Paul's Third Missionary Journey

After a brief visit with the Syrian Antioch church, Paul made a third journey, on which he spent a significant amount of time ministering in the very pagan city of Ephesus.

When Paul arrived in Ephesus, a large, influential city in the Roman Empire, he went to the Jewish meeting place to persuade Jews about the true kingdom of God. After three months, resistance caused him to take the Jesus-followers to the Hall of Tyrannus, where he taught them daily. Over the course of two years, both Jews and non-Jews from all of Asia Minor heard the message of the Master.

God did unusually powerful signs through Paul to counter the existing culture of magic in Ephesus. “Miracle workers” did tricks and illusions to glorify themselves. God used Paul to perform formerly unseen feats to turn people’s attention to the all-powerful living God. People even took hand towels Paul used to mop sweat off his forehead while making tents and touched the sick with them. God would then heal their diseases and cast out demons from them. Now that’s power! God, through Paul, through the cloth, to the infirmed!

Some traveling Jewish exorcists (con artists) tried what they considered Paul’s “formula”: “I command you by the Jesus preached by Paul!” One large family of a self-proclaimed high priest named Sceva tried this on a man, but the demon talked back: “I know Jesus, I’ve heard of Paul, but who are you?” Then the demon-possessed man attacked the seven exorcists, ripping off their clothes. Naked and bleeding, they fled as best they could. Everyone in Ephesus—both Jews and non-Jews—heard this story. The name of the Lord Jesus was feared and revered.

Many magicians and witches believed and abandoned their sorceries. They brought their incantation books and burned them publicly. The value of the books was estimated at 50,000 silver coins. A clash of religious worldview cultures had erupted and the power of God’s Word was conquering Ephesus.

Demetrius, a silversmith who had become wealthy by manufacturing shrines to the goddess Artemis, employed several artisans. He gathered his workers and others similarly employed. “Men,” he said, “we were doing so well and now Paul has ruined our business by telling people that handmade gods are no good. People in Ephesus and all over Asia Minor are being persuaded.

“But it’s not just our business that’s going to the dogs. The temple —one of the Seven Wonders of the World—of our famous goddess Artemis will end up a pile of rubble if she who is worshiped around the world is forgotten!"

The crowd exploded, running, yelling! “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” A confused, angry mob stampeded the stadium, dragging believers to the center.

The confusion was thick; some were yelling one thing, some another, most not knowing why they were there. Then the chant, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” began and continued for more than two hours.

Eventually, the town clerk quieted the mob. “Ephesians, doesn’t everyone know that our city is protector of glorious Artemis and her image that fell straight from Heaven? So settle down! These men you’ve dragged in here have done nothing to harm either our temple or our goddess.

“Demetrius and his artisan guild can go to court or bring complaints to the regularly scheduled meeting. But there is no excuse for this unruly assembly. Rome does not appreciate rioting.” Then he sent them home. Although the town clerk’s worldview differed greatly from Paul’s, he didn’t want a riot.

Since Paul’s missionary team faced opposition in Ephesus (as well as other places), he later wrote a letter to the Ephesians in which he warned, “Our strong God wants you to be strong in Him. Use the armor the Master has prepared for you so you can face whatever Satan puts in your path. We’re not fighting against men, but against the Devil and his dark forces.”