Acts 19 - Introduction

A Book Burning And An Uproar Acts Nineteen

Paul went to Ephesus after Apollos had left for Corinth. At Ephesus he found about twelve men that believed, but they knew only the John's baptism. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance looking for the coming of Christ.

Paul asked these men if they had received the Holy Ghost. They had not even heard of the Holy Ghost. In the early days of the church baptized believers were given miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the apostles' hands. (Acts 8:14-15) These men were gladly baptized when they learned that baptism into Christ puts a person into a saved relationship with God. After their baptism, (1) Paul laid his hands on them, (2) the Holy Ghost came on them, and (3) they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

Paul went into the synagogue at Ephesus for about three months. He spoke with power about Christ and His kingdom. Many Jews were stubborn and refused to believe. They said horrible things about God's Way. Paul took the believers to the school of Tyrannus where he taught them daily. This teaching continued for two years. The result was that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus."

During this time God gave Paul the power to work great miracles. Certain evil people started going about claming to do the same kind of things that Paul did. Seven son of Sceva were among that number. They called the name of Jesus over a man that was possessed with evil spirits. The evil spirits said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" The man with the evil spirit jumped on them and beat them down and they ran out of the house, naked and bruised.

The things that happened to these men caused many to fear. They confessed their deeds and burned their books dealing with the subject of witchcraft. The result was that the word of God grew mightily and prevailed.

While Paul remained at Ephesus some people caused serious trouble for the Lord's Way. Demetrius stirred up the people against Christians. He made his living making silver images of the goddess Diana. As people became Christians he was losing income. Demetrius stirred all that were of the same craft as he. When the mob came together they shouted, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" for the space of about two hours. Soon the whole city was in a riot.

They caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel; they rushed to the place where the town meetings were held. Paul wanted to speak to the people but the disciples would not allow him to take such a risk. In typical mob fashion everyone was completely confused, and most of them did not even know why they were there.

A smart man with some common sense told the people that Demetrius and his workers should take their complaint to the judges and the courts. He said that the people could easily be accused of starting a riot for which there was no excuse.