Acts 19

There is a lot going on in this chapter as Paul spends an extended time in Ephesus. These disciples of John are an example of people that can be so close to having it right and yet they still need to believe in Jesus. All their searching and learning up to this point are useful in preparing them to believe, and God honors that by connecting them with Paul, but still they have to receive Him. And God validates the significance of it by allowing them to speak in tongues and prophecy. This is not a normative experience in the Bible, but does happen in Acts when barriers are crossed…here the barrier of those who had faith in God as Jesus lived but had never believed. They too need to be assured that they have salvation.

And Paul goes to the synagogue first, but then seeks other means when the Jews reject the gospel. And how impressive it is as Paul perseveres In proclaiming the gospel that all those in Asia heard the word of the Lord. And God support the work by allowing miracles to be a part of Paul’s ministry. One of them being what happened to the sons of Sceva. What a lesson in not having symbol without substance, saying the name of Jesus without having placed your faith in Him. The demons knew better than them and taught them a lesson in the process. And yet what a great result happens, the result that should happen as we believe in Jesus, we turn our backs on other faiths and practices that are inconsistent with who Jesus is and what He promoted. And what a further testimony of the power of Christ to transform lives, is the people profiting from the false religion aren’t selling as much product. Jesus is putting the idol makers out of business. Oh that that could be the effect that believers have on our world today. Now because they are upset by their loss of income (and pretending it’s about their dedication to Artemis), they stir up the crowd. And there is a great statement In this passage about mob mentality, at some point you don’t even know what the issue is. Now once again the cause and people of Christ are rescued by a wise government official. And he makes 2 primary points: Artemis shouldn’t need you to defend her and they must be ruled by a standard of law and air grievances through those channels. Any society is wise to function on a standard of law and provide the freedom for people to worship God and proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. May we see those elements continue in our great country as well.