The Book of
Acts 19
41 verses≈ 7 min4 peopleBSB
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In this chapter
The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus.
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Stylised map · locations approximate
Where it happened
Through the interior
Apollos is across the sea at Corinth. Paul comes the long way, overland through the highlands of the province of Asia, and down to Ephesus on the coast. He had promised to come back, and now he does.
The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus
There he found some disciples
Paul
and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
Disciples at Ephesus
“No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
Paul
“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked.
Disciples at Ephesus
“The baptism of John,” they replied.
Paul
Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.
Paul Ministers in Ephesus
Seven Sons of Sceva
Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits.
Sons of Sceva
They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”
Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
Unclean spirit
But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. The attack was so violent that they ran out of the house naked and wounded.
This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many who had believed now came forward, confessing and disclosing their deeds.
When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.
Acts 19:20
Reflect
Into the fire
Those who had practiced magic “brought their books and burned them in front of everyone.” The books were worth “fifty thousand drachmas.” They did not sell them on. Is there something you keep close ‘just in case’ that Jesus is asking you to let go of for good? What would it look like to do it in the open?
The Riot in Ephesus
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia.
“After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
Acts 19:21
He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia.
Stylised map · locations approximate
Where it happened
Jerusalem, then Rome
In one sentence Paul plans the rest of Acts: through Macedonia and Achaia, on to Jerusalem, and then “I must see Rome as well.” Timothy and Erastus go ahead to Macedonia. He will reach Rome, though not in the way anyone expects.
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
Question
Quick question
The trouble in Ephesus started in a workshop, not a temple.
What did Demetrius make for a living?
When the men heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him. Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.
Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing and some another, and most of them did not even know why they were there. The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people. But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
0:25
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
The city clerk
Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?
The city clerk
Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm and not do anything rash. For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.
The city clerk
So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there. But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly. For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”
After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Whose name is great?
Whiteboard
Ephesus shouted that Artemis was great, and the silver trade depended on it. But in the same city the magic books went into the fire, “the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor,” and the word kept spreading. The crowd made the most noise. The word did the most work.
Pray
Nothing to charge
The city clerk said Paul’s companions had “neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.” Ask God for the courage to speak plainly about Jesus and the grace to live so honestly that even opponents have nothing to charge. Pray for the officials of your own city too, that they would keep the peace and do justice.
You’ve experienced
Acts 19
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A verse to carry with you
So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.
Acts 19:20
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