đđœ Dear Heavenly Father â We return again to Your Word. You, who spoke galaxies into creation, can speak new life into us. Prepare our hearts, unblock our heads, and lead us into Your wisdom today. We pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Paul in Ephesus
19 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, âDid you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?â
They answered, âNo, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.â
3 So Paul asked, âThen what baptism did you receive?â
âJohnâs baptism,â they replied.
4 Paul said, âJohnâs baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.â 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Points to Ponder: When John the Baptist was baptizing people, including Jesus, it was not yet time for the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples that He would return to the Father and send another. [Read John 14:16,26] John the Baptist, like the Old Testament prophets, preached repentance â so people would recognize their sins and make a public declaration to renounce their sins and recommit themselves to God. At this time in the early Church history, some were baptized before Jesusâ resurrection and ascension. It would be necessary for them to declare the Lordship of Jesus.
2000 years later, we donât have this distinction. A baptism today is a public display of our faith in Jesus â we confess Him as Lord and acknowledge that God raised Him from the dead to reign forever. (Romans 10:9) We show people that we KNOW we are saved by getting baptized. A beautiful symbolic gesture where we put to death our old life and are then raised again to walk in new life.
Baptism isnât required for salvation, just ask the thief on the cross. Speaking in tongues isnât proof of salvation either. Only God knows our heart, but we can inspect the fruit. For many, getting baptized is the first public display of obedience to Our Lord Jesus.
8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
Points to Ponder: Again, we see the consistency of Paul⊠entering the synagogue and boldly speaking to the Jews about the Jesus and His eternal kingdom. And as it had often happened previously, it happens again⊠not all believe, some become aggressive, and so, Paul leaves. He gathers the believers together and pours into them â this time for two years. Everyone in the province of Asia had heard the Word of the Lord.
Similar to Jesusâ ministry â the truth was accompanied by miracles. Some people today will say, âif I saw those miracles, then I would believeâ. But I donât think so. Everyone in Asia had heard the Word⊠knew about the miracles⊠but not all could humble themselves and submit to Jesus as Lord; not all would believe.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, âIn the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.â 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, âJesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?â 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. [A drachma was a silver coin worth about a dayâs wages.] 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
21 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. âAfter I have been there,â he said, âI must visit Rome also.â 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.
Points to Ponder: This is the equivalent of a spiritual stay-in-your-lane command. I suspect the issue with the seven sons of Sceva is not in the invoking of the name of Jesus⊠but in the watching of what Paul is doing and then assuming the same authority for themselvesâŠ. âI command youâ gives this away!
All authority is His. We pray⊠Thy will be done. We may intercede on behalf of others in prayer to Our Lord, but it is always His Will and His Authority that makes it happen. The demons submit to Him⊠not to us. Our Lord works through His Church body, but we are never to assume that He does our bidding!
Perhaps many in Ephesus were tempted to wield this power and try their own hands at the miraculous; they wouldnât be the first. (Remember Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:18) Seeing the sons of Sceva beaten by the demons was enough to burn all their magic-related paraphernalia⊠(At $20/hr. this would be equivalent to burning $8,000,000!)
The Riot in Ephesus
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: âYou know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.â
Points to Ponder: I doubt anyone believes that the silversmith was concerned about the divinity of Artemis. Like Gideonâs dad challenged the townspeople in Judges 6:31 or Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:24⊠here we see a man attempting to rally others to defend the goddess, Artemis. I suspect he is more worried about the recent event of the believers burning $8 million worth of sorcery related items!
When people wake up to what they donât need to buy⊠businesses get worried. (Just ask Bud Light!)
28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: âGreat is Artemis of the Ephesians!â 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paulâs traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: âGreat is Artemis of the Ephesians!â
35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: âFellow Ephesians, doesnât all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.â 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Points to Ponder: We sometimes like to look back at these ancient stories, dismissing these people for their lack of sophistication that we supposedly have. All I see here is how people behave when anonymity is provided in a crowd⊠i.e., mob mentality. Most people didnât even know why they were there!
But â there is respect for authority. When the city clerk quiets the crowd and reasons with them based on the law, he dismisses them.
I fear we are moving to such a âme-centeredâ culture that there is little respect for civil law anymore. (I read an account where during a recent riot, a young teen told the police that they couldnât arrest him because others were doing the same thing and they hadnât been arrested.)
Civil law governs certain behaviors that we willingly adopt for the common good. When we no longer agree on what is âgoodâ, we lose our willingness to discipline ourselves in order to benefit others. This is a breakdown of civilized society and ushers in pockets of growing chaos. These ancient, unsophisticated, pagans knew how to love each other better than we do. âč
Through Macedonia and Greece
20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Points to Ponder: Luke records for us some of the names that surround him and Paul ensuring their safety and making sure that Paul could successfully do what he was called to do â preach the good news of the kingdom⊠first to Jews, and then to Gentiles. It is a pattern everywhere that Paul goes. Here we see that the plot against Paul did not catch him by surprise. (Iâm sure this group of disciples had helped.)
Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas
7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. âDonât be alarmed,â he said. âHeâs alive!â 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
Points to Ponder: I LOVE this story. Many pastors joke about not wanting to talk too long to avoid such an incident but what a display of Godâs grace and Paulâs commitment to make every moment count. Speak to the people⊠bring the young man back to life⊠continue speaking. This story humbles me â do I make the most of every moment? Have I learned to number my days? [Psalm 90:12]
It wonât matter if Paul is in another city⊠in jail⊠or in heaven⊠no one will forget this day. The legacy would be passed to all generations, first verbally, then eternally through Scripture.
Paulâs Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: âYou know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
22 âAnd now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given meâthe task of testifying to the good news of Godâs grace.
25 âNow I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
32 âNow I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyoneâs silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: âIt is more blessed to give than to receive.â â
36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Points to Ponder: Paulâs farewell is packed with powerful âlast wordsâ. He gives a reminder to them that he has taught them all truth regarding Godâs will â he has held nothing back. They have witnessed what it is like to be a follower of the Lord Jesus and it is not easy in a world that rejects Him. He warns them to watch out for the âsavage wolvesâ that will infiltrate their number, seeking to destroy them.
When Paul commits these people to God and His grace, he is also reminding them to carry on as they witnessed Paulâs behavior â not self-seeking, but helping the new believers, still weak in their faith. How heartbreaking it is to be separated from a devoted Christian brother or sister who strengthens and encourages you on this difficult journey. But we can read these warnings today and know to be on our guard and to remember that we never fight these battles alone.
Summary: These chapters give a stark contrast to how a crowd behaves and an individual Christian. A crowd, when it feels strength in anonymity, will cast off discipline â unruly, self-seeking behavior becomes easy.
Christians will align themselves with other Christians. As they mature they will assist the dedicated Christian leader to do what needs to be done â sow the seeds of the Gospel message. Teach the truth â it has the power of salvation. (Romans 1:16)
There is some truth to the saying⊠thereâs strength in numbers. These chapters show two different interpretations of that adage. A crowd of self-seeking individuals can find strength in doing what is morally wrong because they mistakenly believe that no one notices or that the behavior is not wrong if they are joined by others. A Christian will never be in a âcrowdâ, but that doesnât mean they stand alone. (Deuteronomy 31:6) When we submit to our Lord Jesus, we find benefit in the company of other Christians. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Hebrews 10:24-25)
đđŒ Heavenly Father â Thank You for Your Word. Strengthen and encourage us to study and model Paulâs consistent behavior. Where we are weak and need encouragement, send us a fellow Christian to keep us on track and help us grow. Let us never lose sight of the hope we have in Your Eternal kingdom. We ask this in Jesusâ name, Amen.