121
Immediately after this public exhibition of the triumph of the gospel over the powers of darkness, we read of
Paul's desire to go to Rome: `I must also see Rome also'. He had found the door temporarily shut in Asia (Acts
16:6), and had seen the vision at Troas (16:9). At Philippi, a Roman colony, he had witnessed the failure of the
Devil's first effort to compromise the new witness, and at Ephesus also, the temple-keeper of Diana, he had seen the
triumph of light over darkness. Another round of ministry had been brought to a glorious conclusion. The gospel
had been preached, many had believed, and the powers of darkness had been driven out of their strongholds.
We conclude this very inadequate survey with a simplified structure, trusting that it may be of service to any
who desire to prosecute their studies further.
Acts 18:24 to 19:20
a1 APOLLOS.-'Knowing only the baptism of John'.
A 18:24 to
19:7.
Taught `more perfectly'.
a2 DISCIPLES.- `Unto John's baptism'.
JOHN'S
BAPTISM.
`Spake with tongues and prophesied'.
B
19:8-10. The word of the Lord Jesus heard.
a3 PAUL AND EVIL SPIRITS. - `Went out of them'.
A 19:11-19.
a4 SONS OF SCEVA AND EVIL SPIRITS. -
SPECIAL
MIRACLES.
`Prevailed against them'.
B
19:20.
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
CHAPTER 16
The Third Missionary Journey
(Acts 19:21 to 21:39)
Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:21 to 20:4)
The second missionary journey comes to an end with the words of Acts 19:20: `So mightily grew the word of
God and prevailed', and we must now begin our study of the apostle's third journey.
If we refer back to the structure which was given on page 4), we shall find that the next verse (19:21) marks the
beginning of the final section of the book. As the structure shows, this section corresponds with the close of Peter's
ministry:
E 12:1-23.
JERUSALEM.
Peter's imprisonment.
Close of ministry.
E 19:21 to 28:31.
EPHESUS TO ROME.
Paul's imprisonment.
Close of one ministry and commencement of the prison ministry, and the `dispensation
of the mystery'.
This closing section is divided into two parts, the first part dealing with the time during which Paul was still free
(19:21 to 21:39), and the second with the remainder of his recorded ministry, during which he was a prisoner, in
Cęsarea, on board ship, and at Rome (21:40 to 28:31). We will not attempt to set out the structure of these two
parts together, but rather concentrate upon the first part - the apostle's third missionary journey which closes the
apostle's activity as a free man during the Acts.
Let us first consider the section in broad outline: