Acts 19

Last chapter, Apollos is instructed by Priscilla and Aquila in "the rest of the story". In 19, we see how Paul deals with faithful followers that don't have all the Gospel either. It helps us to see how we should encourage others in love, when they don't have the full meaning of Christ. We are not to judge, belittle or point out their shortcomings. We are to challenge, instruct and encourage.

Paul meets a group of men who are also "partially saved". It seems that the concern of the church now is to make sure believers have all the info. These days you will find people who have just attended a revival, concert or some Christian retreat. They "get saved" but then what happens afterwards? What is the next step?
Discipleship!

These men are quite possibly believers of John the Baptist's ministry or they could be Apollos' converts--which would make sense since we just met him in chapter 18.

So once Paul instructed them, they believed and received the Holy Spirit. The evidence of this is that they spoke in different languages and prophesied. What better place to start preaching in another language than in Ephesus, a coastal city and Rome's capital for Asia!

Notice how he approaches them, he asks a question that would answer their level of knowing. One question we could use today is, "When you attend church, where do you go?" Their answer will tell you if they are regular attenders or if they hit Christmas and Easter only.

Then he asks what were they baptized into? This is also a key question when you relate to others. "When were you baptized?" If they say infant or grown up...it's a huge clue where their walk is.

This question by Paul implies that the reception of the Holy Spirit is closely tied to proper baptism. (Acts 2:38)

The People's New Testament says this about this "second" baptism: "Why, then, were these disciples re-baptized? The only explanation is that their baptism took place after John's baptism had been superseded by that of Christ, or after the Savior had been crucified."

Remember, these people had no internet, no newspapers. So it might be a long while before the word gets to them about Christ. John told them Christ was coming, they had no idea He had already come.

The Matthew Henry Commentary says this, "yet all who profess to be disciples of Christ, should be called on to examine whether they have received the seal of the Holy Ghost, in his sanctifying influences, to the sincerity of their faith."

In verse 8 Paul proceeds to the synagogue to teach. We are now 17 years after his conversion. He remains there for a few years.

In verse 9, the men of the synagogue started to speak out and blaspheme. They have heard enough. Can you imagine these men? All their lives they were told to look for the Messiah, and this man Paul tells them He's already been and gone...and they missed Him? I wonder if that anger was frustration, turned into denial...

So Paul removes his disciples and goes to another venue: Tyrannus' rabbinical school or lecture hall. He had access to this from the sixth to the tenth hour. The hottest part of the day, so it would have been available since nobody wants to teach in the midday heat. He used this building for 2 years. Which means he spent 3 years total in Ephesus. Paul had a huge impact on this pagan town, just by the reaction of the citizens.

Paul continued to teach, preach and perform miracles. God even used pieces of fabric that Paul touched to heal people. God can and will use any person or any thing for His glory.

In verse 13-16 we see an example of some traveling Jewish exorcists. It was common for some Jews to claim they could expel demons. And they see Paul working his "magic" with the name of Christ and they try this new "incantation". These seven sons of a chief priest named Sceva, tried to use this on a man possessed.

I am reminded of James 2:19--You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

In verse 15, the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"

And they were promptly pounded by this possessed man and chased.

Before you do spiritual battle, it is good to make sure you have your armor on! And the pieces is the helmet of salvation--be sure you know that you know you are saved.

Matthew Henry said, "If we resist the devil by faith in Christ, he will flee from us; but if we think to resist him by the using of Christ's name, or his works, as a spell or charm, Satan will prevail against us."

Like the pagan converts in Ephesus, we need to have true repentance of our past sins. Have you "burned the bridges" to those sins?

"If we desire to be in earnest in the great work of salvation, every pursuit and enjoyment must be given up which hinders the effect of the gospel upon the mind, or loosens its hold upon the heart." MH

Hmmm...I think we got confirmation of that message in Pastor Randy's sermon today! Are we lukewarm or on fire for Jesus?

The example of repentance in verses 17-20 was huge. Ephesus was crawling with the occult, so this burning of priceless incantation books made it clear where they stood. When the people who really know you see your repentance--they will believe there's something better. Do we reflect Christ? Do we glorify God in our lives enough so it's plain where we stand?

Paul makes "purposes in his spirit" to travel to Jerusalem and wants to see Rome. Sometimes when we make plans, God has something else in mind.

In Ephesus, there was a world renown temple built for the god Artimis. Most know her as Diana. This temple was built out of white marble, 425 ft long by 220 ft wide, with 127 columns. It contained an image that was to have fallen from heaven. It was visited by thousands and of course with all those "spiritual tourists", someone had to make money off them. So we meet a silversmith...who employs artisans to make miniature silver temples. These were sold to tourists. I am sure it was quite the income for this group of people. And they see in Paul a threat to their livelihood.

When you threaten some one's way to provide for their family, as well as their religion, you've got quite a fight on your hands. This Demetrius really stirred up the people, so much so that there was a mob of thousands that made their way into the local theater. They carried many who weren't sure what was going on. Have you ever been caught up in a mob? It's a scary thing, much like a tsunami--people are carried by the swell of their violent emotions.

When Alexander, a Jew, was pulled out of the crowd to say...hey, these guys are not with us...the Gentiles in the mob wouldn't hear it. In fact, it took the city clerk to stand up and remind them that if the ruckus kept going, that Rome would step in and not only would they lose their income and religion, they could quite possibly lose their lives.

The politician got through to them, and disbanded the mob.

Paul was kept safe by his disciples, even though he wanted to speak. I wonder, what effect he would've had...