AND IT HAPPENED, WHILE APOLLOS WAS AT CORINTH, THAT PAUL, HAVING PASSED THROUGH THE UPPER REGIONS, CAME TO EPHESUS. AND FINDING SOME DISCIPLES 1. Here Luke does a "meanwhile back at the ranch" type of dual events taking place at the same time. While Apollos is being taught and admonished at Corinth... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. Paul finds some disciples at Ephesus. They are converts of Apollos before he arrives at Corinth and his teaching corrected. 2. Paul asks... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID TO THEM, " INTO WHAT THEN WERE YOU BAPTIZED? " SO THEY SAID, " INTO JOHN ' S BAPTISM. " 1. Paul asks about the intent, purpose and faith in which they were baptized. 2. There are three essentials for baptism. a) the subject, a believer; b) the mode, immersion; c) the purpose, forgivene... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. Paul points out a major flaw in their faith, and thus, their baptism. John the Baptizer was sent to prepare the way for... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HEARD _THIS,_ THEY WERE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. 1. This is an example of "re-baptism." Baptism, valid, scriptural baptism, is a one time event. It was not an act to be repeated over and over again. 2. However, when any of the three essentials for a valid, scriptural bapti... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN PAUL HAD LAID HANDS ON THEM, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON THEM, AND THEY SPOKE WITH TONGUES AND PROPHESIED. 1. Paul laid hands on them. This was the means used by the apostles to distribute the spiritual gifts for Christians in the early church. 2. Proof of this is their ability to speak lan... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE MEN WERE ABOUT TWELVE IN ALL. 1. Apollos had done some work at Ephesus. 2. He had baptized 12 men before moving on to Corinth. 3. While his teaching was wrong - his zeal and desire to spread the message was his driving force.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE AND SPOKE BOLDLY FOR THREE MONTHS, REASONING AND PERSUADING CONCERNING THE THINGS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 1. Paul now has the start of a good work. 2. He remains in Ephesus for three months. 3. He is reasoning. This word includes - discussion, thinking, challenging,... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Some resisted. They refused to believe and obey the gospel. 2. They began the usual objections about "the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS CONTINUED FOR TWO YEARS, SO THAT ALL WHO DWELT IN ASIA HEARD THE WORD OF THE LORD JESUS, BOTH JEWS AND GREEKS. 1. Paul continued teaching at the school for two years. He was a year and a half at Corinth on his second journey. Paul remains in Ephesus for a total of three years. (Acts 20:31)... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW GOD WORKED UNUSUAL MIRACLES BY THE HANDS OF PAUL, 1. Through Paul, many miracles were done. 2. Special or unusual - refers to the fact that the miracles Paul was doing were unique and were beyond dispute. All who saw them, knew them to be genuine.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Paul was so much in demand for help with the sick that some tried all kinds of things. They would bring a garment from the sick person, seeking Paul to h... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. There were still many Jewish men who were exorcists. See Matthew 7:21 (cast out demons in Your name... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO THERE WERE SEVEN SONS OF SCEVA, A JEWISH CHIEF PRIEST, WHO DID SO. 1. We now meet the seven sons of Sceva. Sceva is a priest. He is called a chief priest. This is not the same as a "high" priest. But in this city, he seems to be the one that organized and assigned work to all the priests. 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE EVIL SPIRIT ANSWERED AND SAID, " JESUS I KNOW, AND PAUL I KNOW; BUT WHO ARE YOU? " 1. The evil spirits respond. They recognize the power of Jesus and the name of Jesus. They also know of Paul, his teaching and miracles, including casting out demons. 2. But these demons don't recognize are... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. The evil spirit possessing this man was real. 2. The exorcists were fake. 3. The spirits left the possessed man. They leaped, overpowere... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. This event became the talk of the town. Everyone seemed to hear about the fakes and the genuine. 2. The result was two-fold: 1. FEAR - All the "fakers" we... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY WHO HAD BELIEVED CAME CONFESSING AND TELLING THEIR DEEDS. 1. Now many believers realized that they had not fully left behind their pagan beliefs. 2. They came confessing their sins. They openly told of the sins and wickedness of their life. 3. Implied is that they repented and sought for... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Part of the cleansing process was to rid themselves of the books and other things that they n... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE WORD OF THE LORD GREW MIGHTILY AND PREVAILED. 1. Word spread rapidly. The church was growing quickly. 2. The church was becoming strong. It was strong and getting stronger. The Greek word here means to be strong, able to overcome, to be robust, sound in health. 3. The church was showing it... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. Now Paul has a plan to spread the gospel even deeper into Europe. His ultimate goal - Rome. 2. He wan... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HE SENT INTO MACEDONIA TWO OF THOSE WHO MINISTERED TO HIM, TIMOTHY AND ERASTUS, BUT HE HIMSELF STAYED IN ASIA FOR A TIME. 1. He sent Erastus and Timothy to check on the churches in Macedonia. 2. Paul remained in Ephesus and Asia.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ABOUT THAT TIME THERE AROSE A GREAT COMMOTION ABOUT THE WAY. 1. A great commotion - The KJV says, "no small stir". This is Luke's usual manner to state the opposite. "Not a few" actually means that many were converted. 2. The Way - Paul used this phrase when he was persecuting Christians. (Act... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR A CERTAIN MAN NAMED DEMETRIUS, A SILVERSMITH, WHO MADE SILVER SHRINES OF DIANA, BROUGHT NO SMALL PROFIT TO THE CRAFTSMEN. 1. Ephesus was the "headquarters" for the goddess Diana. There was, not only a large temple dedicated to her, but there was a whole industry around Diana. 2. There were can... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CALLED THEM TOGETHER WITH THE WORKERS OF SIMILAR OCCUPATION, AND SAID: " MEN, YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE OUR PROSPERITY BY THIS TRADE. 1. Here is the first attempt to organize the workers. All those with a common interest in the issues are called together to discuss the situation. 2. "We have our pr... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Christianity has not just had impact on Ephesus, but on the whole area. Almost all of Asia has heard a... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. It is broader than just the silversmiths. As many abandon their pagan worship, the temple w... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THEY HEARD _THIS,_ THEY WERE FULL OF WRATH AND CRIED OUT, SAYING, " GREAT _IS_ DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS! " 1. The silversmiths are full of anger. Now, they decide to honor the goddess that is the source of their income. 2. The cry out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." This small group beg... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Confusion leads to a mass hysteria. The people begin to rush toward the large theater. 1. There are two theaters in Ephesus. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN PAUL WANTED TO GO IN TO THE PEOPLE, THE DISCIPLES WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM. 1. Paul was ready to face the mob and try to calm the situation. 2. The disciples saw the great danger involved in being trapped in this theater with a mob of 20,000 or more angry people.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SOME OF THE OFFICIALS OF ASIA, WHO WERE HIS FRIENDS, SENT TO HIM PLEADING THAT HE WOULD NOT VENTURE INTO THE THEATER. 1. Paul had made friends with some high government officials. It does not appear that they were converts, but were at least had some sympathy for Paul and his work. 2. These g... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. There is mass hysteria. Here is an angry mob. They are ready to do something. But, they have no idea what they are angry about. 2. Some are crying one thing... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Alexander is taken from the crowd. The Jews in the crowd shove him out to be the example. 2. Alexander is ready to explain. He tried to... [ Continue Reading ]
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! " 1. Learning he was a Jew - they did not want to listen to him. 2. For the next two hours - the crowd is praising Diana of the Ephesians.... [ Continue Reading ]
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? 1. Now a city official seeks to control the mob. He quiets the cr... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, SINCE THESE THINGS CANNOT BE DENIED, YOU OUGHT TO BE QUIET AND DO NOTHING RASHLY. 1. All of these things are widely known and can not be denied by any thinking person. They are common knowledge. 2. So, what is all the commotion about? Why are you afraid of losing what has been here for... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YOU HAVE BROUGHT THESE MEN HERE WHO ARE NEITHER ROBBERS OF TEMPLES NOR BLASPHEMERS OF YOUR GODDESS. 1. These men have not broken any laws. 2. They have not robbed the temple. 3. They have not even blasphemed Diana.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. If there is a valid legal claim against the Christians - we have courts for that purpose. File your claim and it will be heard in... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INQUIRY TO MAKE, IT SHALL BE DETERMINED IN THE LAWFUL ASSEMBLY. 1. This may not be a legal matter, something the courts should hear. It may fall into the category of a complaint that the city council should hear. 2. Any complaint can be heard at the next called, regular m... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. Why this uproar? We are a civilized society. We must act in a mature manner. 2. There is now reason for this mob gathering (not ekklesia).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THESE THINGS, HE DISMISSED THE ASSEMBLY. 1. He dismissed the assembly (the Greek word, ekklesia is used here). 2. It is time to go home and think about your actions. 3. This is not the time, the place or the manner to handle these disputes.... [ Continue Reading ]