Imagine coming into a city bustling with trade and worship - that's Ephesus. In Acts 19, Paul arrives to find a group of believers hungry for something more - the Holy Spirit. What unfolds is a mix of miraculous events and a riot that shakes the city to its core.
The Reading: Acts 19
World English Bible1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples.
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2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
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3 He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”
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4 Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
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5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
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6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.
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7 They were about twelve men in all.
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8 He entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s Kingdom.
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9 But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
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10 This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
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11 God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul,
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12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.
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13 But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
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14 There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this.
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15 The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”
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16 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.
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17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
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18 Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.
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19 Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.
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20 So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.
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21 Now after these things had ended, Paul determined 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.”
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22 Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
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23 About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
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24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,
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25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.
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26 You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands.
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27 Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.”
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28 When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
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29 The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.
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30 When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him.
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31 Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
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32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.
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33 They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.
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34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
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35 When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?
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36 Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash.
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37 For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
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38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.
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39 But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly.
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40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.”
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41 When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Paul in Ephesus
As Paul journeys through Ephesus, he finds a group of disciples who have been baptized by John the Baptist but haven't heard about the Holy Spirit. After explaining the significance of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, they are baptized in Jesus' name, and Paul lays hands on them. They immediately experience the Holy Spirit, speaking in different languages and prophesying.
Teaching and Miracles
Paul spends three months in the synagogue boldly discussing God's Kingdom. However, when some of the audience reject his message, he moves to the school of Tyrannus, where he teaches daily for two years. During this time, God empowers Paul to perform extraordinary miracles. People would even take cloths from him, which would heal the sick and free those tormented by evil spirits.
The Seven Sons of Sceva
Interestingly, some itinerant Jewish exorcists try to use Paul's formula for casting out demons by invoking the name of Jesus. One particular group, led by the seven sons of Sceva, faces a shocking turn of events when an evil spirit challenges them. They leave the encounter naked and bruised, much to the shock of everyone in Ephesus, and it leads to a heightened reverence for the name of Jesus.
The Riot
Meanwhile, not everyone is thrilled with Paul's success. A silversmith named Demetrius, who profits from making silver shrines of the goddess Artemis, rallies fellow craftsmen against Paul. He warns that the worship of their goddess is at risk due to Paul's teachings. The resulting uproar sends the whole city into chaos, leading to a riot in the theater. Despite the frenzy, Paul's friends protect him, and the town clerk eventually calms the crowd, reminding them of the city's honor and the legality of their grievances.
Why It Matters
The Power of the Holy Spirit
Acts 19 teaches us about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives. When we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we can experience growth, healing, and the ability to speak truth in love. This chapter reminds us to seek deeper connections with God and to embrace the gifts that come through faith.
Courage in Adversity
Paul's willingness to stand firm in the face of opposition is a lesson in courage. Even when faced with riots and threats, he remains steadfast in his mission. This courage can inspire us to stand up for our beliefs, even when it's unpopular or difficult.
Finding Community
The importance of community in faith is evident as Paul builds relationships with disciples and fellow believers in Ephesus. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals can help us grow in our spirituality. If you're looking for a community to connect with, find a church near you to share and grow in your faith journey.
The Impact of Our Actions
The riot in Ephesus highlights how our actions and beliefs can ripple through a community, sometimes igniting great change. It encourages us to reflect on how our faith impacts others and drives us to act with integrity and purpose.
Coming Up Next: Acts 20
As we turn to Acts 20, Paul prepares to leave Ephesus, knowing the challenges that lie ahead. Get ready to discover his heartfelt farewell and a miraculous event that showcases the power of faith.