ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTER 19
Up till this point, several others had been mentioned for coming unto the scene with the gospel work. The previous chapter made a casual mention of the apostle Paul who concluded his second mission trip and how he quickly embarked upon another mission trip. From then on this would lead the child of God to read about the rest of the activities of apostles and disciples in the gospel outreach. To say that Paul was remarkably successful during the previous two trips would be an understatement. Even the enemies of the cross had acknowledged that Paul and his team had turned the world upside down with his doctrine. As such they relentlessly pursued Paul and chasing him from city to city trying to hunt him down and exterminate him. Paul was such a great threat to their religious survival that no effort was spared to get rid of him. Hence Paul’s third mission trip would be no different where souls were won and persecution continued to be part and parcel of his gospel adventure. Eventually, Paul would have to deal with his trouble in custody when his enemies nearly succeeded in killing him in Jerusalem in subsequent chapters.
Acts 19:1: And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Acts 19:2: He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Apollos having been instructed in the way of the Lord more perfectly other than simply knowing only the baptism of John the Baptist went to minister to the believers in Corinth. Initially, he was ministering in Ephesus knowing only the baptism of John the Baptist. By now he would be having a fruitful time with Christians in Corinth teaching them the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. While he was at Corinth ministering, the apostle Paul arrived at Ephesus finding certain disciples. Paul was spiritually discerning and he asked these disciples whether they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed. This was uncharacteristic of Paul for he would always testify to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. For this group of disciples Paul had to ascertain whether they knew the Lord Jesus Christ and hence this unusual question for them. His suspicion confirmed his fear that they did not know the Lord in a perfect manner like Apollos in the past. They were surprised by this question and they replied that they had never heard about the Holy Ghost.
The issue concerning disciples receiving the Holy Ghost would be an indicator to gauge the spiritual status of these disciples in Ephesus. Their answer was a clear indication that the message they heard and the truth they believed were incomplete. They were still living in the past. Had they moved on with the time having been taught of the Lord Jesus Christ or by the Lord’s apostles and disciples, they would know about the Holy Ghost. Before the cross, the Holy Ghost was not given: (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39) That was era of John the Baptist.
However, the Lord told His disciples when the Holy Ghost would come: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:7 & 12-15)
Moreover, the way the Holy Ghost was given to the Lord’s apostles and disciples was also different. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:22&23) The apostles here received the Holy Ghost directly from the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost when Peter preached to the Jews and proselytes, the Holy Ghost was also offered to those penitent hearers of the sermon: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
Subsequently, when Philip preached the gospel to the Samaritans, they did not receive the Holy Ghost even after he baptized them. They only received the Holy Ghost when the apostle from Jerusalem came to lay hands on them: Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17) The business of impartation of the Holy Ghost was beginning to change.
Within the same chapter 8 of Acts, the Gentile Ethiopian eunuch was not mentioned to have received the Holy Ghost after Philip preached to him. He believed the salvation message and confessed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and he was even baptized by Philip. No apostles were sent after this man to lay hand on him to impart to him the Holy Ghost. This was the beginning of the shift of the mode of the gift of the Holy Ghost. So when Peter was called to preach to the Gentile household of Cornelius, as he expected to perform a laying on of hands to give them the Holy Ghost to those who believed, the Lord bypassed Peter and conferred the Holy Ghost upon them without Peter having to lay hands on them.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? (Acts 10:44-47, 11:17)
From then on when the apostle Paul and others ministering the gospel to the Gentiles no longer need to lay hands on anyone to impart to them the gift of the Holy Ghost after they believed. They received the Holy Ghost the moment they believed like the Gentile household of Cornelius and those believers in Ephesus mentioned by Paul. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13&14) Over here, Paul was now dealing with some disciples who had never heard about the Holy Ghost. He needed to verify their status as to why they had never received the Holy Ghost like the rest of the disciples.
Acts 19:3: And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Their reply showed why they did not hear anything about the Holy Ghost. They were actually disciples of John the Baptist and they were baptized with the baptism for the remission of sin: John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Mark 1:4) By that point in time, remission of sin was found in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ for His work accomplished at Calvary. These disciples might have been converts of Apollos who was preaching John the Baptist’s baptism at Ephesus previously. These were disciples who had not kept up with their time. So Paul had to minister to them in a different manner.
Acts 19:4: Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Acts 19:5: When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:6: And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 19:7: And all the men were about twelve.
Paul then explained to them the significance of John’s baptism and the mission of John the Baptist. For John the Baptist was the forerunner to point others to the Messiah of Israel, the Lord Jesus Christ. All of John’s disciples should believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence when these disciples heard Paul’s message they believed and they were then baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. However, they did not receive the Holy Ghost like the rest of the Gentiles who believed and was baptized. Paul had to lay hands on them to impart to them the gift of the Holy Ghost. Moreover, they spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost. This was the third record concerning speaking in tongues by the disciples of the Lord.
The first time this happened was on the day of Pentecost when the apostles was baptized by the Holy Ghost who filled the whole room and they spoke in tongues in Acts 2. The second time took place in the home of Cornelius where they Holy Ghost fell on them and they spoke in tongues in Acts 10. Here these disciples likewise spoke in tongues after they received the Holy Ghost. The purpose of the disciples speaking in tongues was not to demonstrate their state of spirituality but for a sign. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (1 Corinthians 14:22) These tongue-speaking incidents were meant for the Jews. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (1 Corinthians 1:22) The number of disciples here was about twelve which confirmed the number of the children of Israel being twelve of them. These disciples prophesied as well.
So the modern day tongues speaking movement have no Scriptural basis and purpose. In addition, their tongues are but gibberish and not languages and dialects known to those hearers who could understand them. Moreover, they also violated Scriptural injunction when they speak in tongues. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:28) The apostle Paul clearly spelt out the rationale behind speaking in tongues: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:19) Speaking in gibberish or making animal noises does not count as tongues but the devil’s mouthpiece to fool the gullible.
Acts 19:8: And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:9: But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
After this incident, Paul was back to his usual legal platform to speak to the Jews in the synagogue in Ephesus. He spent three months giving the Jews a chance to hear the gospel and concerning things of the Kingdom of God first. When the unbelieving Jews hardened themselves and spoke evil of the way of salvation preached by Paul, Paul moved on separating himself from them with his disciples and carried out his work in the school of Tyrannus. From there his daily ministry was to dispute with those who would hear him as his base from the synagogue was no longer available. The faithfulness of Paul was evident as he lived for the gospel and daily laboured for the Lord.
Acts 19:10: And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
Acts 19:11: And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
Acts 19:12: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
This new base teaching from the school of Tyrannus was very fruitful to say the least. Paul had a fruitful ministry for two years and during this space of time, all the dwellers in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greek. The Lord indeed multiplied his ministry and God even wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul. Paul’s ministry was not just in words only but in power where healing of diseases and casting of evil spirits were performed authenticating his apostleship. Paul was not conducting himself like a salesman trying to pitch a sale during the gospel presentation for he wrote: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4&5) This power was real and Paul threatened to use this power to correct the sinning members of the church at Corinth: But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:19&20) Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. (2 Corinthians 13:3&10)
Acts 19:13: Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Acts 19:14: And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Acts 19:15: And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Acts 19:16: And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Acts 19:17: And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
When there is something genuine, the counterfeit form would show up. When there is the true Lord Jesus Christ, there will be an anti-Christ. When there are ministers of the Lord, there will be ministers of Satan: Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:15) So here was an apostle of the Lord Jesus who possessed great power to perform miracles and these false workers who claimed to possess powers also showed up. The powers possessed by Paul were real and everyone there knew it.
So some vagabond Jews thought they could pretend they possessed the powers of Paul and they tried to venture into this spiritual business of casting out evil spirits. They thought they could fake it until they made it perhaps because of their connection with a chief of the priests as their father. The apostle Paul was a Pharisee and not a priest but these Jews thought their connection with the priesthood would offer them power and even protection. They could not be more wrong. Their entire operation was a disaster. Not only they could not perform what Paul did, they were overcome by the evil spirit. These evil spirits knew Paul as they had had numerous encountered with him having been driven out by Paul. But who were these clowns trying to impersonate the person of Paul? These fakers thought they could carry out this spiritual business venturing into the domain of darkness by casting out evil spirits via proxies. They made a fool out of themselves and they became victims of these evil spirits who had them for lunch. This incident no doubt elevated the status of Paul even more and no one would even want to try to fake Paul to perform such spiritual feat whether for fame or for monetary gain. Most importantly, the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified and fear fell upon the residents in the city.
Acts 19:18: And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Acts 19:19: Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Acts 19:20: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Acts 19:21: After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
Acts 19:22: So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
Paul’s ministry was indeed flourishing in Ephesus. Many who believed came to him to confess and showed their work of repentance. Those who were involved in the dark arts of wickedness destroyed their former crafts and paraphernalia before all men. Such was their testimony of their salvation in Christ. These believers in Christ meant business and they were serious with their walk with the Lord. The monetary value involved in this destruction was huge and the word of God grew mightily and prevailed over the forces of darkness in the city. Just when Paul was at the pinnacle of success in his ministry there, he purposed that he would go to Jerusalem again and then eventually see Rome.
Previously during his second mission trip he made a vow to keep the feast at Jerusalem and he would not remain in Ephesus despite the Jews’ request for him to stay longer with them. Now having come back to minister in Ephesus and basking in great success, he was going to make another trip to Jerusalem. Paul was an apostle of the Gentiles and not an apostle of the circumcision so he should not be getting involved in the affairs of the Jews in Jerusalem. The conference in Jerusalem in Acts 15 indicated Paul should minister to the Gentiles. That was the decision that was reached back then during the dispute concerning the issue of circumcision. In addition, he was more successful in the Gentile world then with the Jews in Jerusalem and so this time his desire to go to Jerusalem would cause him great trouble. The Lord had already graciously fulfilled his desire previously to visit Jerusalem and this time would be different. Before rolling out his plan, Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia first while he remained behind for a season.
Acts 19:23: And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
Acts 19:24: For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
Acts 19:25: Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
Acts 19:26: Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
Acts 19:27: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
Not long after trouble broke out and this time it was not the unbelieving Jews that were causing him trouble. Paul’s success with the gospel had penetrated deep into the Gentile world where many converts burnt their crafts and idols. This had severe financial implications for those who plied their trade on religious activities. Paul’s remarkable ministry had affected one sector of the economy of this religious sector and action was being taken against him. A man named Demetrius launched a strike with the help of his union of the same industry. The deep financial impact felt by these craftsmen were brought to the forefront as their income had deteriorated badly when sinners turned from idols to serve the true and living God. They saw their wealth vapourised as Paul continued with his ministry turning many sinners to Christ. These men instead of turning to Christ for salvation and provision turned to the people to complain. Belly worshippers would always look out for gain. They justified their charges claiming that the temple of Diana was in jeopardy and their goddess would be despised and her magnificence destroyed by Paul who had turned so many people to Christ. This was no small charge as the whole world worshipped this pagan goddess Diana.
Acts 19:28: And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
Acts 19:29: And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
So they managed to stir up the crowd and with great fury these pagans shouted and chanted for their goddess. Of course the whole city was filled with confusion because of the strike led by these idol-making craftsmen. In the midst of this uproar, the people caught Gaius and Aristarchus from Macedonia who were Paul’s companions in travel and brought them into the theatre where a large crowd could congregate. They would not relent until their demands were kept and they were out there hoping for compensation and to keep their jobs with the help of this crowd.
The modern English versions like the NKJV, NIV and NASB refused to translate this goddess as Diana and left it as Artemis. They forgot that this place Ephesus was in Asia where the Asiatics borrowed this Greek name for their deity Diana. If these modern perversions are trying to give English readers a more modern and up to date Bible, they have failed miserably. How many English readers are familiar with Artemis? Who would not know Diana in English?
Acts 19:30: And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
Acts 19:31: And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
Acts 19:32: Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Acts 19:33: And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
Acts 19:34: But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
Meanwhile Paul wanted to enter the theatre but was stopped by his disciples. Moreover, certain chief of Asia also advised Paul against venturing into the theatre himself with this crowd now mad with rage. They would not be in any mood to listen to Paul and neither would they be placated as this matter was getting out of hand. Emotions were running high and the theatre was indeed a dangerous place to venture into with these confused people not knowing what they want. Many of those who were in the theatre were actually kept in the dark why there was this great uproar. With the confusion persisted and the crowd getting rowdy, they drew Alexander from the multitude and the Jews were putting him forward as well expecting him to make his defence to the people. When Alexander tried to still the crowd to speak, he was not given a chance by these enraged people. All hell broke loose when they realised that Alexander was a Jew and they cried out for two hours to demonstrate the greatness of their goddess. Would the apostle Paul stand a chance to speak to these people and preach to them had he gone into the theatre? This was no doubt a Satanic instigation with so many people crying out for their idols for so long.
Acts 19:35: And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
Acts 19:36: Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
Acts 19:37: For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
Acts 19:38: Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
Acts 19:39: But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
Acts 19:40: For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
Acts 19:41: And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Eventually the town clerk managed to appease the people and there was silence for him to address them. He affirmed that the Ephesians were worshippers of their great goddess Diana and reminded them her image fell from Jupiter. All this Greek mythology was of course known to those present that day. As such he cautioned them not to do anything rashly as they had brought those men they accused to have caused them great humiliation concerning their goddess which could not be proven. Indeed these men were neither robbers of churches nor had they blasphemed their goddess. The whole episode was initiated by Demetrius and his craftsmen. They should not have instigated the people against Paul and bring them into this quarrel that had nothing to do with them. The court would be open to them for recourse should they feel they had a matter against Paul. They should have dealt with Paul and his disciples in a lawful manner. This unruly assembly could cause great trouble for them to answer to the authorities in Rome who might mistake them for rebellion. Thereafter, he dismissed the assembly.
Once again the modern English versions from the NKJV, NIV and NASB plead ignorance and translated Jupiter as heaven which is a totally different Greek word. Earlier they refused to translate the Greek word into English for Diana and now they translated Jupiter as heaven. Who do not know Jupiter is located in heaven? Why they cannot be more specific? Why are they so fearful about revealing that the image of Diana actually came down from Jupiter like those pagans in Ephesus who believed? Are they trying to cover up something sinister under the inspiration of the Devil? What do the Scriptures have to say about things coming down from heaven?
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (Matthew 24:29)
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (Luke 10:18)
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. (Revelation 9:1)
There are quite a few things that will fall from heaven. Stars do fall from heaven. Satan falls from heaven. Image from Jupiter could fall from heaven. What is so difficult for people to believe that their false gods actually come down from heaven?
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. (Acts 14:9-12)
Some years back when Paul healed a lame man, those pagans mistook Paul and Barnabas as their gods who came down to them. They believed their gods came down from above in the persons of Paul and Barnabas. So what is so wrong about these pagan Ephesians believing that the image of their goddess actually came down from Jupiter?
The same modern perversions are also guilty of giving English Bible readers a backward Bible by translating verse 37 as robbers of temples instead of churches. Who say pagan worshippers of Diana are only found in temples? They are found in churches as well in a different name called Mary. In fact, the church at Thyatira even had Jezebel as her prophetess: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (Revelation 2:20&21) If those modern versions could translate Jupiter as heaven knowing that Jupiter is definitely not the same as heaven, what is so wrong with the translators of the King James Bible giving modern reader a more accurate and updated modern institution of worship called churches with Diana as their goddess? As usual, the King James Bible gives the reader a practical Bible that is ever applicable.
Therefore, Paul was delivered from trouble even during this incident where the people could have torn him to pieces. The Lord was watching over this uproar and used the town clerk to assuage the crowd. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverb 21:1) Just as when Satan thought he could have the upper hand, the Lord intervened and the apostle could continue his ministry preaching the gospel to great and small. Hence Paul’s remarkable ministry with the Ephesians to had to end and he had to depart to move to his next destination where he could minister to those in need of his presence. From then on Paul would be heading for trouble for refusing to heed the leadership of the Holy Spirit for being adamant about going to Jerusalem. Notwithstanding, the Lord still watched over this faithful servant who had suffered much for His name’s sake.
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