Three weeks ago, we discovered that Apollos from Alexandria in Egypt arrived in Ephesus, and having never met Paul, was able to do what Paul had been doing for several years, that is, effectively refuting the Jews in public and demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Unbeknownst to Paul who was still traveling through Asia Minor, God had raised up Apollos to be mentored by Aquilla and Priscilla in Ephesus. And then God called Apollos to travel to Corinth where Paul had already spent a year and a half on his Second Missionary Journey. Apollos’ mission once in Corinth was to not only minister to the church there, but to also go into the synagogue and continue sharing the Good News with all who would listen.

Shortly after Apollos left for Corinth, Paul arrived in Ephesus where he met some disciples of Jesus who had not heard of receiving the Holy Spirit. In response, Paul asked them what baptism they had received, and they replied that it was John’s baptism, to which Paul replied:

“John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, and he told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, Jesus” (Acts 19:4).

Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and received the Holy Spirit. And then Paul entered the synagogue in Ephesus and:

Spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8).

Just as Apollos had previously done in Ephesus before leaving for Corinth, Paul also “argued persuasively” about the kingdom of God. It’s one thing to argue, but to argue “persuasively” is what is needed to help people understand and respond to the Gospel. We call this “apologetics,” that is, putting up persuasive arguments for the truth of God and the defense of the faith. However, not all in the synagogue were persuaded, and Luke records their reaction:

But some of them became obstinate and refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way (Acts 19:9).

Interestingly, followers of Jesus were not only called “Christians” (a term which began at the church in Antioch), but also followers of “the Way,” recalling that Jesus referred to Himself as “The Way” (John 14:6).  What would you do if your message was rejected by those whose hearts had become hardened? Luke tells us what Paul did:

So, Paul left them and took the disciples with him. They had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:9-10).

We are not sure if Paul had to rent the “lecture hall” or if it was “donated” by Tyrannus who had become a follower of “the Way.” However, we notice that when the door closed for preaching the Gospel in the synagogue, God opened a bigger and better one as Paul continued preaching and discipling new believers in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Furthermore, Paul would spend the next two years sharing the message of Jesus so that “all who lived in Asia” (i.e. “multitudes”) not only heard the Word of the Lord, but these disciples grew in their faith as well.

For all of those who have faced a closed door when you felt that God had opened it for His purposes, remember that He is the One who allowed the door to be closed in the first place, and that He is likely preparing a bigger and better door to open for you. So, none of us should get discouraged about closed doors, because God is more than likely working out a plan that is bigger and better than we can imagine.

However, there is something else to realize, and that is when God opens a door, we need to be prepared to face opposition. And that’s what happened to Paul. As the door opened for him to preach in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, opposition to Paul and the Gospel mounted. And it is to that opposition that we will turn our attention next week.

In the meantime, blessings to all. Hope to see you next week.