According to a 2015 Deloitte Survey, 6 out of 10 Millennials chose to work for their current employers due to their “sense of purpose.” What we value gives us purpose. Just as organizations have values, individuals do also. Most people have 5 to 7 core values that identify who they are. For the Christian, we are to be “in the world, but not of it.” We are to be different than the world – in our values, in our beliefs, in our character and in our behavior. What is the pointe in Ephesus, the lesson we can glean from Paul’s time in the city?
The Pointe in Ephesus
At the close of the second missionary journey, Paul spends a relatively small amount of time in Ephesus. He was passing through the area as he was heading to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Ephesus becomes the focal point for the ministry of what will become his third missionary journey. What can we learn from the pointe in Ephesus during Paul’s brief time there?
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A Connection to Antioch
Throughout Paul’s journeys, he feels a close tie and a responsibility to the church at Antioch which had commissioned him for the ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 13:1, Acts 14:26, Acts 15:35). So after he had spent some time at Corinth, he left the brothers and set sail for Syria (Acts 18:18).
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A Sacred Vow
Even a leader of the stature of the apostle Paul sets goals and plans for his future. Of course, he involves God and God’s Word in his purposes. He constantly seeking God’s direction and guidance. Even though Paul’s salvation is not bound by the Law, he has taken a vow. Before Paul sailed, he had his hair cut as a part of a vow that he had taken. Vows were either taken as a statement and expression of thankfulness for past blessings, or as a part of a petition and plan for future blessings. The reference to the cutting of hair almost certainly means it was a Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1). Nazirite vows included abstinence of drinking wine and cutting one’s hair. Generally, the hair was cut and then burned, along with other sacrifices, as a symbol of self-sacrifice and an offering of oneself to God. If the vow was made away from Jerusalem, the hair could be kept and eventually be brought to the Temple for the ceremonial burning.
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A Sense of Urgency
At points in Paul’s ministry, he seems to take all the time that is necessary, but there are other times when he seems to have a sense of urgency which drives him. The Western Greek manuscripts (from which the KJV translated; the NIV chose texts from further East) include the phrase, “I must at all costs keep the coming festival in Jerusalem” (Acts 18:21 KJV, Acts 18:21 NKJV ) which probably means that he wanted to keep the Passover in Jerusalem. The Passover was a pilgrimage event (faithful men who were able were encouraged to be at the Temple in Jerusalem for these festivals). Even though Paul was not saved by keeping the commands of the Law, he saw value in the traditions and the fellowship of keeping those traditions with his family and other believers. In the midst of the chaos of changing and unbelieving culture, it becomes increasingly valuable to cling to traditions. Without such fervor, sound doctrine can be lost from generation to generation.
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The Will of God
Paul was intrigued by the circumstances and the people of Ephesus. As they begged him to stay, he respectfully declined, but insisted that if it were God’s will, he would return. Paul sees God’s hand in everything that he plans and does. Paul is more than willing to give God the credit for such direction and activity.
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