Miracles in the church
Paul in Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20:1–6)
Paul traveled to various cities. Where he went the Jews followed and persecuted him. There was a growing number of disciples who were coworkers with Paul in the ministry. They helped in practical ways by providing material support and assisted him in the work. Paul slowly made his way toward Jerusalem. Some of the people listed were also mentioned by Paul in his letters to the churches.
What does this tell us about the Bible and these events? This is a record of historical facts. We have a list of cities, towns, regions, people. There is a lot of detail provided that could be verified. If the Bible was not true it would not include such information which could be verified. We have a wealth of information to provide historical proof of the truth in the Holy Bible.
One reason Paul moved around was that he returned to churches he went to before. A lot of these churches he helped start. He returned to these churches to encourage, exhort, and build the faith of the believers. His goal was to build, encourage, and comfort God’s people. This should be our goal today as well. We are to pray for the church, share God’s word, and seek to build, encourage, and comfort God’s people.
I am strengthened in my faith in the message of the gospel by reading this passage. The Lord Jesus was crucified on a cross outside Jerusalem. He died on that cross. He was buried in a rich man’s tomb. He rose from the dead three days later. He was seen by his disciples and apostles. He ascended back to heaven after he gave them instructions. We are told that Jesus will return to earth in the same manner he left. He will return. He will establish his kingdom upon this earth and rule over the nations with a rod of iron. Just as surely as these historical events were true, so also the future events spoken of by the Bible will also happen.
Eutychus Revived At Troas (Acts 20:7–12)
A young man, Eutychus, listened to Paul preach for such a long time that he went to sleep and fell out of a window. He was dead when he hit the ground. Paul went down and the man revived. He was dead from the fall, but came back to life when Paul went down to retrieve him. What did they do after this? Paul went back to preaching until the morning and then he left. This true story is “stranger than fiction”. It happened.
What can we learn from this? We get a glimpse into a church that stayed up all night listening to Paul preach the word to them. These people did not have a church service like modern people think of church. These people were meeting in homes, eating meals together, and preaching the word of God all night long.
The supernatural happened in this church. It was a common occurrence for miracles to happen. Here was a man who died during the church service and then came back to life. Everyone just continued with the church service. They had a meal and then Paul continued preaching until morning.
Our modern “play” church has no resemblance to this primitive church. This church was born in the fire of the Holy Ghost, but today we live in the smoke of man-made tradition and ceremony. May God deliver us from dead religion and raise us to new life in the Spirit in these last days. Perhaps our modern church needs to fall out of a window so it can be raised to new life and so continue until the day dawns and the morning star arises in our hearts.
From Troas To Miletus (Acts 20:13–16)
Here are more details of Paul’s travel arrangements. The part which stands out to me is the determination Paul had to be in Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. Why was Paul determined to get to Jerusalem? Why did he need to get there by the day of Pentecost?
Perhaps the reason Paul wanted to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost was because of the opportunity for preaching the gospel. As we know from the beginning of the book of Acts people from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem at Pentecost. This was the same time of year the Holy Spirit fell upon the original apostles and early church and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke with tongues, and prophesied. It was on that day Peter preached and many people were saved. Perhaps Paul saw this as another opportunity to preach the gospel and win many souls into the kingdom of God.
These ministry teams were strategic in outreach. They tried to reach as many people as possible with the gospel. They had a regular pattern in ministry of going to the local Jewish synagogue, preaching the gospel, and depending on the response they would continue in that town or they would leave for the next town.
I think this is what we see here in Paul’s determination to go to Jerusalem. His desire was to reach as many people as possible at that time of the year in a city where many people would be gathered from all over the world.
The great commission is to reach all the nations with the gospel. Going into the city of Jerusalem was a strategic way of reaching all those nations.
Paul’s Farewell To The Ephesians (Acts 20:17–38)
Here is a turning point in Paul’s ministry. He told the elders from Ephesus he would not see them again. He was going to Jerusalem and knew that difficulties and persecution awaited him. He was not moved by the prospect of difficulty but determined to finish the work which the Lord Jesus gave him.
Paul testified that he had a clear conscience about his ministry among them. He did not covet anyone’s material resources, but instead he supported himself and those who were with him. He did not take from them but he gave the gospel and his own life.
He warned the elders from Ephesus that men would infiltrate the church and try to lead people astray. Paul called these men grievous wolves and men who would speak perverse things to deceive people and make disciples out of people in the church. Paul could have been speaking about all of church history, because this prophecy was played out many times in church history and still today.
Paul prayed with them, cried with him, hugged them, and then said goodbye to them. He knew he would not be back to that place again. He knew his future was in Jerusalem and in Rome.
There are different seasons in life. We may spend years in one location serving the Lord but then he moves us on to another place. We have to remain flexible and open to where the Lord wants to take us.
Despite knowing that he faced difficulty Paul was determined to obey God. We have to make that same decision. No matter how hard life may get we must determine to keep walking by faith and trusting in the Lord Jesus. The Lord will get us through. He is our provider, he is our protector, and he is our portion forever.
