Day 329 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Acts 18:23–20:6
Spiritual Adversity; Paul's Third Missionary Journey
Our spiritual adversary is Satan. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (See John 10:10, Luke 22:31, and 1Peter 5:8).
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary produces a Christian World-Wide Database. Its findings reveal, that “an average of 160,000 Christians are martyred for their faith per year.” The Voice of the Martyrs organization chronicles the daily persecutions of Christians all over the world. What can we do about it? Later in this lesson, we'll see how we can fight against the devil (Satan).
Christianity wasn't popular with the Jews in the first century. They punished followers of Christ, thinking they were heretical. Spiritual battles were common during Paul's third missionary journey.
In today's Bible reading, Paul and Silas travel to Galatia and Phrygia, where the Holy Spirit had prevented them from going on their second missionary journey. We don't know the exact reason, but 1Thessalonians 2:18 gives us a clue. This area was a hotbed of demonic activity; Revelation 2:13 describes it as the place of Satan's throne, his seat of power on earth. Here, idolatry and wickedness reigned.Perhaps Paul and Silas were delayed from going to Galatia because of spiritual warfare in the area. However, on Paul's third missionary journey, God's Spirit permitted him and his companions to evangelize these people for two years.
We should be flexible with God's plans, even if we don't understand them; the Lord may protect us from evil or have other designs for us.
A Team Effort
Those in the military tell us that battles are not won by single efforts, but by team efforts. Many of the heroes don't come home. In today's Bible reading, Priscilla and Aquila (a Christian couple) are a team. They're involved in a spiritual ministry in Ephesus, but in this city, idol worship and sexual carelessness saturate the culture.
Priscilla and Aquila help disciple Apollos, who is a Christian from Alexandria, Egypt. He joins their team. Apollos is an effective communicator and a well-educated man. “He vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 18:28, NIV).
When Apollos wants to go to Corinth, they encourage him. He becomes such a competent defender of the faith against the Jewish religion that he's an invaluable help to the Corinthian church.
As Paul and Silas arrive in Ephesus, they also face spiritual adversity. When Paul speaks in the synagogue, some attendees malign his teachings in public. Because of this resistance, Paul leaves the synagogue and holds discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. He teaches them for two years and also heals diseases and casts out demons. When the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, attempt to do the same, the demons attack them.
The residents of Ephesus practice black magic, but when people turn to the LORD, they make a bonfire and burn everything related to their evil arts. Have we turned away from sinful things to worship the one and only God?
Do we face spiritual battles today? Yes! What do we do about it? Paul tells the Christians in Ephesus,
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 6:11-12, NIV).
How do we fight the devil? Should we cast out demons? Although classes exist on how to cast out demons, we should take a warning from Acts 19 and know this practice is dangerous. We shouldn't underestimate the power of Satan and his evil entourage. Even Jesus' disciples struggled to cast out some of them (Matthew 17:15-20). Instead, we're commanded to “put on the full armor of God, so that [we] will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11, NIV). We will learn more about that when we come to our Ephesians Bible study.
When Paul and Silas lead many people to the LORD, it hurts the silversmith and idol-making trades; fewer idols are being purchased. Thus, the business leaders incite Ephesus's people against Paul and Silas on behalf of their fertility goddess, Artemis. Then, by mistake, they drag Paul's traveling companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, in front of the crowd. The people create such a disturbance that the town clerk has to settle them down. However, when he finds there's no justifiable reason to keep them, he dismisses the crowd and lets the men go free. God is their defense in spiritual adversity, and he will be our defense if we have a spiritual relationship with him.
1. This survery was done in 2018. http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/
p/christiantoday.htm2. synagogues were small meeting places for teaching, worship, and community affairs
Discussion
If we experience delays in doing God’s will, how should we react?
How is Christianity a team effort?
Should we cast out demons? If not, how should we fight against the devil?
Focus Verse
Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: While Paul is on his third missionary journey he hears of serious divisions in the church of Corinth. Some churches today have the same problem. Paul urges them to Be Sober-Minded. Read what this means and how it helps in our next lesson.
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