Acts 20:32-34 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 pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd 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: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
 
EPHESIAN craftsmen caused an uproar because the Ephesian church was growing. More Christians reduced the number of people who worshiped the goddess Artemis. Fewer people purchased Artemus images. A crowd gathered in response to the loud objections. But many did not know why they were there. Riots don’t need a reason. Galatians 5:15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. The battle raging within pours out to needlessly harm others, even if that is not our desire.
   This life-destroying infection contrasts sharply to God’s life-giving power: Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law…22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 
   But then peace prevailed.
 
Acts 19:35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t 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 be quiet 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 today’s events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
 
Paul would have thanked God there was a city clerk who exhibited patience, goodness and self-control. The Spirit’s influence can and does cause non-believers to exhibit the Spirit’s fruit. This happened in many circumstances throughout the Bible. The church, too, has experienced peace when the Spirit has inclined governments to allow the gospel to be taught in their countries.  
   Paul then left Ephesus in peace: Acts 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia.  

Acts 19:21-22 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.
 
THESE verses mark a change in Acts that points Paul to Rome. But first Paul hears the Spirit’s call to Jerusalem: Acts 20:22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” He will first visit Macedonia to meet with the Philippi church. He sent Timohty and Erastus to prepare for his arrival. Perhaps he should have gone with them. The peace in Ephesus suddenly ended.
 
Acts 19:23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know 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 man-made gods 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.” 28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. 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.
 
Threats to money and power motivate us more than any other influence. Recently in our U.S. election, the economy was the number one concern. There was little or no talk about the millions of unborn babies killed each year. That may tell us more about the state of Christianity in America than any other measure.
   The craftsmen wanted their business back. They claimed to protect the worship of Artemis. They really wanted people to buy Artemis art work and idols. Instead of submitting to the Lord Jesus and opening their minds to use their gifts for him, they formed a loud, aggressive and dangerous assembly to denounce Jesus’ influence in Ephesus.
   The opposition gets very loud when the truth threatens. We must be loud, too, to stand firm, to denounce evil and to pray that people will know the truth. After all, it is only the truth that will set them free. (from John 8:32) 

Acts 19:13-20 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, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 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 their evil deeds. 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.  20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
 
IT was not uncommon for Jewish priests to pray to free people from demon possession. But they committed two deadly sins: First, they had not confessed and believed Jesus is the risen Christ. And second, they commanded the demons in the name of Jesus and of Paul. Without faith in God, there is no power from God. There is no power in a mere man to do God’s work.
   Jesus warned the Jews about such false teachings: Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Speaking in Jesus’ name without faith and conviction in our risen Lord condemns one to hell.
   The Spirit wanted to teach the Ephesians Jesus’ warning: Luke 12:4-5 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Many suddenly understood they needed a true faith in Jesus. Simply saying his name pointed to destruction.
   Believers, who had confessed Jesus, repented. They admitted they had not fully released idol worship and desires that limited a more complete relationship with Jesus. This was a sanctifying process for the believers. We all must cast aside the old to more completely grasp Jesus’ grace. People who practiced sorcery confessed Jesus. They burned documents equivalent to 150 men’s wages for one year.
            We must understand this battle is all around us. Jesus taught us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13 NIV) because the devil continually attacks. As a believer, Satan and his demons cannot reside in you. But they can influence you away from Jesus. Be alert. Know the Spirit is your power to defeat and dismiss any evil from your life. 

Grace Abounds
 
Acts 19:9-10 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. 
 
GOD graciously gave Paul three months to teach the gospel in the Ephesus synagogue. This was much more time and opportunity than Paul had experienced in other synagogues.
   When the Lord allowed the opposition to resist Paul, he then granted the apostle two years to teach in the lecture hall of Tyrannus! The Spirit’s favor gave the Christians a wonderful, sustained opportunity to watch the church grow. The Spirit sent many to hear the truth. All the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.  
   Asia was a province in Rome on the west coast of modern day Turkey; it was not then the name of a continent as it is now. And “all” refers to a significant number of people from Ephesus and surrounding communities.
   We can assume Paul was not the only evangelist. Priscilla and Aquila would likely have been among his disciples. We learn also Timothy was there. The Spirit would have gifted other new Christians to eagerly expand the gospel in Asia in the same life-changing ways he had done in Jerusalem:
 
Acts 19:11-12 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.
 
God rewarded Paul’s faithful service and favored Ephesus with a remarkable expression of his grace. Through extraordinary miracles people experienced God’s very personal, restoring touch. Perhaps this is one reason all in Asia came. Luke had reported God’s power demonstration eight other times: under the apostles’ (two times), Peter’s (three times), Paul and Barnabas’, Stephen’s and Philip’s ministries. Now Paul once again knew the joy of watching resurrect dead souls. Demonic possession is both spiritual and physical affliction. God’s grace saved his creation from Satan’s power.
   But there is one person here God did not heal. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take a (thorn in my flesh) away from me. Was God’s grace with Paul? The apostle said it was. He continued: 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  
   Paul could have been jealous of the healed and angry at God. But he knew Jesus had changed him from death to life. He loved his Savior. Thus, his weakness was a different form of God’s grace to help him trust God’s eternal love for him. God’s grace is, indeed, sufficient to take us into heaven forever.

Acts 19:8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.
 
FOR three months in a synagogue Paul argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. We would say that he spoke with great conviction about the truth that Jesus is the Christ. Let’s consider briefly what Paul would have said as he told the Jews about the kingdom of God.
   Paul would have declared the kingdom of God is God’s purpose for the world. The LORD first spoke this purpose to Satan in Genesis 3:15 And there will be war between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed: by him will your head be crushed and by you his foot will be wounded. (Basic Bible English)
   This is the promise of Satan’s total defeat and the Savior’s complete victory. From that day, God has been moving events to establish a new Paradise for redeemed mankind.
   Paul would have taught that God then chose Abraham as the seed of an earthly nation that would illustrate Paradise. He would have explained that the Exodus account confirms the evidence of God’s mighty power. Even as the Jews often rejected God’s commands, our Lord faithfully took them to his planned Promised Land. But even then, the Jews disobeyed and did not fully receive God’s promises to possess the earthly kingdom.
   Still Paul would have pointed out that God’s prophets promised the eternal kingdom and its ruler. Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
   As Paul continued his persuasion, he would have given evidence of Isaiah’s prophecy come true. One day in the Jordan River the Spirit used the prophet John to anoint Jesus of Nazareth. Soon thereafter the King announced his kingdom on earth. Matthew 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. This is the good news of righteousness, peace, and joy revealed from heaven into the world.
   The most difficult point in the argument would be to convince the Jews that the King was crucified. He was dead and buried. He rose again. Paul would have persuaded the Jews with the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection with the apostles’ testimony and his own encounter with Jesus! He knew Jesus is alive because Jesus changed his life. And with that testimony, Paul could quickly reason that Jesus is enthroned in heaven as ruler over all things: Luke 24:51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. From his throne he is coming again. Luke 21:27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  
   God planned his kingdom to come, his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. The kingdom has come and is here. The kingdom is also future when God’s promises are completely fulfilled.  Revelation 11:15b “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” 

Acts 19:1-7 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, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? “They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into 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.
 
ONCE again Luke was very brief with Paul’s travels. When Luke writes Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus, we can learn from other sources, including Colossians 4:13, that Paul ministered in Colosse, Laodicea and Hierapolis. We mention this because the church in Colosse later received Paul’s letter to the Colossians. And Laodicea is one of the seven churches to whom Jesus wrote (Revelation 3:14-19) In Colosee and Laodicea Paul planted churches that would help us learn of Jesus’ love, grace and truth.
   Another church we learn from is Ephesus. Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos have been to Ephesus. And now Paul will work from here for about three years. Paul’s letters, Ephesians and 1 and 2 Timothy, tell us Ephesus was a diverse church having strong periods of ministry and also many challenges to Christian unity as churches often do.
   Paul met disciples who had not heard of the Holy Spirit. These were men who, like Apollos, had received John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance. But they had not been taught of the Holy Spirit’s baptism to faith in Jesus. They were in the same step of their journey as the apostles had been before the Spirit anointed them at Pentecost.
   In response Paul taught them the full gospel. The Spirit then gifted these men to speak in tongues. This means they spoke in a foreign tongue they could not normally speak.
   Because of this and the apostles speaking in tongues at Pentecost, some teach that one is not a true Christian until he speaks in tongues. This is a severely limited view of salvation by grace through faith. The purpose of tongues – as well as the gifts of healing, preaching, teaching, etc. – was to overcome unbelief. Acts teaches us the Spirit does not follow any set pattern. He came into believers before baptism, at the time of or after baptism and by the laying on of apostolic hands.
   Yes, the Holy Spirit does indwell true believers. Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But we must remember the Spirit’s gifts are many. He anoints people to particular gifts and ministries for God’s purposes. Our purpose, in turn, is to faithfully respond to the LORD God’s gift to eternal life.  

Acts 18:27-28 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
 
YEARS after this when Paul was near the end of his life, he wrote these powerful words to Timothy, who then was a pastor at Ephesus: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Scripture knowledge is your Spirit-powered equipment to do God’s work.
   Apollos was equipped. His academic work in Alexandria, Egypt, and his gospel lessons under Priscilla and Aquila were bearing fruit. Apollos vigorously used what he had learned to be a great help to confirm and strengthen the new believers in Corinth. With a strong faith, true knowledge and determined purpose, Apollos debated the Jews to prove from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
   Consider how Apollos was similar to Paul. Both men were well-educated Jews. In each man the Spirit added to their knowledge of the Old Testament to know those Scriptures pointed to Jesus. Both men defended Jesus against the Jews’ persistent, forceful attempts to silence the gospel.
    Do you see what has happened in the early church? Jesus first appointed Paul to  his ministry and taught Paul to know Jesus is the Christ. Paul then taught Priscilla and Aquilla. This couple next taught Apollos. Paul taught as Jesus did, vigorously defending the kingdom of God against all persecution. Priscilla and Aquila preached as Paul. Apollos continued through Aquila’s and Priscilla’s mentoring. Vigorous mentors make vigorous preachers and teachers. Moving the gospel forward requires definite, forceful action. Complacency is not in a true Christian’s character.
   Your faith in Jesus requires a vigorous response, doesn’t it? The Bible tells us that In the moments, the days and the weeks after you confess, “Jesus is my Lord. He is my Savior.” evil begins his passionate assault against your faith. The Bible illustrates Satan’s methods as he quickly assaults Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). Adam and Eve weakly submitted to Satan’s promised pleasure above God’s life-giving commands. For thousands of years the devil then systematically attacked God’s people, flawed with pride, doubt and needless fears.
   Then Satan confronted Jesus immediately after the Spirit anoints Jesus to his ministry (Matthew 3, Luke 3). The Son of God strongly completed his ministry in the Spirit’s power, vigorously defending and fulfilling the Scriptures.  
   From Jesus, to the apostles, to anointed teachers, the gospel has come to you. It is your turn to be vigorous for the Good News.
    
 
  
 

Acts 18:24-26 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
 
APOLLOS arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria, Egypt, after Paul had left and before he returned. This timing helps us understand that God was placing his church into the hands of a growing number of trained, accomplished teachers. Obviously Paul and the other apostles could not sustain an increasing workload. The church needed more teachers and preachers. Aquila and Priscilla are developing into those leaders. Apollos has joined them.
   God had been preparing Apollos for ministry. Alexandria was the great learning center of the ancient world. Its vast library is estimated to have from 40,000 to 400,000 scrolls! Yes, that is a significant range, but consider even 40,000 hand-written scrolls teaching ad revealing theology, history, astronomy, biology, philosophy and mathematics! How much knowledge is that?
   But most importantly some of those scrolls contained the Law of Moses, the prophets and Hebrew history. Essentially, much of the Old Testament was there along with added scrolls on the Jews’ history and culture. Luke tells us Apollos understood God had moved the Jews’ history to Jesus. Without having directly heard the gospel, Apollos was very close to knowing it.
   Apollos wanted to teach what he knew, so he spoke boldly in the synagogue. That’s good, right? But when Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos speak, they realized he needed to know and receive the full gospel. So they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
   This is the church. Jesus had taught Paul that the prophets pointed to him. Paul had instructed Priscilla and Aquila. They taught Apollos. Each of Jesus’ appointed teachers was a good servant to learn the full gospel truth. Each responded to God’s call to consistently advance the gospel. 

Acts 18:19-22 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
 
WHEN Paul left Corinth he concluded what is known as Paul’s Second Missionary Journey. As he traveled toward Caesarea, Paul left Aquila and Priscilla to remain in Ephesus. Apparently Paul wanted them to develop a fellowship of believers who will look to them as trusted leaders.
   When Paul landed at Caesarea, he was back in Israel, about 70 miles – 115 kilometers – from Jerusalem. Some believe Paul was moving quickly to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. But Luke does not tell us Paul went to Jerusalem.
   Instead, Luke launches Acts next section - Paul’s Third Missionary Journey with the simple statement: then he went down to Antioch. This was a significant journey of 440 miles – 710 kilometers – from Caesarea. We refer to this distance to help you understand Paul’s determination to minister to the dispersed Jews and the Gentiles of the Roman world. We must remember very primitive transportation required a good deal of time and energy. Plus one was susceptible to many safety and health threats. Upon arrival in Antioch, Paul continued his work:
 
Acts 18:23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
 
Paul and Barnabas had spent a good amount of time in Antioch. It must have been encouraging to see the churches there growing and people learning the gospel. Perhaps this was a respite from a ministry of trial and confrontation. Paul had friends there, and he would have found comfort and strength to continue his work. He returned, also, to Galatia and Phrygia. Paul, Silas and Timothy had worked here before the Spirit called them to Philippi. Paul returns to strengthen the churches with a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and of God’s amazing salvation by grace through faith. The Galatian culture had a long history of division and warfare between three main tribes. To have people united in Christ with such antagonistic backgrounds was obviously a significant challenge. We can hear what Paul taught of Jesus’ sacrifice when we read his epistles.
   Meanwhile Priscilla and Aquila were faithfully holding the truth, responding to opportunities to develop more leaders. Active leaders activate a church. 

Acts 18:18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.
 
AFTER 18 months in Corinth,  Paul left for Syria. He had come from that general area on his way to Philippi. Apparently the Holy Spirit directed him to return there, so Paul could begin more new churches and strengthen others that had been meeting for years.
   Priscilla and Aquila had become much more than Paul’s tentmaking partners. He later referred to them in  Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. Fellow workers are close companions who do the same work together. Priscilla and Aquila would become effective church building pastors and teachers. It was time for the tentmakers to be disciple makers. 
   This is God’s way. As the Holy Spirit grows Jesus’ church, he continually chooses many people to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:11-12) Each work we do for Jesus is about serving him to build his church.
   As Paul departed Corinth, he stopped in Cenchrea, a southern port of Corinth, to get his hair cut off because of a vow he had taken. Was this at the end or beginning of a vow? It seems that Paul’s knowledge of God would deter him from taking a vow that required an external sign such as a full head of hair and beard or no hair at all. Isn’t a vow – a promise – to God from the heart good enough? Consider that when you confess your salvation in public, you are speaking a vow. Your purpose is to exhibit the Lord’s love and grace as you live into Jesus’ commands. Your promise and confession require only the outward sign of a godly life.
   Perhaps Paul had engaged in the Nazirite – meaning “separation” – vow that required, among other restrictions, no razor to hair and beard (Numbers 6:4). The vow could be as long as a person desired. Perhaps Paul committed himself to remain separate from Corinth’s many temptations. Sometimes external signs help us to remain faithful to God against a particular threat.
   Is a cross our sign today? Do you wear a cross on your clothes or have a cross in your home? If you do, may it be your reminder of your vow to follow the Crucified, Resurrected, Ascended One.
   Paul gave us a good way to live into our vow to God: Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.