Acts 19

Acts_19
12/14/08

Acts_19 Paul in Ephesus
I. Twelve filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:1-7 (NKJV)
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.
A. While Apollos who we met last time was building on the foundation laid by Paul in Corinth, Paul made good on his promise (18:21) to return to Ephesus after his trip to Jerusalem.
1. Arriving back on Ephesus Paul encounters several people who are described to us as disciples depending (about twelve men according to verse-7).
a. Debate is ongoing as to whether they were actually believers or not, they were apparently disciples of John the Baptist, similar in understanding to Apollos having incomplete knowledge.
(1) They are not likely representative of any believers Aquila and Priscilla had been ministering to in Ephesus.
2. Here is what we can say for sure about them they had faith but incomplete knowledge, and there was something lacking spiritually in them that Paul noticed.
a. He asked them "did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" to which they responded “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
(1) Most commentators suggest that this probably means that they had not heard that He had been given or was being given which would be consistent with what Jesus taught in.
John 7:39 (NKJV)
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
b. And then he asked them “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

c. Paul clarified the message of John the Baptist for them explaining that his message wad fulfilled in Jesus, believing they were baptized again only this time in the name of the Lord Jesus, publically identifying their selves with Jesus by faith.
d. And when Paul laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
3. We are not told what it was that Paul saw lacking in their walk that prompted him to ask if they had received the Holy Spirit, but it is a question pertinent to all of us.
a. Chances are that if God's word is drudgery for you, witnessing is a burden, worship is dull and you have no heart for it then you have not received the Holy Spirit.
(1) Perhaps you have incomplete knowledge or you have never asked for God's Spirit to come upon you for His enabling power for your walk and witness, we will be available after service to pray with you.
b. Or perhaps you once had that excitement for the things of God, but you have lost it, maybe you are filling your life up on other things and they are crowding out the things of God, kind of like filling up on junk food and not feeding on anything nutritious.
(1) Ask God to show you what you’re letting into your life and allowing to crowd Him out.
(a) Then respond, tell someone you trust to help you and encourage you...
II. 8-10
Acts 19:8-10 (NKJV)
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.
A. Then Paul began ministering in the synagogue we are told "boldly" for three months ( which is probably a record for Paul) reasoning and persuading them concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
1. This boldness that Paul had came from the Holy Spirit at work in his life, it wasn't natural but supernatural, and it was something Paul didn't take for granted as being a permanent part of him, but he saw it as something to be maintained.

a. I know this because of his prayer request in his letter to the Ephesians and the context was spiritual armor needed for the day to day battles we face.
Ephesians 6:18-20 (NKJV)
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(1) If Paul needed such help so do you and I.
(2) But it is also true if Paul received such help so can you and I.
(a) So be encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit and the help He gives.
B. Now at the end of three months of reasoning in the synagogue some (not all) were hardened and did not believe and so Paul moved shop with those who believed and began to teach daily in the school of Tyrannus.
1. Paul wrote to Timothy a young pastor:
2 Timothy 2:14 (NKJV)
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NKJV)
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
a. So most likely when the reasoning got to the point where it was more about winning a debate than effective reasoning Paul simply withdrew and ministered to those that were interested in truth and not simply wanting to debate.
(1) What a great lesson for us, be ready to give answers and to reason, to present and represent Jesus to others, but don't just look to win debates, there comes a point where we need to walk away and pray more...
2. Teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus - so many of us have a hard time committing to weekly attendence, let alone coming to the midweek study, and personal reading and study time; but the implication of this statement is convicting:
a. One Greek manuscript adds that he was teaching daily from 11 to 4 which is consistent with the pattern of there work day.
7:00 - 11:00 work
11:00 - 4:00 break
4:00 - 9:00 work
b. We know that during this time Paul was working at his trade.
Acts 20:34 (NKJV)
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
c. So Paul would work then during the hours of his break time would teach, and undoubtedly there many who were being taught by him who were there on there break time to hear the word of God.
(1) For Paul clearly a labor of love.
d. And the teaching hall of Tyrannus was available because they were at break.
e. What might be said for the priority of God in our lives when we compare ourselves to this example, and I wonder if this might explain why so many of us go through such dry seasons spiritually.
(1) Watch out for pride and legalism here though.
3. And this was the routine for two years.
a. And so effective was the work going on that gospel “went out” from Ephesus throughout the province of Asia (on the west coast of modern day Turkey.
(1) The churches at Colosse, Laodecia, and Hieropolis were founded during this time, and some believe that all seven churches of Revelation 2-3 were founded at this time.
III. 11-12
Acts 19:11-12 (NKJV)
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.
A. God worked UNUSUAL miracles by the hands of Paul, so that people were healed by and demons cast out through contact with Paul's sweat bands and aprons.
1. These were unusual miracles
2. There was no magic power in the items, they no doubt were useful in triggering faith in those needing healing.
3. We know that Ephesus was city full of superstition and magic practices.
4. We also know that God used miracles to validate the ministry of the Apostles, so evidently God granted these miracles in unusual ways to validate the ministry of Paul.
IV. 13-16
Acts 19:13-16 (NKJV)
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.
A. There were itinerate Jewish exhorsist who would travel about and attrmpt to conjure up evil spirits to bring them out of people
Matthew 12:27 (NKJV)
27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
1. And seven son of Sceva who is described to us as a chief priest attempted to invoke the name of Jesus whom Paul preached to cast out the demons, themselves having no relationship with Christ personally.
a. The demonic spirit spoke to them Jesus I know (ginosko by interaction and experience), and Paul I know (epistami - to know about and understand) but who are you.
b. Then the man in whom the demon was became supernaturally strong and beat them all up, and they ran out of the house naked and wounded.
B. Jesus we know and Paul we know...
1. Indicative of an organized effort against those who are God's, an enemy with a strategy!
V. 17-20 The result of this encounter
Acts 19:17-20 (NKJV)
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. The result was fear fell on both Jews and Greek throughout the city health fear both of demons and esteem for Christ
1. It would seem that many Christians (many who had believed) had become caught up in spiritism and sorcery and they came confessing their evil deeds
a. The power was thought to be in their secrecy and was renounced in the telling of them.
2. Also many who practiced magic (perierga curious an old word which originally meant a piddelr about trifles, a busybody if you will, but had come to mean impertinent and magical things. It is a technical term for magic) brought their book of magic and burned them.
a. And there were a lot of them brought and burned.
B. And in addition to the repentance of evil deed and the destruction evil materials, we read that the word of God grew and prevailed or gained strength.
VI. 21-22
Acts 19:21-22 (NKJV)
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.
A. Now prompted by the Holy Spirit sets his sites on Jerusalem then Rome, another shift in ministry begins at this point in Acts.
1. Paul sent Timothy and Erastus ahead of him to Macedonia while he stayed a little longer in Ephesus.
2. He would then travel through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem, probably to pick up the collection which was being taken for the believers in Jerusalem.
VII. 23-28
Acts 19:23-28 (NKJV)
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!”
A. Ephesus was the capital city of the region larger and more spectacular than Corinth, and the temple of Artemis that was there was considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
1. The idol makers were getting rich from trinkets and such that they sold to tourists and pilgrims.
2. But as the word of God was preached and the truth was embraced, the demand for such things as Demetrius and those of his profession produced was drying up.
a. During the Welch revival of 1901 the bars in Wales all closed up because there was no interest or demand for alcohol.
3. Paul was persuasively teaching people that things made by the hands of men were not gods.
4. The speech of Demetrius instigated a riot and
VIII. 29-34
Acts 19:29-34 (NKJV)
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!”
A. The riot gains momentum and the whole city rushes to the theater grabbing Gaius and Aristarchus along the way
1. Paul wants to go in and make a defense but the disciples would not let him.
2. Then they grab Alexander a Jew and monotheist out of the crowd to make a defense but anti-semitism took over and the crowd went crazy chanting “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” for two hours.
IX. 35-41
Acts 19:35-41 (NKJV)
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.
A. Finally the city clerk comes in quiets and disperses the crowd letting them know that there was a lawful way to deal with their complaint if they had one, but as it was they were at risk of evoking the wrath of Rome for their unlawful assembly.
1. Note what he says 37"For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess."
a. So we know Paul and company were preaching a pro Jesus message, and not an against everything else message.
(1) While there is a time and a place to point out what we disagree with or to call out problematic teaching and teachers the primary message we need to take to the world is who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
X.