Paul In Ephesus; Acts 19:1 – 22 Part 5

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

Paul came to Ephesus to do as much good as he possibly can. He begins, as usual, in the Jews' synagogue, and makes the first offer of the gospel to them, that he might gather in the lost sheep of the house of Israel, who were now scattered upon the mountains. He preached to them: in their synagogue as Christ used to do. He went and joined them in their synagogue-worship, to remove their prejudices against him, and to integrate himself with them. If there was any hope of winning them for Christ, he would have to bear his testimony in public worship on their Sabbath days. In places where there were no Christian assemblies yet formed, he frequented the Jewish assemblies. Paul went into the synagogue, because there he had them together, and had them it might be hoped, in a good frame of mind.

He preached to them the things concerning the kingdom of God among men, the great things which concerned God's dominion over all men and favor to them, and men's subjection to God and happiness in God. He showed them their obligations to God and interest in him, as the Creator, by which the kingdom of God was set up. He showed how the violation of those obligations, and the forfeiture of that interest, by sin, by which the kingdom of God was pulled down. He told how the renewing of those obligations and the restoration of man to that interest, by the Redeemer, whereby the kingdom of God was again set up. Or, more particularly, the things concerning the kingdom of the Messiah, which the Jews had expectations of, and it’s promises. He opened the scriptures which spoke concerning this, gave them the right idea of this kingdom, and showed them their mistakes concerning it.

He preached argumentatively: he disputed; gave reasons, scripture-reasons, for what he preached, and answered objections, for the convincing of men's judgments and consciences, that they might not only believe, but might see cause to believe. He preached dialogue-wise; he put questions to them and received their answers, gave them an opportunity to ask questions and he answered them. He preached affectionately: he persuaded; he used not only logical arguments, to reinforce what he said, but rhetorical motives, to impress what he said upon their minds, showing them that the things he preached concerning the kingdom of God were things concerning themselves and therefore ought to concern themselves about, (2Corinthians 5:11),