After leaving Ephesus, Paul traveled again through Macedonia. He revisited the churches he had planted earlier in cities such as Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. His purpose was to encourage the believers and strengthen their faith. Paul often reminded them to remain faithful to Jesus Christ despite persecution and hardship.
After Macedonia, Paul went south to Greece, where he stayed for three months. During this time, he likely spent much of his stay in Corinth, teaching and encouraging the church there. Paul planned to sail from Greece to Syria, but he learned that some Jews were plotting against him. Because of this danger, Paul decided not to sail. Instead, he returned by land through Macedonia to avoid harm Pauls Transfer to Caesarea.
The Miracle in Troas
Paul then traveled to the city of Troas. There, the believers gathered on the first day of the week to break bread and listen to Paul speak. Because Paul was planning to leave the next day, he spoke for a long time, continuing until midnight.
A young man named Eutychus was sitting in a window on the third floor of the house where they were meeting. As Paul continued speaking, the young man became very sleepy. He fell from the window and was taken up dead. This caused great fear and sadness among the believers.
Paul went down, embraced the young man, and prayed. God brought the young man back to life. The believers were greatly comforted by this miracle. After this event, Paul continued speaking until morning, then prepared to leave Troas.
Journey by Sea to Miletus
Paul left Troas and walked to the city of Assos. From there, he joined the other disciples on a ship. Together, they sailed along the coast of Asia Minor. They passed by Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Trogyllium before finally reaching the city of Miletus Tours Sofia.
Paul did not go to Ephesus because he wanted to reach Jerusalem quickly. Instead, he sent a message to the elders of the church in Ephesus and asked them to meet him in Miletus.
Paul’s Farewell Speech to the Elders
When the elders arrived, Paul gave a very emotional farewell speech. He reminded them how he had lived among them with humility, tears, and hard work. Paul told them that he would not see them again. This made the meeting very sad.
Paul urged the elders to care for the church and to shepherd God’s people faithfully. He warned them that false teachers would come like wolves and try to destroy the church from within. He also warned that some men would twist the truth to draw followers after themselves. Paul encouraged the elders to remain alert and faithful to God’s word.
Warnings on the Way to Jerusalem
After leaving Miletus, Paul and his companions sailed to Coos, then to Rhodes, and later to Patara. From Patara, they crossed the sea to Tyre in Syria. In Tyre, they stayed with the disciples for seven days. Through the Holy Spirit, these believers warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem because of the danger waiting for him.
Paul then traveled to Ptolemais, where he greeted the believers briefly. After that, he went to Caesarea and stayed with Philip the evangelist. While there, a prophet named Agabus came from Judea. Agabus took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet. He prophesied that the Jews in Jerusalem would bind Paul and hand him over to the Gentiles.
Paul’s Determination to Go to Jerusalem
When the disciples heard this prophecy, they begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. However, Paul answered that he was ready not only to be bound but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing his strong faith and determination, the believers stopped trying to persuade him.
Finally, Paul and his companions went up to Jerusalem, fully trusting in God’s will and prepared to face whatever awaited him there.
