Study Desk

Some of the Jews there believed Paul and Silas and decided to join them. Also, a large number of Greeks who were worshipers of the true God and many important women joined them.

In the synagogue he talked with the Jews and with the Greeks who were worshipers of the true God. He also went to the public square every day and talked with everyone who came by.

I was going through your city and I saw the things you worship. I found an altar that had these words written on it: ‘ to an unknown god .' You worship a god that you don't know. This is the God I want to tell you about.

"He is the God who made the whole world and everything in it. He is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands.

God began by making one man, and from him he made all the different people who live everywhere in the world. He decided exactly when and where they would live.

"God wanted people to look for him, and perhaps in searching all around for him, they would find him. But he is not far from any of us.

"That's right. We all come from God. So you must not think that he is like something people imagine or make. He is not made of gold, silver, or stone.

In the past people did not understand God, and he overlooked this. But now he is telling everyone in the world to change and turn to him.

Paul left the synagogue and moved into the home of Titius Justus, a man who was a worshiper of the true God. His house was next to the synagogue.

They said to Gallio, "This man is teaching people to worship God in a way that is against our law!"

Paul stayed with the believers for many days. Then he left and sailed for Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were also with him. At Cenchrea Paul cut off his hair, because he had made a promise to God.

He left them and said, "I will come back to you again if God wants me to." And so he sailed away from Ephesus.

Apollos began to speak very boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak, they took him to their home and helped him understand the way of God better.

God used Paul to do some very special miracles.

I told everyone—Jewish and non-Jewish people—to change and turn to God. I told them all to believe in our Lord Jesus.

So today I can tell you one thing that I am sure of: God will not blame me if some of you are not saved.

I can say this because I know that I told you everything that God wants you to know.

Be careful for yourselves and for all the people God has given you. The Holy Spirit gave you the work of caring for this flock. You must be shepherds to the church of God, the people he bought with his own blood.

"Now I am putting you in God's care. I am depending on the message about his grace to make you strong. That message is able to give you the blessings that God gives to all his holy people.

He came to us and borrowed Paul's belt. He used it to tie his own hands and feet. He said, "The Holy Spirit tells me, ‘This is how the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man who wears this belt. Then they will hand him over to people who don't know God.'"