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The Acts of the Apostles
apostle and hold the tumultuous mob in check. Paul’s heart was filled
with gratitude to God that his life had been preserved and that Chris-
tianity had not been brought into disrepute by the tumult at Ephesus.
“After the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples,
and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.” On
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this journey he was accompanied by two faithful Ephesian brethren,
Tychicus and Trophimus.
Paul’s labors in Ephesus were concluded. His ministry there had
been a season of incessant labor, of many trials, and of deep anguish.
He had taught the people in public and from house to house, with
many tears instructing and warning them. Continually he had been
opposed by the Jews, who lost no opportunity to stir up the popular
feeling against him.
And while thus battling against opposition, pushing forward with
untiring zeal the gospel work, and guarding the interests of a church
yet young in the faith, Paul was bearing upon his soul a heavy burden
for all the churches.
News of apostasy in some of the churches of his planting caused
him deep sorrow. He feared that his efforts in their behalf might prove
to be in vain. Many a sleepless night was spent in prayer and earnest
thought as he learned of the methods employed to counteract his work.
As he had opportunity and as their condition demanded, he wrote to
the churches, giving reproof, counsel, admonition, and encouragement.
In these letters the apostle does not dwell on his own trials, yet there
are occasional glimpses of his labors and sufferings in the cause of
Christ. Stripes and imprisonment, cold and hunger and thirst, perils
by land and by sea, in the city and in the wilderness, from his own
countrymen, from the heathen, and from false brethren—all this he
endured for the sake of the gospel. He was “defamed,” “reviled,” made
“the offscouring of all things,“ “perplexed,” “persecuted,” “troubled
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on every side,” “in jeopardy every hour,” “alway delivered unto death
for Jesus’ sake.”
Amidst the constant storm of opposition, the clamor of enemies,
and the desertion of friends the intrepid apostle almost lost heart. But
he looked back to Calvary and with new ardor pressed on to spread
the knowledge of the Crucified. He was but treading the blood-stained
path that Christ had trodden before him. He sought no discharge from
the warfare till he should lay off his armor at the feet of his Redeemer.
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