Acts Chapter Nineteen

 Act 19:1  And it happened, in the time Apollos was in Corinth, Paul was passing through the higher parts to come to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, 

Act 19:2  he said to them, Believing, did you receive the Holy Spirit? And they said to him, We did not even hear whether the Holy Spirit is. 

Act 19:3  And he said to them, Then to what were you baptized? And they said, To the baptism of John. 

Act 19:4  And Paul said, John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe into the One coming after him, that is, into the Christ, Jesus. 

Act 19:5  And hearing, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 

Act 19:6  And Paul laying hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in languages and prophesied. 

Act 19:7  And all the men were about twelve. 

Act 19:8  And going into the synagogue, he spoke boldly over three months, having reasoned with them, and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 

Act 19:9  But when some were hardened, and did not obey, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, departing from them, he separated the disciples, conversing day by day in the school of a certain Tyrannus. 

Act 19:10  And this happened over two years, so as all those living in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 

Act 19:11  And God did uncommon works of power through the hands of Paul, 

Act 19:12  so as even handkerchiefs or aprons from his skin to be brought onto those sick, and the diseases to be released from them, and the evil spirits to go out from them. 

Act 19:13  But certain from the strolling Jews, exorcists, undertook to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those having evil spirits, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. 

Act 19:14  And there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, doing this. 

Act 19:15  But answering the evil spirit said, I know Jesus, and I comprehend Paul, but who are you? 

Act 19:16  And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, and having overmastered them, he was strong against them, so that having been wounded and naked, they fled out of that house. 

Act 19:17  And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, those living in Ephesus. And fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 

Act 19:18  And many of those who had believed came confessing, and reporting their practices. 

Act 19:19  And many of the ones practicing the curious arts, bringing together the books, burned them before all. And they counted the prices of them, and found it to be fifty thousands of silver. 

Act 19:20  So with might, the Word of the Lord increased and was strong. 

Act 19:21  And when these things were fulfilled, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have come there, I must also see Rome. 

Act 19:22  And sending into Macedonia two who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he stayed a time in Asia. 

Act 19:23  And about that time there was no little disturbance about the Way. 

Act 19:24  For a certain silversmith named Demetrius was making silver shrines of Artemis, providing no little trade for the craftsmen. 

Act 19:25  And assembling the workmen about such things, he said, Men, you understand that from this trade is our wealth. 

Act 19:26  And you see and hear that not only Ephesus, but almost all of Asia, persuading, this Paul perverted a considerable crowd, saying that those being made by hands are not gods. 

Act 19:27  And not only is this dangerous to us, lest our part come to be in contempt, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted nothing, and her majesty is also about to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships. 

Act 19:28  And having heard, and having become full of anger, they cried out, saying, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 

Act 19:29  And all the city was filled with confusion. And they rushed with one passion into the theater, keeping a firm grip on Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul. 

Act 19:30  And Paul intending to go in to the mob, the disciples did not allow him. 

Act 19:31  And also some of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sending to him begged him not to give himself into the theater. 

Act 19:32  Then others indeed cried out a different thing, for the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know on what account they came together. 

Act 19:33  But they dragged Alexander forward out of the crowd, the Jews thrusting him in front. And waving his hand, Alexander desired to defend himself to the mob. 

Act 19:34  But knowing that he is a Jew, one voice was from all, as they were crying out over two hours, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 

Act 19:35  And quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, Men, Ephesians, for what man is there who does not know the city of the Ephesians to be temple keepers of the great goddess Artemis, and of That Fallen From the Sky? 

Act 19:36  Then these things being undeniable, it is necessary for you, being calmed, to be so, and to do nothing rash. 

Act 19:37  For you brought these men, being neither temple robbers nor blaspheming your goddess. 

Act 19:38  If then, indeed, Demetrius and those craftsmen with him have a matter against anyone, courts are being held, and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another. 

Act 19:39  But if you seek concerning other things, it will be settled in a lawful assembly. 

Act 19:40  For we are in danger to be accused of insurrection concerning today, there being no cause about which we will be able to give account of this crowding together. 

Act 19:41  And saying these things, he dismissed the assembly. 

CORRECT BAPTISM, MIRACLES, RESISTANCE

Verses 1-7: Paul heads to Ephesus, teaches a proper baptism, then baptizes. He then lays hands and some receive the Holy Spirit.

1. What event marked a “correct” baptism? they should believe into the One coming after him, that is, into the Christ, Jesus.  Act 19:5  And hearing, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 

   a. When did the event happen in this case? Immediately. It happened before the laying on of hands,

Verses 8-20: Paul spends a great deal of time in Ephesus. He exhibits God's power through many works. Some men attempt to release a demon from someone. The demon acknowledges Jesus and Paul, then attacks the men. Many people are converted. Even the pagan wizards burn their books at great personal loss.

2. How long did Paul reason with those who would listen? Paul spent two years in Ephesus. He preached in the synagogue for three months.

3. What did the exorcism incident prove? (16) Authority. As has been the case in all instances. Signs and miracles authenticate the one through whom God uses as His agent.

Additional: Compare Mark 9:38-41. What can we conclude? Jesus addresses heart/motivation/intent:

Mar 9:38  And John answered Him, saying, Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, who does not follow us. And we forbade him, because he does not follow us.
Mar 9:39  But Jesus said, Do not forbid him. For there is no one who shall do a work of power in My name, yet be able to speak evil of Me quickly.
Mar 9:40  For who is not against us is for us.
Mar 9:41  For whoever gives you a cup of cold water to drink in My name, because you are of Christ, truly I say to you, In no way he will lose his reward. 

4. What acts of faith and repentance do we see here? The burning of the books incident reveals the depth of faith in these converts. It was a monetary loss for them, but gaining salvation was far more worthy to hold in their lives.  

Verses 21-28: Paul spends time in the Macedonian area. A silversmith named Demitrius takes issue with Paul since he teaches that idols are worthless. This cuts into his business. Demetrius gathers all the silversmiths and he stirs them up against Paul.

5. What drove Demetrius and the others? Money. Paul's teaching threatens their livelihood. If their idol Artimus is discredited, who will buy an idol? 

   a. Does the gospel still threaten people’s livelihood today? Yes. There are plenty of ways to ill-gotten gain that God would not approve of. Divorce, porn, abortion, prostitution, false Christianity are but a few.

Verses 29-34: The whole city becomes a mob. Paul wants to address them but the disciples stop him. The mob is chaotic with some not even knowing what the issues were. They find one Alexander and put him forward screaming for their idol. Alexander could not be heard to defend himself.

6. How do we know the situation is chaotic? 
Act 19:32  Then others indeed cried out a different thing, for the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know on what account they came together. 

Typical mob mentality. 

7. What is Paul’s reaction? He wants to teach.

Verses 35-41: The town clerk advises everyone to disperse before they are accused of something (because of the chaotic gathering).

8. How/why does the town clerk diffuse the situation? Rome does not like chaos/riots. Likely the orders would have been arrest, inquire, and judicate. How would a soldier know what the matter was from the mayhem? It was a near riot, something that soldiers would not care to discern on the fly. The correct action would be to drag everyone in.