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The book of Acts

Paul at Ephesus

Chapter 19

We left Paul on a journey throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, visiting the disciples in that region (Chapter 18:23). These are the upper regions mentioned here, and this journey marks the beginning of the third missionary journey of Paul, ??roughly during the years 53-57 AD.

The best way to go would be by Colossus and Laodicea, but he preferred to avoid these cities at that time (Colossians 2:1) and he went by a shortcut to Ephesus, where he had promised to the Jews he would return if it were the will of God (Chapter 18:21).

Ephesus was the capital and the main city of the Roman province of Asia, where the seven churches of Revelation (chapters 2 and 3) were later formed. Ephesus was bigger and richer than Corinth (across the Aegean), and there the power of Rome, the Greek culture and the superstition and magic of the Orient came together. The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Arriving there, he found about a dozen men who professed to be "disciples". This word just means they were learning, and everything indicates that what they knew was the baptism of John the Baptist, who preached repentance to the Jews. They might have gone to hear him over twenty years before when he preached and baptized in the Jordan River or, more likely, they may have learned from others who had been there.

Apollos had moved to Corinth, and there is no indication that these men came to know Priscilla and Aquila. These undoubtedly would have been able to teach them the Gospel of Christ, as they had done to Apollos.

When Paul met them, he was suspicious of their faith because he realized they knew little or nothing of the Gospel of Christ. He asked whether they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. Paul's question is important because it is one of many proofs that the Holy Spirit is received by the sinner at the moment of his conversion (John 7:38,39). In other words, the Holy Spirit is not a gift given by God to the believer in response to a special request, but when the sinner trusts in the Saviour, he receives the Holy Spirit that gives the new birth.

These men answered Paul that they did not even know there was a Holy Spirit. Paul then realized it was not Christian baptism, and they confirmed it was the baptism of John. The extent of their ignorance became obvious: not only does the Old Testament teach about the existence and operation of the Holy Spirit in the times preceding Christ (e.g. Psalm 51:11, Isaiah 63:10), but John the Baptist himself taught that One would come after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). Neither did they know of the baptism of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ already effected at Pentecost after His resurrection.

We conclude that they only knew that the Messiah was to come, and they were baptized to be prepared for His kingdom. They knew nothing about His coming into the world more than fifty years before, and His teaching, His death, burial, resurrection and ascension about thirty years later. Paul informed them that John had administered the baptism of repentance, but had also told the people to believe in the One who was coming after him, that is, the Lord Jesus.

There is no mention that Apollos, who also knew only the baptism of John, was baptized again, nor the disciples and apostles of the Lord Jesus. However, these men in Ephesus little understood the scope of the baptism to which they had submitted. Consequently, Paul baptized them again in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as the Lord Jesus had commanded His disciples, because now they had become disciples of the Lord Jesus, and actually believed in Him (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16).

They received the Holy Spirit when Paul laid his hands upon them, and gave proof of this by speaking in "tongues" and prophesying. It is the fourth time it happened in the account of the book of Acts: -

• The first is in chapter 2, the Day of Pentecost, and involved Jews. The Holy Spirit was given by God to the disciples, gathered as instructed by the Lord Jesus, in fulfilment of His promise (John 15:26).

• The second is found in Chapter 8, involving the Samaritans, with imposition of hands of the apostles Peter and John, here representing the unification of the Samaritan believers with the church of Christ in one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

• The third is in chapter 10, in the house of the centurion Cornelius, a Gentile, as they believed the Gospel that was explained to them. As at the day of Pentecost, there was no imposition of hands.

The order of events leading to the reception of the Holy Spirit is different in each case. Here, the order was faith, new baptism, laying on of hands of an apostle, reception of the Holy Spirit. It is understood that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit with "tongues" and prophecy was a way to authenticate the apostolate of Paul. Giving the Holy Spirit to the disciples of John upon the laying on of the hands of Paul, was the way in which God eliminated the possibility of thinking that Paul was an inferior apostle to Peter, John and the others.

When John's disciples received the Holy Spirit, they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Such supernatural powers were God's method of work in the period before the New Testament was completed. Today we know that we have received the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion, not by signs and wonders, or even by feelings, but by the testimony of the New Testament. The moment a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is inhabited, sealed, baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, His church. If he allows the Holy Spirit to fill his life, moves away from all that is not pleasing to God, and faithfully obeys His commandments, God can use him powerfully in His work, enabling him to special ministries, strengthening his faith, using him for the salvation of souls, etc.

For three months, Paul was accepted in the synagogue, and there they allowed him to speak boldly and preach the Gospel of Christ, disputing and persuading in the things that concerned the kingdom of God. By reasoning is meant an effort to make them understand clearly the fulfilment of the Mosaic Law, in both moral and ceremonial aspects, in Christ; and persuading means to convince them to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. The understanding they had about the kingdom of God, which they believed to be the earthly kingdom of the Messiah, needed to be corrected so they could see the reality of the spiritual kingdom of God, introduced by Him.

Despite his efforts, some would not believe and hardened themselves against the word of God that was given to them by Paul, and even spoke evil of the Way before the multitude. This word way is used for the doctrine of the Gospel, because the Lord Jesus said that He was "the way" - there is only one way to heaven, which is Christ (John 14:6). Consequently, Paul departed from the synagogue and withdrew the disciples - those who were willing to continue to learn - and discussed daily in the school of Tyrannus. The Bible does not state anything else about the school of Tyrannus, but the general understanding is that he was a Greek professor who taught philosophy and rhetoric.

For two years Paul went on reasoning daily in the school, and this hard work resulted in spreading the word of the Lord to all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks. The disciples who turned to Christ and learned from Paul the doctrines of the Gospel probably did the spread. Thus, a great and effective door was opened for Paul, although he had many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:9). In Ephesus, exorcists and other magicians had established a sort of fake spiritualism, and Paul faced the unseen forces of evil. Philip had done miracles in Samaria to deliver people from the influence of Simon Magus (chapter 8:9-24).

In Ephesus, by the hands of Paul God worked unusual miracles: all miracles (or "powers") are supernatural and out of the ordinary, but God did through Paul wonders besides the ones known by the disciples and completely different from the actions of the Jewish exorcists. Surprisingly, even when people brought handkerchiefs and aprons from Paul's body to the sick, diseases left them and evil spirits went out of them, thus overcoming the practice of magic. Again Paul showed that he was a true apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12).

There were at that time itinerant Jewish exorcists, who travelled from place to place, like soothsayer gypsies do today. The historian Josephus, of that time, said that they specialized in spells linked to the name of Solomon. Seven of them, sons of a leading Jewish priest called Ceva (Matthew 24:27, Luke 11:19), apparently thought that Paul was like them. Seeing his success, they soon began to imitate him using the name of Jesus as the source of their power (instead of offering money, as did Simon), thinking that success would come through the correct use of these magic words, like a formula.

They went to the home of a man who had an evil spirit and sought to cast it out in the name of Jesus "whom Paul preaches." It is interesting to see how the Scripture distinguishes between what the spirit said (verse 15) and what the man did (verse 16): The spirit gave importance to Jesus and Paul, but none to these Jews. The man drove them out with violence, so they fled naked and wounded.

This event became known and was released all over the city among both Jews and Greeks, bringing fear upon them all, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ was magnified, and many who had believed came confessing their faith boldly and revealing their deeds. Many of those who practiced various forms of sorcery were also converted, and made a public display of their faith by collecting and burning their magic books in a big bonfire. The sale value of the books was fifty thousand pieces of silver at that time, a considerable amount in those days, but difficult to convert into a coin in use today.

Ephesus being a centre of black magic and other occult practices, the people invented magic formulas to gain wealth, good luck and success in marriage. God forbids these things (Deuteronomy 18: 9-13). A believer is not allowed to get involved with spiritualism, superstition, witchcraft or the occult.

Thus, the Word of God grew and prevailed over any other literature that abounded at the time. This makes us think about how much literature and other media calls our attention today, and this urges us to give priority to the Word of God now.

Rome was the centre of power and influence in the world of those days, and Paul himself decided to go to Jerusalem by way of Macedonia and Achaia, and then go over to Rome, which he considered a necessity.

It is interesting to know that at first he had intended to go to Achaia (Corinth), thence to go to Macedonia and back before being sent to Judea by the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:15-16). Then he changed his plans to go first to Macedonia and then to Corinth where he wanted to spend more time, staying there during winter "if the Lord permitted," perhaps because of the bad news coming from Corinth. Then he intended to return to Ephesus until Pentecost (1 Corinthians 16:5-8). Finally, he never got to return to Corinth or Ephesus, as we shall see in the next chapter.

Paul sent Timothy to Corinth to remind them of his teachings to that church (1 Corinthians 4:17), and asked them to treat him well (1 Corinthians 16:10-11) so that he might go back and find Paul in Ephesus before his departure (It was probably during this time that Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians). After the return of Timothy Paul dispatched Titus to Corinth to finish the work of Timothy, with instructions to meet him at Troas. Timothy and Erastus were then sent to Macedonia to prepare the way for Paul to come later. Paul stayed in Asia (where Ephesus is) for a while longer.

Then there was a great uproar in Ephesus caused by a silversmith named Demetrius, who felt that the gospel preached by Paul was leading him to financial ruin, because his small industry consisted in making miniatures of the temple of Diana, which was very profitable to the artisans. Calling a meeting with the artisans, he declared that, as Paul was convincing lot of people of Ephesus and its province that gods made with hands are not gods, and diverting them, they were running the following dangers:

• their trade would lose its reputation
• the temple of the great goddess Diana might be despised
• the goddess herself would lose her magnificence

Hearing this, the artisans were very angry and started shouting, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" causing an uproar in the entire city. All its population was confused, and crowded into the theatre dragging with them Paul’s travel companions Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Macedonians. This theatre (whose ruins can still be seen), was a place where they saw dramatic spectacles, and was capable of accommodating fifty-six thousand people. It was also used for large outdoor public gatherings of any kind, even to watch fights between gladiators.

Paul wrote that he and his companions had the sentence of death in themselves and were at the point of losing hope of life (2 Corinthians 1:8,9). Paul wanted to go in as well but the disciples prevented him, and some friends who were officials of Asia pleaded with him not to venture into the theatre. These were provincial authorities, elected officials (called "Asiarchs") that provided and financed festivals in honour of the gods. Consequently, Paul was held back. It was not cowardice - some commentators opine that he was sick, and that this was his death sentence mentioned above. It is more likely that the disciples held him in hiding because without his presence the crowd would lose their anger, he being the pivot.

The confusion in the theatre was great, with much shouting and conflicts, and many were there without knowing why. The Jews pushed forward one of their men, named Alexander, to defend them. As Paul was a Jew, like Aristarchus, the Jews evidently feared the multitude would judge that the Jews were the cause of the insults to their goddess, for they were also opposed to idolatry. Alexander then motioned with his hand, wanting to make his defence to the people.

However, the crowd did not allow him to speak when they realized he was a Jew, and screamed for about two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." The city clerk (their chief magistrate, who communicated directly with the Roman proconsul) finally managed to calm the crowd, and declared that everyone knew that the city of Ephesus was the guardian of the temple of Diana, and her image that fell from heaven. Given these undeniable facts, they should not do anything rash, after all the men who they had brought to him had not robbed temples nor blasphemed the goddess. Demetrius and his fellow professionals should follow the legal procedures if they had a complaint against someone. If there were any other inquiry to make, it would be determined in the lawful assembly.

The city clerk alerted them that there was no reason to be given for this uproar, for which they were in danger of being called in question (they ran the risk of being accused of disturbing public order, which would result in sanctions by the Roman power). Therefore, he dismissed the assembly.

 

R David Jones

 

 

 

1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."

3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."

 

 

 

4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."

 

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.

 

 

 

9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

 

 

 

10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

 

 

 

 

11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

 

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches."
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship."
28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions.
30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: "Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?
36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.
37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today's uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering."
41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts chapter 19