Acts 18:22-Acts 28:11 The Final Voyages!

In this section of Acts we find Paul “shaking out his own clothes” of the Jews that he had been preaching to and sets his sights on preaching to the Gentiles exclusively. There Paul continued to preach with boldness. Apollos enters the scene in Ephesus and the text says that he spoke with great fervor.


When Paul is in Ephesus he encounters disciple of John the Baptist and then the disciples were baptized into the name of Jesus Christ. The text says with this baptism the disciples spoke in tongues. Pentecostal Christians believe that speaking in tongues is a demonstration of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life. While Methodist acknowledge speaking in tongues as a spiritual gift—we do not believe that it defines their salvation.

The church in Ephesus experiences great commotion because the challenge of the god of Artemis. Trades people were upset because their livelihood was being threatened if people no longer bought idols. There was a definite unrest in Ephesus!

Paul has a tearful goodbye with the Ephesians and heads to Jerusalem where he is arrested. Interestingly he is given permission to speak to the crowd where he preached the message of the gospel. When he got to the part of the stoning of Stephen the people wanted no more and Paul was taken and flogged. When the commander found out he had done this to a Roman citizen he was alarmed. Paul then testifies before the Sanhedrin, transferred to Caesarea and is tried in from of Festus.

Paul is sent to Rome, on the journey he warned the crew not to go any farther because of the weather—they did not listen and they were shipwrecked (but not one was lost—a miracle). Paul ultimately arrives in Rome and continues to preach.

Wow! That was a lot of material to get through—no wonder it took Paul three missionary tours and decades.

So let’s just talk

• What did you think about Acts?

It really is part of the two volume set that defines the ministry and work of Jesus Christ and the formation of the church. I love acts because is always involves motion and risk. Following Jesus going against the status quo can get you killed—or at least flogged.

• The question is-- are we willing to take the risk to tell the world about the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ? My prayer is that the answer is yes.

Hope you have enjoyed reading Acts—Bon Voyage!