Acts Chapter Nineteen
Read Acts 19:1-12
v1. “AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT, WHILE APOLLOS WAS
AT
In the
latter part of Acts chapter 18, Luke tells us about Paul going to
v.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.”
When Paul
arrives at
v.3 “And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye
baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.”
Paul, learning that they did not know what
they should about Christ then asks what should be an obvious question. “UNTO WHAT THEN WERE HE BAPTIZED?” They had been baptized, but why, for what
purpose? What does this tell us about
baptism today? That we can be baptized for
the wrong reasons, for the wrong purpose, not having been properly taught. Paul gives us a solution for this kind of
problem.
v.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.”
What was the purpose of
John the Baptizer?
Luke 1:17 “And he shall go before him in the spirit and
power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the
Lord.”
John’s purpose was to “MAKE READY A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD”. He baptized for the remission of sins but did not baptize people into Jesus Christ.
v.5 “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
When these men learned
the Word of God concerning Jesus Christ his Son; they were baptized again even
though they had been baptized with the baptism of John. We have no evidence that the apostles were
baptized again after Pentecost, we have
no evidence that anyone else who was baptized with John’s baptism was baptized
again though we could speculate that there were those present at Pentecost who
had been baptized by John the Baptizer.
Why are these people at
v.6-7 “And when Paul had
laid his hands upon them,
the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And
all the men were about twelve.”
Paul laid his hands upon them just
as Peter and John had done for the Samaritans in Acts
This is something that does not happen today, simply because the need for it has passed. We now have the fully revealed scripture that everyone can read and special guidance is no longer required. Also; since the word of God has been confirmed once by these signs, it is not necessary to continue to confirm that this is God’s revealed will.
v8. “AND HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE,
AND SPAKE BOLDLY FOR THE SPACE OF THREE MONTHS, DISPUTING AND PERSUADING THE
THINGS CONCERNING THE
For three months Paul preaches and teaches in the synagogue trying to persuade these Ephesian Jews to accept Jesus Christ. This is his pattern.
In Thessalonica Paul reasoned with the Jews for three weeks or three sabbath days.
Acts 17:2 “AND PAUL, AS HIS MANNER WAS, WENT IN UNTO THEM, AND THREE SABBATH DAYS REASONED WITH THEM OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES.”
In
Acts 18:4 “AND HE REASONED IN THE SYNAGOGUE EVERY SABBATH, AND PERSUADED THE JEWS AND THE GREEKS.”
The reaction was about the same, wasn’t it?
v9. “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
They spoke
evil of that way, what way? The same way
that Saul was going to
Acts 9:2 “AND DESIRED OF HIM LETTERS TO
It wasn’t unusual
for Paul to be criticized and spoken evil of was it?
II Timothy
But here the church is being evil spoken of as well. This is also a situation that is not unusual today; if we talking a group of people that are really the church that Jesus built. And this isn’t the only occasion that we find this occurring, for Peter tells us:
II Peter 2:2 “AND MANY SHALL FOLLOW THEIR PERNICIOUS WAYS; BY REASON OF WHOM THE WAY OF TRUTH SHALL BE EVIL SPOKEN OF.”
Paul does the only thing that he can do. He separates himself from those that would
not hear and teaches daily in a school that was owned by a man called
Tyrannus. This is sort of like our
brethren in
v10. “AND THIS CONTINUED BY THE SPACE OF TWO
YEARS; SO THAT ALL THEY WHICH DWELT IN
For two
years Paul continues in this region. The gospel is preached, not just in the
city of
v11. “AND GOD WROUGHT SPECIAL MIRACLES BY THE HANDS OF PAUL.”
God
wrought, God can suspend His laws of nature and the power to do that is found
only in the members of the Godhead. History
tells us that
v12. “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.”
All they had to do was have a
handkerchief that Paul had prepared, or an apron or some garment brought to the
sick person or the one possessed with the evil spirit and it could be
removed. False teachers have tried to
imitate Paul in this in my lifetime, selling handkerchiefs, prayer clothes,
etc. over radio and television. The
healing that Paul did, including the removal of evil spirits from people who were affected by them, was greater that any of
these magicians or sorcerers could perform.
One of the reasons that special powers were given to the apostles was to
confirm that they indeed came from God.
Read Acts 19:13-20
v.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.”
Vagabond or in the ASV
strolling Jews; those who traveled about from place to place and practiced
sorcery or exorcism. Jesus was accused
of the same kind of sorcery:
Luke
Exorcism comes from the
Greek “exorkizo” which means literally to “extract an
oath”. So these Jews used an oath as a
charm or spell. They thought that Paul
was just another one like them who had found a new, more powerful way to do
what they pretended to do.
v.14 “And there were
seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.”
History does not tell
who Sceva was. Some think that he was a
high priest others would translate the Greek as ruler rather than priest. This translation would indicate that he was
at least a chief of one of the 24 courses of priests who served the temple in
Jerusalem and my very well have been one of those to whom Jesus was speaking in
Luke 11:19. These seven traveling exorcists are his sons.
v.15 “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I
know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
These men attempt to
remove an evil spirit from a man using the name of Jesus Christ, as perhaps
they had seen Paul do. The response was
I know Jesus Christ and I know Paul, who are you?
v.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.”
This evil spirit not
only speaks through the person that he controls but exercises physical control
as well. He generates the strength to
give these pretenders the thrashing of their lives. Greek scholars tell us that the word
translated “NAKED” probably only means that their garments were torn, not that
they were rendered completely naked,
wounded means physical wounds.
v.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.”
This episode with the
sons of Sceva becomes known throughout
Acts
v.18 “And many that
believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.”
This fear of the name
of Jesus Christ not only affected the sorcerers and idolaters in
v.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.”
Apparently some of
those converted in
They “BROUGHT THEIR
BOOKS TOGETHER AND BURNED THEM BEFORE ALL.”
These books were very valuable.
They contained the incantations, recipes for love potions, formulas for
casting out evil spirits and all manner of things these people needed to
practice their magic. This burning was
not only a confession of their past deeds but public and visible repentance as
well. Luke records the extent of their
sacrifice and the value of these books as 50 thousand pieces of silver. A piece of silver in this context is probably
the Greek drachme, worth about 20 cents, but was a
day’s wages.
v.20 “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”
These people now turned
their energy to the Word of God. The
full meaning of the word translated “MIGHTILY” means to prevail with
“overpowering force and strength, which nothing could resist.” It is similar to that we find in
Acts 6:7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in
“THE WORD OF GOD” grew
and gained strength, consequently there was a very large church at
Read Acts 19:21-41
v.21 “After these things were ended, Paul purposed
in the spirit, when he had passed through
The church is strong
and growing; the entire district has been covered with the Word of God, so now
Paul turns his attention to other regions where he has preached before. He has two purposes for his journey. One is to build up the churches that he has
planted, the second to collect for the needs of the poor saints at
v.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 didn’t want to
leave
v.23 “And the same time
there arose no small stir about that way.”
Luke tells us that at
this time that a major controversy arose about “THAT WAY”, the way of Jesus
Christ. Paul writes the brethren about
it as follows:
II Corinthians 1:8 “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant
of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure,
above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:”
v.24 “For a certain man named Demetrius,
a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto
the craftsmen;”
The church and the word
of God has now gotten in the way of some very
successful businessmen in
v.25 “Whom he called together with the workmen of
like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.”
So Demetrius starts to
gather the forces needed to oppose Paul.
He calls together the workmen of his trade and makes them aware of the
danger to their means of wealth. In
Roman times guilds or unions existed for most trades, much the same as we have
union locals in many places today. It
wasn’t hard to get them together, nor to persuade them that they had a problem.
v.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:”
Their problem is not
only found in the city of
Psalms 115:4-8 “THEIR IDOLS are
SILVER AND GOLD, THE WORK OF MEN’S HANDS.
THEY HAVE MOUTHS, BUT THEY SPEAK NOT: EYES HAVE THEY, BUT THEY SEE NOT:
THEY HAVE EARS, BUT THEY HEAR NOT: NOSES HAVE THEY ,
BUT THEY SMELL NOT: THEY HAVE HANDS, BUT THEY HANDLE NOT: FEET HAVE THEY, BUT
THEY WALK NOT: NEITHER SPEAK THEY THOUGH THEIR THROAT. THEY THAT MAKE THEM ARE LIKE UNTO THEM; so is
EVERY ONE THAT TRUSTETH IN THEM.”
v.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.”
Demetrius follows the
practice of what we today find in politics and in most new media; spin
doctors. He presents his problem by the
best means to accomplish his purpose of stirring up opposition. Not only is their craft in danger but also
the temple of the great goddess of their city.
The
v.28 “And
when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out,
saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.”
Demetrius achieved his
purpose. The crowd rapidly becomes a mob
and starts to cry out in support of their god.
We might note here that they’re not talking about Diana the Greek
goddess who was represented as a fair and beautiful young woman but rather
another Diana, peculiar to the city of
v.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.”
This mob fomented by
their financial losses and perhaps even lack of employment; takes up a chant
and goes toward the place were Paul usually preached. The city is filled with confusion; they are
in a frenzy and gather others like them along the way. They can’t find Paul but find Gaius and
Aristarchus. Commentators tell us that
this is not the Gaius that is mentioned in other scriptures but this is the Aristarchus
from Thessalonica who was a companion of Paul.
History tells us that this theatre seated about 25,000 people.
v.30 “And when Paul would have entered in unto the
people, the disciples suffered him not.”
One thing that we can note
is that Paul was no coward; neither would he hide behind other people. He tries to go into the theatre where this
mob has brought his brethren but other disciples prevent him from doing
so. The implication is that this
restraint was probably physical.
v.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.”
Even those who were of
the governing men of the province who knew Paul advised him not to enter this
place were the mob had gathered. We’re
told that there was a group of ten men whose job was to manage and keep order
at the annual games and festival that was held to honor their goddess, Diana. This could be some of them or others whose
job it was to help govern the province.
v.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.”
This mob of people was
confused; most of them didn’t even know why they had come together. Some cried one thing, some another and
generally created a tumult without understandable purpose.
v.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.”
The Jews who opposed
Paul are also there, taking advantage of the situation that has arisen. They put forward one of their number, a man
named Alexander to speak for them and to try to move the mob toward one single
purpose. Some believe that this is the
same Alexander who was a coppersmith that Paul mentions in II Timothy
v.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.”
But the other Ephesians
recognized Alexander as a Jew and they would have no part of him being involved
in their efforts. We’re told that this
uproar continued for a space of two hours, the mob chanting and screaming out
their praise for their idol god.
v.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?”
The city of
v.36 “Seeing then that
these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing
rashly.”
He presents this information
as they believed it, as undeniable fact when we know that it is but
nonsense. But in so doing he persuades
them that they are doing something rash that will create more problems than it
will solve.
v.37 “For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of
churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.”
Like the lynch mobs of
the old west, they have brought these two men here who have done nothing to
condemn them. He reminds the mob that
they are neither blasphemers of Diana or robbers of churches and gives them
some sound advice.
v.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.”
He tells them that
Demetrius and his guild or union is simply using them. If they have a legitimate complaint against
Paul and the Christians at
v.39 “But if ye inquire
any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.”
He also tells them that
if they continue to think that they have a legitimate problem that they should
being it to a lawful assembly and let the proper authorities deal with it.
v.40-41 “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. 41And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the
assembly.”
It was a Roman law
which made it a capital crime to raise a riot.