftsmen and others fill the city with confusion and catch two of Paul's companions, taking them into the theater, which could hold 25,000 spectators.  Some of the people got there just out of curiosity, since it says, "the more part knew not wherefore they were come together."
• Paul wanted to come and speak to the people, but his friends in the "provincial authorities" convince him against it.  It seems like here, just as when Paul was sent from Thessalonica, Paul's friends see him as either in greater danger than the others or as more likely to incite the crowds instead of calm them down.  Maybe Paul wasn't quite a diplomat.
• Finally the townclerk calms the masses down by telling them that if there is a problem, they should appeal to the law.  He also reminded them that they might be in trouble with the law themselves if they continue the uproar.

Macedonia and Greece, Acts 20:1-12

• Paul decides it's time to depart, maybe at the insistence of those same friends who kept him from the theater.  He goes to Greece with a group of companions.  In Philippi we get a great story about Paul talking for so long -- "until midnight" -- that a man named Eutychus who is seated on a third floor windowsill falls asleep and falls to his death.  Paul brings him back to life and then keeps right on talking "even till the break of day." Mostly likely people avoided the windowsills for the rest of the long speech as no one else falls to their death.

Miletus, Acts 20:13-36

• In Miletus, Paul calls for the elders of the Church in Ephesus and gives them instructions in a poignant speech.  He tells them the Spirit is calling him to go to Jerusalem, but he doesn't know for what purpose yet.  He does know that he won't see these men again.  God often leads us without giving us any more light than just that next step.  If it weren't this way, we wouldn't grow in our faith.
• Just like in Acts 18:6, Paul declares himself free from the blood of all men, given that he has declared to them "the counsel of God."
• Wayment notes, "The word translated as overseers later came to refer specifically to the work of bishops and that translation is possible here as well . . . An overseer can describe the work of many different professions, but Paul has used it here to refer to the work of a caring shepherd."
• In verse 28, Paul says their job is to "feed the church of God." 
• He warns next of grievous wolves that will arise among themselves and seek to draw people away after them.  He reminds them that he worked with his own hands to take care of himself and those who were with him, not to get gain or praise or a following (as the wolves to come will do), but because he follows the teaching of Christ that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."  
• Full of sorrow for this farewell meeting, they pray together, weep, and kiss Paul.

Paul Travels to Jerusalem, Acts 21:1-17

• Luke seems to deliberately highlighting the parallels between Christ's life and Paul's.  His words about Paul's determination to go to Jerusalem echo the words he used in his gospel about Christ, saying "he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem," (Luke 9:51)
• Philip was called an evangelist, which Wayment says, is "a term that means one who proselytizes or preaches the gospel message."  Philip, as you recall, went to Samaria in chapter 8, taught the gospel, performed miracles, and baptized many.  Now he has young daughters who have the spiritual gift of prophecy.
• Agabus, who we saw in Acts 11:28 prophesying of the "dearth" to come, now prophecies of Paul's binding in Jerusalem.  Luke and the others try to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but he replies, saying, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (verse 13).  Just because a certain course leads to peril or even death does not mean that it is not the will of the Lord.  God isn't in the business of keeping us from experiencing hardship, but He will be with us in whatever circumstances.
• Lynn Wilson points out that the group would have walked, not ridden in "carriages" as the KJV implies.  The word translated "“carriage” is actually a verb that meant prepared for the journey or “packed the baggage” INT"

Paul Meets with James, Acts 21:18-26

• Paul meets with James, who explains that there have been many Jewish converts who are still living the law of Moses and are worried about rumors they have heard of Paul teaching Jews not to live the law of Moses right along the Gentiles.  The Jerusalem conference settled the matter for the Gentiles, but not the Jews yet.
• The Bible Dictionary explains, “the Church under direction of Peter and the Twelve, and acting under the guidance of the Spirit, declared that circumcision was not obligatory for gentile converts. However, it apparently did not settle the matter of whether or not Jewish members of the Church should have their children circumcised. As one reads the scriptures on the matter, it becomes evident that the real issue was not circumcision only but also the larger question as to continued observance of the law of Moses by members of the Church. … The Jewish part of the church membership, especially in Jerusalem, appears to have been very reluctant to cease from the rituals and ceremony of the law of Moses (Acts 21:17–25). This is a marked contrast to the Church among the Nephites, in which there seems to have been a cessation of the law immediately upon their awareness of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (3 Ne. 15:1–4; Moro. 8:8)” 
• My friend and I were talking about why the difference in the eagerness to do away with the law of Moses.  In the Book of Mormon, they seemed to almost have the opposite problem, in that some of them were so anxious to have the law of Moses fulfilled that some thought they could stop following it right after the signs of Christ's birth. Third Nephi 1:24-25 says, "And there were no contentions, save it were a few that began to preach, endeavoring to prove by the scriptures that it was no more expedient to observe the law of Moses. Now in this thing they did err, having not understood the scriptures. But it came to pass that they soon became converted, and were convinced of the error which they were in, for it was made known unto them that the law was not yet fulfilled, and that it must be fulfilled in every whit; yea, the word came unto them that it must be fulfilled; yea, that one jot or tittle should not pass away till it should all be fulfilled; therefore in this same year were they brought to a knowledge of their error and did confess their faults."  
• The Nephites hadn't had the oral laws that grew up around the law of Moses and the cultural baggage that came with such strict interpretations.  Further, the Nephites saw and were taught clearly that the law of Moses was intended to foreshadow Christ and His Atonement, "Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that he should be revealed unto them.  Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come." (Alma 25:15-16)
• Lynn Wilson explains the plan:  "The elders suggested a prudent plan for Paul to appease the feelings of the zealous Jewish-Christians. Before going to the temple, as Paul had been doing among the Gentiles, he needed to purify himself with ritual baths. The four Christian converts who had made a short-term a Nazarite vow (Numbers 6:1–13), were cutting their hair (just as Paul had done after his 2nd Gentile mission in Acts 18:18) and needed to make their thanksgiving offering. As a former Pharisee, Paul knew how important these vows were to the Jews, and accepted James’ advice. If Paul joined them, and “pa[id] their expenses” (RSV, NIV, JB), it would demonstrate his mindfulness of the Law. (Historically at the time, it was regarded as a pious action to pay for the thank-offerings of another.)45"
• See 1 Corinthians 9:19-24 for Paul's views on why he would accommodate whatever culture he is among.  When in Rome, after all.

Paul is Arrested, Acts 21:27-40

• The plan backfires pretty quickly, as one of the men with Paul is mistakenly thought a Gentile and a mob ensues.  They almost kill Paul but the chief captain hears of the commotion and comes, taking Paul into the "castle."  The student manual notes "The term 'castle' in Acts 21:34, 37 refers to the Antonia Fortress, which was the military barracks where the Roman soldiers stayed."
• The Roman captain confuses Paul for "that Egyptian."  The student manual gives some background, "The chief captain questioned Paul, mistakenly believing that Paul was an Egyptian rebel. About three years prior to that time, an Egyptian Jew had raised a large following in the wilderness and brought them to the Mount of Olives. He promised his followers that the walls of Jerusalem would crumble when they approached and that they would be able to drive out the Romans with ease. Felix, the Roman governor, met them with his army and defeated them, but he was unable to capture their leader, who still remained a fugitive." 
• Paul explains to the chief captain who he is and is permitted to defend himself to the mob.

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