THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

MJ3-007

🧭 Macedonia & Greece — Strengthening the Churches

The uproar in Ephesus has ended. Paul now turns westward again, traveling through Macedonia and into Greece.

This stage of the journey is not defined by one dramatic confrontation, but by something equally important: Paul strengthening believers and encouraging the churches.

“Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece.” — Acts 20:2, NKJV

FEATURED MUSEUM ARTWORK

Paul Returns Through Macedonia

Museum reconstruction of Paul traveling through Macedonia and Greece while strengthening the churches — **Artist's Reconstruction — Acts 20:1–6** This museum artwork presents Paul's ministry through Macedonia and Greece. The roads, settlements, gathering places, landscape, clothing, and individual scenes are interpretive, while Acts records Paul departing for Macedonia, encouraging believers with many words, spending three months in Greece, changing his return route because of a plot, and traveling again through Macedonia toward Troas.

Museum Collection: Third Missionary Journey Exhibit: MJ3-007 Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum Studio

The Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum & Resource Centre

Third Missionary Journey Permanent Collection

Strengthening the Churches

Acts 20:1–6

ExhibitMJ3-007

RegionMacedonia & Greece

Key FocusEncouragement, strengthening and perseverance

Journey StageWestward ministry and beginning of the return journey

Biblical Significance: Paul did not merely establish churches and move on. He returned to believers he had previously served, encouraging them and strengthening their faith. Acts 20 reveals the pastoral heart behind the missionary journeys: the Gospel was proclaimed, but disciples also had to be strengthened to endure.

LEAVING EPHESUS

Paul Calls the Disciples to Himself

After the uproar ceased, Paul gathered the disciples, embraced them, and departed for Macedonia.

The Ephesian chapter of the journey was closing, but Paul's responsibility toward the churches was not.

“After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.”
Acts 20:1, NKJV

THROUGH MACEDONIA

Encouraging Them with Many Words

Luke summarizes a large amount of ministry in a few words. Paul traveled through the region, visiting believers and speaking encouragement to them.

These were communities living out their faith in real cities and under real pressures. Paul's return reminded them that they were not forgotten.

MUSEUM OBSERVATION

Missionary work in Acts includes both reaching new people and returning to strengthen those who already believe.

THE MACEDONIAN ROAD

Churches Along the Way

01

Philippi

A major Macedonian church established during Paul's Second Missionary Journey.

02

Thessalonica

Believers there had endured opposition and received earlier teaching from Paul.

03

Berea

Acts earlier remembered the Bereans for receiving the word with readiness.

04

Greece

Paul continued south and remained in Greece for three months.

Acts 20 does not name every congregation Paul visited during this passage, so the museum treats the route as a regional ministry movement rather than assigning an undocumented stop to every city.

THREE MONTHS IN GREECE

Paul Remains for a Season

After passing through Macedonia, Paul came to Greece and stayed there for three months.

Luke gives only a brief description of this period in Acts, but it represents another sustained season of ministry before Paul begins his return eastward.

“...he came to Greece and stayed three months.”
Acts 20:2–3, NKJV

DANGER ON THE RETURN

A Plot Changes Paul's Route

Paul intended to sail toward Syria, but a plot against him caused the plan to change.

Instead of taking the expected sea route, he returned through Macedonia.

JOURNEY DECISION

Acts repeatedly shows Paul moving with purpose while also responding wisely when circumstances changed. The mission continued even when the route had to change.

THE TRAVELING COMPANY

Paul Was Not Traveling Alone

Companions from the Churches

Acts names Sopater of Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

A Mission Larger Than One Man

The traveling company reveals the growing network of believers and churches connected through the Gospel.

Paul's journeys were never simply the story of one isolated missionary.

ANCIENT TRAVEL PERSPECTIVE

From Ephesus into Macedonia and Greece

TRAVEL STATUS

This exhibit represents a substantial regional movement rather than one short city-to-city leg.

Paul travels from the Ephesian ministry sphere through Macedonia, into Greece, and then returns through Macedonia.

Because Acts summarizes the route and does not specify every stop, exact mileage varies according to the reconstructed itinerary. The museum therefore treats the distance for MJ3-007 as approximate.

THE HEART OF THE EXHIBIT

Strengthen What Has Already Been Planted

The dramatic events of Ephesus are behind Paul, but the quieter work of encouragement is no less important.

Churches need truth. They also need courage, perseverance, correction, fellowship, and faithful people willing to return and strengthen them.

MUSEUM REFLECTION

Sometimes the next assignment is not to begin something new. It is to strengthen what God has already planted.

LIFE APPLICATION

Who Are You Strengthening?

Paul invested time in people he had already taught. His ministry reminds us that spiritual encouragement is part of faithful discipleship.

CONSIDER

Is there someone God has placed in your life who does not need a new program or another project, but simply needs you to return, encourage them, and strengthen their faith?

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE...

The Journey Turns Toward Troas

Paul has returned through Macedonia. His companions travel ahead and wait at Troas.

After the Days of Unleavened Bread, Paul and his companions sail from Philippi and join them at Troas.

There, in an upper room, the next unforgettable event of the journey will unfold.

CONTINUE THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Next: Troas — Eutychus

You have completed Exhibit MJ3-007 — Macedonia & Greece: Strengthening the Churches.

CARRY THE WORD WITH YOU

“Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece.”
Acts 20:2, NKJV