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Acts 18-20 Listen 
Paul goes to Corinth (Acts 18:1-17)
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
5 ¶ When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
9 ¶ Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 ¶ When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 ¶ And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you.
15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.”
16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.
The Roman Emperor Claudius
Claudius was the fourth Roman emperor, reigning for over 13 years (41–54 AD). Following Caligula's rule, in which he demonstrated great animosity toward the Jews throughout the empire, Claudius allowed the Jews in all parts of the empire to observe their laws and customs without persecution. Ironically, the Jews of Rome, who had become very numerous, were not allowed to have corporate gatherings there. Later on during the reign of Claudius, the Jews were banished from Rome altogether; among these were Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2). With the reign of Claudius is also associated the famine which was foretold by Agabus in Acts 11:28. Classical writers during that period also report that the reign of Claudius was characterized as a time of general distress and scarcity over the whole world. |
Paul leaves Athens and arrives in Corinth. There, he hitches up with Aquila and Priscilla who were tent makers like himself and stays in Corinth for about a year and a half. During the reign of Emperor Claudius, the Jews had been asked to leave Rome; that's how this couple happened to settle in Corinth. Silas and Timothy rejoin Paul in verse 5; Paul had left them in Berea prior to going to Athens back in Acts 17:10-15 (see notes).
There was apparently a shift in Paul's preaching to these Jewish Corinthians after Silas and Timothy arrive when you look closely at verses 4 and 5. After their arrival, Paul put the pieces together that he had apparently been laying down in the weeks prior to their arrival by declaring that Jesus is, indeed, the Messiah. Paul continued to preach in the synagogue every Sabbath resulting in the salvation of many, including the ruler of the synagogue, Crispus. You may recall in I Corinthians 1:14-16 (see notes) that Paul refers to Crispus as one who was baptized by Paul himself.
Toward the end of his stay in Corinth, the Jewish leaders attempted to take Paul to Roman court for trial. But when Gallio, the Proconsul of the province, realized that this was a dispute over the application of Jewish doctrine (Christianity was recognized by Rome as a sect of Judaism), he dismissed the case, saying that it was no concern of his. But wait! There's more! When the Greeks saw that the case was dismissed, they took this opportunity to do a little Jew bashing; they took Sosthenes, the new ruler of the synagogue (I guess they held him accountable for the charges against Paul), and beat him. Now that's a change; usually Paul gets the beating! Well, forget about preaching in the synagogue any longer, Paul! However, though it's not conclusive that it's the same person, I Corinthians 1:1 (see notes) does make reference to "Sosthenes our brother." Perhaps the new ruler of the synagogue subsequently got saved also.
Incidentally, Paul really stirred things up back at the synagogue at Corinth when in verse 6 he declared, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." This is not the first time Paul had used this leverage on Jewish antagonists. He had made a similar statement to the Jews back in Antioch in Acts 13:46 (see notes) after a similar row fomented by Jewish leaders during Paul's first missionary journey. Isn't it ironic that Gentiles heard the Gospel message from Paul as a result of the antagonistic rejection of the message by the Jews?
It's back to Antioch (Acts 18:18-22)
18 ¶ So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,
21 but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
22 ¶ And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.
As things had heated up in Corinth, it's time to head back to Syria (Antioch). Note that Paul was finishing up on a Nazarite vow. This vow had to be completed at Jerusalem. There the hair would be presented to God and sacrifices offered according to Numbers 6:1-21 (see notes). It is important to once again emphasize that Christianity was regarded by the Roman Empire as a sect of Judaism during this period. Paul is looking for opportunities to take the Gospel message to Jews and Gentiles alike. Therefore, it was quite natural for Paul to engage in the Nazarite ritual in the process of transitioning Jewish thought from Judaism to faith in Jesus Christ. Paul summarizes his philosophy regarding this incident in I Corinthians 9:19-20 (see notes), "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law." Paul saw no difficulty in practicing those traditional rituals that did not compromise the Gospel message in order to win Jews to Jesus Christ as their Savior.
These verses draw to a conclusion Paul's second missionary journey (see map). We see here that after leaving Corinth he passed through Cenchrea, sailed over to Ephesus, and then he sailed down to Jerusalem's port city of Caesarea. From there we see in verse 22, "And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch." The phrase "gone up" is the manner in which they referred to going to Jerusalem regardless of its geographical direction. The phrase "saluted the church" undoubtedly refers to the church at Jerusalem. We do know from verse 21 that Paul was compelled to go to Jerusalem to complete his Nazarite vow. After completing his business in Jerusalem, he "went down to Antioch." In Old and New Testament terminology, leaving Jerusalem to anywhere in any direction was "going down." From Antioch in verse 23, Paul embarks upon his third missionary journey.
Incidentally, we see that Priscilla and Aquila accompanied Paul on a portion of this trip, but remained in Ephesus after Paul departed for Jerusalem. Their presence in Ephesus plays a role in the education of Apollos in the verses following.
Then there was Apollos (Acts 18:23-28)
23 After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
24 ¶ Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Verse 23 marks the beginning of Paul's third missionary journey, which begins from Antioch in Syria. In verse 24, we find the first mention of Apollos, an eloquent man with learning gaps when it came to the Messiah. He only knew of the baptism of John. You will recall in the preceding verses that Paul had left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus as he departed for Jerusalem. It is these two who take on the mission of educating Apollos regarding the whole story of Jesus. Apollos departed Ephesus prior to Paul's arrival.
News traveled a little slowly back then. It's been over 20 years since the Day of Pentecost, but Apollos knew nothing of any of that. As a matter of fact, since the baptism of John preceded the entire earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, he was likely ignorant of that as well. However, the trip from Jerusalem to Ephesus was over 1,000 miles by land or 600 miles across the Mediterranean Sea. Word just traveled slowly about anything over that long of a distance. Paul had just left Ephesus on his way to Antioch. After Apollos was brought up to speed on Jesus and his Messiahship - including the death, burial, resurrection and fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic prophecy; he became a mighty champion and preached Jesus to the Jews. As a matter of fact, Apollos became a well-respected teacher in Corinth - receives mention in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians in 1:12; 3:4-6, 22; 4:6; 16:12.
Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-10)
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” ¶ So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 ¶ And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” ¶ So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 ¶ Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 ¶ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
8 ¶ And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
In Ephesus Paul finds some other people similar to Apollos who haven't been updated in a long time - a really long time. Like Apollos, they are only familiar with the preaching and baptizing of John the Baptist. It doesn't actually say here that they were not familiar with the ministry of Christ himself, but it is implied. After Paul preaches to them, they are baptized and afterward duplicate the miracles of the Day of Pentecost. This incident stands alone as unique - people discovered 20 years after the establishment of the church who are totally unfamiliar with those events. Look at verse 10, "And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." Paul stayed in this part of Asia Minor and did a thorough job of evangelizing this part of the world which is today known as Turkey.
This passage has come to be the foundation (along with others) for a "second blessing" doctrine prevalent in charismatic and pentecostal churches. To them, the passage provides the foundation for a doctrine that the Holy Spirit is not necessarily received by a Believer at salvation, but must follow as a second act of grace accompanied by speaking in tongues.
To properly address this notion, several New Testament principles must be considered as follows:
The passages listed above give us every occurrence of speaking in tongues (stated or implied) in the New Testament. In order to properly understand the issue, each passage must be fully understood in its proper context.
The sons of Sceva bite off more than they can chew! (Acts 19:11-20)
11 ¶ Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 ¶ And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 ¶ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
A lot of miracles are taking place as a result of Paul's ministry. Unfortunately, there is a thriving business today based upon verse 12, the sale by charlatans of prayer cloths designed to bring special miracles and healings to the purchasers. There is no doctrinal basis for this deceitful practice. However, the miracles centered around Paul's ministry are impressive to all around Ephesus. Subsequently, some Jewish sons of the local synagogue priest decide to trail on the coattails of Paul's success by casting out demons through the power of Jesus Christ. Only one problem though, they themselves showed no signs of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So, when they tried, verse 15 says that the evil spirit spoke back to them saying, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" The man in whom the evil spirit resided leaped on them and overtook them. Note: only a fireman should attempt to put out a multi-alarm fire. Notice that the seven sons were left naked and wounded. (You gotta love this story!) Big things took place in Ephesus; verses 17-20 tell us that the Word of God prevailed and many forsook their practices of witchcraft.
Paul interferes with the local economy (Acts 19:21-41)
21 ¶ When these things were accomplished, 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.”
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
23 ¶ And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.
30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
35 ¶ And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?
36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.
37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.”
41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
In verse 22 we see that Paul stayed in Asia for awhile, but he sent Timothy and Erastus on to Macedonia. Paul makes reference to the anticipated arrival of Timothy to Corinth in I Corinthians 16:10 (see notes).
Here's the deal. Paul was preaching in Ephesus (in modern-day Turkey) and many folks got saved. Notice the reference to Christianity in verse 23, "And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way." Well, of course, those who received Christ were opposed to pagan temples and idol worship. So were the Jews, but the text would indicate that, for the sake of the economy, they turned a blind eye to this idol worship. You see, this temple of Diana was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. It was huge - 33% larger than a football field, and it included this giant statue identified as Diana that they claimed fell from the sky. Since the tourist trade was an important part of the economy in Ephesus, these same tourists bought souvenir statues made by the local silversmiths.
These local silversmiths are the guys who panicked when they saw so many people around them getting saved and forsaking idol worship. The meeting started at one place, the people were worked into a frenzy, and the meeting moved to the open theater which seated about 24,000. When Alexander stood up to represent the Jews, we get the sense that the Jews did not want to rock the boat. The people attempt to shout him down for two hours by crying out in unison, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" A city official finally is able to calm the crowd so Alexander can speak. If Rome hears about riots in Ephesus, who knows what might happen. He calms the people by pointing out that Paul and company were "neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess." This served to appease the people by, in their minds, diminishing the threat to the economy, and the local official convinces the people to go home before things get out of hand. Paul then realizes that it might be time to leave...and he does. This just goes to show you that people will compromise principles for money and security...as had the local Jewish population.
Paul heads for Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20:1-6)
1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.
2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece
3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.
6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
He heads through Macedonia (modern-day Albania) and ends up in Greece. After three months, the Jews became agitated against him once again - plotted to kill him. Paul took a detour rather than heading directly back to Syria because of this threat. So...it's back up through Macedonia and east to Philippi from which they sailed back toward Syria. We see that Paul had some disciples as travel companions in verse 4. You will notice from Luke's personal pronoun "we" in verse 6 that he was traveling with Paul at this time.
A guy falls out of a third-story window (Acts 20:7-16)
7 ¶ Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.
9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”
11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.
12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
13 ¶ Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
On his way back, Paul stops for seven days in Troas. After supper he begins preaching. A guy (Eutychus) who was sitting in the window on the third floor falls asleep and tumbles three stories. Luke declares that he "was taken up dead" in verse 9. Paul arrives on the scene and declares that "his life is in him." This passage has provided me much comfort in my preaching ministry; if Paul couldn't keep everyone awake, how can I be expected to do so? Paul then continues his journey; his goal is to reach Jerusalem by the Festival of Pentecost. Watch it, Paul! Jerusalem may not be a very friendly environment.
Paul speaks to the Elders from Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38)
17 ¶ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25 ¶ “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 ¶ “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 ¶ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Paul is headed for Jerusalem, but before he leaves Asia Minor, he calls all the elders from Ephesus down to Miletus that he might address them. One church I attended many years ago referred to Acts 20:20 as the "Acts 20/20 vision." Read it along with verse 21, and you'll see what they mean. That's "20/20 vision." Get it? (Pun intended) Paul is pretty sure that his trip to Jerusalem will be something less than enjoyable. Look at verses 23-24, "except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Paul knows that he'll be imprisoned and afflicted in Jerusalem, but he expresses in verse 24 that it does not matter; it is necessary to "finish my race with joy." It is interesting to compare this with Paul's last writing in II Timothy 4:6-7 (see notes) when he writes, " For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Paul is convinced he must go to Jerusalem in order to "finish" his "race." He tells them that they will not see him again after this day, and he warns them to avoid false teachers. And then...it's off to Jerusalem. His arrival there is recorded beginning in Acts 21:15 (see notes).
Paul carefully words his statement of verse 21 when he speaks of the salvation process by specifying, "...repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Many people today incorrectly teach the doctrine of repentance. The Old Testament Hebrew word generally translated repentance is "nacham," often associated with sorrow. The New Testament Greek word ("metanoia") holds no connotation as such. It literally is defined as "to change one's mind or attitude." That's why Paul is careful to specify here, "repentance toward God." Salvation requires one to turn to God. Those teachers today who have incorrectly defined "repentance" as "being sorry for one's sins" tend to present a confusing salvation invitation. We see in II Corinthians 7:10 (see notes) that "godly sorrow" and "repentance" are two separate concepts. Paul's salvation message was simply two fold, (1) "repentance toward God and (2) faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
In understanding the process of salvation, it is important to recognize that the Holy Spirit incorporates both repentance and faith into one seamless process. Paul presents the salvation concept in Galatians 2:15-21 (see notes). Read the notes I have provided there very carefully to understand that "repentance" and "faith" are not to be separated. The Holy Spirit provides both in the salvation experience. In other words, you cannot have one without the other. Salvation is the supernatural act of God through the power of the Holy Spirit that provides us with the complete package necessary for eternal life.
A doctrinal note about elders, bishops and pastors:
From a technical perspective, this chapter reinforces a doctrine about terminology used with regard to the pastoral ministry. In verse 17, the men who are called together are referred to as "elders." The Greek word there is "presbuturos." In verse 28, Paul refers to them as "overseers." That Greek word is "episkopos." It is used 7 times in the New Testament and is translated "bishop" in the other 6 occurrences. That means that these "elders" are also referred to as "bishops." There is no distinction in scripture between "elders" and "bishops." But wait! There's more! Verse 28 also contains the Greek verb, "poimaino," translated "feed" here. The definition of this word is "to tend a flock as a shepherd." It just so happens that the noun form of this word, "poimaine" is translated "shepherd" in every scriptural occurrence except one, Ephesians 4:11 (see notes), where it is translated "pastor." In fact, the word "pastor" is only found one time in the New Testament and 8 times in the Old Testament and refers to the shepherds. It's also worth noting that Peter uses the same three Greek words in I Peter 5:1-5 (see notes), the only difference being that he uses the verb form "episkopeo" (translated "oversight") instead of the noun form "episkopos." Conclusion: There is no distinction between a pastor, a bishop or an elder in the scripture. They all refer to the exact same office. Some have suggested that the three words speak to different aspects of the pastoral ministry. Perhaps, but it is difficult to see the distinction. They are all scriptural terms designated for those who lead Believers in the local church.
For a more comprehensive look at the office of pastor/bishop/elder, click here.