Acts Chapter 19 3. Ephesus, 19:1-20:1 a. The twelve and John s baptism, 19:1-7 Acts 19:1 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Cf. 1Cor. 3:4-6; 1Cor. 16:12 Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, The upper country refers to Asia Minor, where Paul had been on his second journey. (See notes Acts 16:6, 18:23) and found some disciples. Being that these men are called disciples they were aware of the coming of the Christ. Their situation is similar to Apollos, in that they were only familiar with John s baptism, (19:3). Acts 19:2 He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Believed cannot be taken as merely an acknowledgment of something, because of what Paul says in v.3. Here he includes baptism with belief. The question about the Holy Spirit either refers to the indwelling (Acts 2:38) or the miraculous manifestation (Acts 8:14-17). This writer supports the indwelling, since this always followed Christian baptism, while the miraculous manifestation did not, (Acts 8:14-17). Paul s response about baptism and the Holy Spirit clearly indicates that they should have received Him upon baptism, 19:3. 260
And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." Their answer clarifies that their baptism was not in accordance with the great commission (Matt. 28:19,20) or Peter s sermon on the first Pentecost after Jesus death, (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit is mentioned in both. Thus they were not baptized in a post Pentecost baptism. As well, the fact that they had not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit indicates that they were not baptized by John directly, because John spoke of Holy Spirit baptism, Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8 These disciples must have been baptized by some of John s disciples. Acts 19:3 And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism." And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" Because they were unaware of the Holy Spirit Paul wanted to know into what had they been baptized. If baptized by John before Jesus death they would have been aware of the Holy Spirit. If baptized by a disciple after Jesus death they would have been aware of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38. So into what had they been baptized? Baptism was to transfer you into something, spiritually speaking. Proper Christian baptism would have put them in Christ, Gal. 3:26,27. And they said, "Into John's baptism." John s baptism was one of repentance, confession and forgiveness of sins, and water immersion was involved, Mark 1:4-5, Matt. 3:6,11; John 1:30-34, 3:23 261
Acts 19:4 Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." All who submitted to John s baptism had acknowledged that their allegiance was to the Christ who was to come. It is clear that these disciples did not know Christ by their own admission of being baptized into John s baptism. Apparently they had been baptized after Jesus death at a time when John s baptism was no longer valid. Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. This response also indicates that they were not baptized properly, for now they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. NOTE: John s baptism was also only for the Jews, Luke 7:30. The great commission Matthew 28:18-20 was unto every creature. Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. Here we see the passing on of the miraculous gifts through the laying on of an Apostles hands, Acts 8:18; Rom. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:6. The gifts given were specific and involved the ability to spread the Gospel message. The reason for the passing on of the miraculous gifts was to substantiate that they had now been baptized in the way prescribed by Jesus Himself. Consider that this was not done to everyone whom Paul taught. As a matter of fact in Paul s three missionary journeys this is the first time we have recorded that he did this. (Cf. Acts 13:48; 14:21; 16:4-5; 16:14-15, 31-33; 17:4,12,34; 18:8) Acts 19:7 There were in all about twelve men. 262
b. Two years in Asia, 19:8-10 Acts 19:8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them Paul s approach the evangelizing was to reason and persuade, 2Cor. 5:11. He does not argue or quarrel with them, 2Tim. 2:24. He uses their common knowledge of the Scriptures and leads them in the truth. (Act 13:15-41). He goes to the synagogue as usual but this time it seems that the Christians begin meeting there as well. He was there for three months. about the kingdom of God. Paul stuck to the task at hand. These people needed to hear about the kingdom and so that is what he preached. Paul made no distinction between the church and the kingdom, Acts 20:25,28; 1Tim. 14,15; Col. 1:13,18; Eph. 1:22. What Paul taught about the kingdom was that it had come, Mark 9:1, and that the keys to it had been given, Matt. 16:13-20. This is what we should be doing today. Acts 19:9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, Paul had a good run in the synagogue, 19:8, but sooner or later there are going to be those who do not want to hear the message. As Paul preached the grace of God through Christ some became hardened and would not obey. But not only that, they escalated in their hardness and began speaking evil of the way, Matt. 23:37. 263
he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. Paul was not a coward when it came to preaching the gospel, but he knew when it was time to move on, Acts 13:48-51. (See Acts 20:17-21) Paul stays in Ephesus and moves to the school of Tyrannus. Here Paul reasons daily with all who were willing. We know little of Tyrannus. The word school originally meant leisure and came to mean a place of leisure. This is the only time this word is used in the New Testament. Tyrannus is a common name and meant tyrant. This is another example of how we should be teaching the lost; if they do not want to hear go with those who do. Acts 19:10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. Having left the synagogue Paul now had opportunity to preach to the Gentile world and to the Jews who wanted to hear. He did this for two years. His total time in Ephesus was three years, Acts 20:31 c. The sons of Sceva, 19:11-17 Acts 19:11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, This took place to confirm the word being preached by Paul, Mark 16:20. Acts 19:12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. Miracles were being used to reach the lost and the power was so great that just a piece of garment from Paul would do. The people are without excuse, Heb. 2:1-4 264
Acts 19:13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, These exorcists were frauds and practiced sorcery as a means of financial gain. They are similar to Simon in Acts 8:21, and Elymas Acts 13;8, and Jesus mentioned men like them in Matt. 12:27. The word exorcist meant to exact an oath and so they used an oath as a spell. According to Josephus, (Ant. 8,2,5), they are connected with the name of Solomon and would invoke his name in their spells. attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." Seeing how successful the work was, they attempt to follow suit by using the name of Jesus to cast out demons. They must have believed Paul was one of their kind and had found a better way of practicing sorcery. Their command was not based upon their belief in Jesus but upon Paul s. That is why they say, whom Paul preaches. It is interesting to note that they will use the method but not follow the Lord from whom it originates. Many today who do not command baptism would if they knew it would draw in the numbers, even if they did not believe it to be right or practice it themselves. It has been said that Billy Graham once stated that he could not preach baptism, because if he did he would loose his followers. Acts 19:14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. We are not sure who Sceva is. We have no record beyond this. 265
Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, We can see that the spirit world is active. The evil spirit recognized Jesus and even knew about Paul. The two verbs used here are different and have different meanings. The word used in reference to Jesus is genosko and means I realize. The word used in reference to Paul is epistomai and means acquainted with. It is extraordinary to think that there is some type of communication between the evil spirits. but who are you?" The demon is asking, by what authority do you call me out? The demon knows they are connected to Jesus or Paul. Acts 19:16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Not only did the demon not listen to them, he also brutally attacked all of them. It is possible they tried to resist, but in the end the demons super human strength was too much, Mark 5:1-4. They fled from the house naked and wounded. The demon gave testimony Jesus Lordship and Paul s work through this attack. Acts 19:17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. Jesus was magnified because of the work he was doing through Paul. What Paul did was real and the people knew it. The miracles Paul performed confirmed the message he taught. 266
d. The departure from magic, 19:18-20 Acts 19:18 Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. Many also of those who had believed kept coming, Continual conversions were taking place and people were confessing Jesus as Lord, the Son of God. confessing and disclosing their practices. Note that they were also disclosing their practices. This refers to the magic they practiced, v.19. This ties back to the seven sons of Sceva. Acts 19:19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; These people did not mess around with that which was evil. They understood that it was against God and did something about it. They removed this sin from their lives. and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. Two different dollar amounts can be given, $10,000 Greek coins (the most likely) or $35,000 Jewish shekels. This is a great amount of money for the time. Acts 19:20 So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. With willing hearts the word prevailed. The prevailing is the fact that these individuals are turning from their wicked ways to following Jesus as Lord. They are being converted. 267
e. Demetrius the silversmith, 19:21-20:1 Acts 19:21 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." Acts 19:22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, He sent two co-workers Timothy and Erastus to prepare the way. Timothy had already been here, Acts 16:1ff he himself stayed in Asia for a while. Paul did not leave immediately. He stayed in Asia. (Consider - 1Cor. 16:1-10) Acts 19:23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. The Way refers to the disciples of Christ. They probably got this name because of Jesus statement in John 14:6 (Acts 9:2, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14) Acts 19:24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; Artemis is a Greek goddess the Roman equivalent is Diana. The shrines were probably small replicas of the temple of Diana which contained the image of Diana. This was a profitable business to many people. Acts 19:25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 268
Acts 19:26 "You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. Unwittingly Demetrius proclaims the success of the work of Paul. Acts 19:27 "Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence." Demetrius attacked Paul on two fronts. First was financial, which he was more concerned about than anything. Paul had preached against idolatry and the new Christians had gotten rid of all the idols they had previously purchased. They would not be buying any more. (Acts 16:19-21). Second was the people s religious dedication. If Paul were allowed to continue what would happen to their religion? Acts 19:28 When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Cf. 1 Kings 18:26-28 Acts 19:29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia. The people responded with typical mob mentality. Gaius was a convert of Paul s 1Cor. 1:14 and a host to him, Rom. 16:23. Aristarchus was a Macedonian from Thessalonica, Acts 20:4. He accompanied Paul to Rome Acts 27:2. Of his own accord he became a sharer of Paul s exile and captivity, Col. 4:10. He was Paul s fellow worker, Philemon 24. 269
Acts 19:30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. Apparently Paul had not been around when this happened, but when he found out he was ready and willing to lay down his life for the Lord and his friends. Acts 19:31 Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater. The Asiarchs were chief officals who were chosen to supervise the games in honor of the emperor and the gods in Ephesus. The were high priest of sorts and thus not Christians, but Paul had befriended them. Acts 19:32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. In a heated rage people began to join in with Demetrius, but apparently did not understand why. Acts 19:33 Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. Some believe Alexander is the one spoken of by Paul in 2 Tim 4:14. Apparently he wanted to deflect any rage away from the Jews. Acts 19:34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Acts 19:35 After quieting the crowd, the town clerk *said, "Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? He is trying to get the city under control by appealing to their superstition. This is seen in the following verse. 270
Acts 19:36 "So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. Acts 19:37 "For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. He is telling the people they have acted rashly in participating in this riot. No punishable crime had been committed by Gaius or Aristarchus. Acts 19:38 "So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. Acts 19:39 "But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. This was not a lawful assembly and should not be taking place. Acts 19:40 "For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering." There was a Roman law, which made it a capitol offence to start a riot. Acts 19:41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly. Apparently the town clerk had great weight and the crowd listened to him. He dismissed the mob in a noble way so that it might appear to be a proper assembly. He was protecting his fellow citizens. 271