Acts 19:11 – 20:16

Thursday Evening Bible Study

December 13, 2007

Introduction

Paul has started his third missionary journey. This time he starts out in Antioch, travels through the Galatian churches to encourage them, and then heads overland to Ephesus where he had made a brief visit on his last trip. On his last trip to Ephesus he had left his friends Aquila and Priscilla, who had a ministry with a fellow named Apollos. When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he found some early disciples of Apollos and came to the conclusion that these fellows didn’t have the Holy Spirit. Paul has explained Jesus better to them, baptized them, and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit when Paul laid hands on them.

Last week we mentioned some about the city of Ephesus:

Ephesus – The city was a commercial center, being one of the major seaports on the Aegean Sea. It was a political center, the capital of the Roman province of “Asia” (it seems that Paul likes to go to the Roman provincial capitals – Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus). Ephesus was also a religious center. The ancient myth was that some sort of “image”, perhaps a meteorite, had fallen from Diana in heaven. The locals built a temple to this goddess Diana (also known as Artemis). The temple was huge and was one of the seven wonders of the world.

Timothy would one day be the pastor in Ephesus (1Tim. 1:3). The apostle John would also spend his final years in Ephesus. This is the city where Jesus would write a letter (Rev. 2) and warn them about having left their “first love”.

map

Acts 19

:11-20 Unusual miracles

:11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,

unusual – all miracles are “unusual”, but these ones were just plain freaky.

:12 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.

handkerchiefs – soudarion – a handkerchief; a cloth for wiping perspiration from the face and for cleaning the nose and also used in swathing the head of a corpse

People are raiding the trashcans for Paul’s used Kleenexes of sweaty headbands. They are getting healed and demons are fleeing at the sight of them.

:13 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."

exorcists – exorkistes (“exorcist” = “out of” + “oath”) – he who extracts an oath of one; an exorcist; one who employs a formula of conjuration for expelling demons

:14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

Sceva = “mind reader”

:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"

There are two different words here, both translated “know”. More literally, “Jesus I know personally from experience, and Paul I am acquainted with, but who are you?”

Isn’t it kind of strange to think that there might be demons in the spirit world who know you, as a Christian, by name? (and are afraid of your kleenex?)

:16 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.

One demon possessed man overcomes seven men.

Lesson

Where is the power?

We tend to think of there being “power” and “authority” in the name of Jesus – which is true in a sense. Yet the power isn’t in the sound of someone speaking the name, the power is in the one who is using the name and their relationship to the Person who owns that name.

As a believer in Jesus, you and I have authority to cast out demons. But an unbeliever isn’t able to use the name of Jesus in this way.

When we ask Jesus to come into our life, we have a power greater than that of Satan:

(1 John 4:4 NKJV) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Jesus gives authority over demons to those who follow Him.

(Luke 10:19 NKJV) "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

:17 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.

:18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.

:19 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.

magic – periergos (“about” + “work”) – busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters; esp. busy about other folks’ affairs, a busybody; of things: impertinent and superfluous; of magic arts

The word almost reminds me of things like “National Enquirer” or “The Star”. Wasteful stuff.

books – these would not just be books about magic, but Ephesus was famous for what was called its “Ephesian Letters”, which were slips of papyrus or parchment that contained symbols, magical sentences, incantations, and were worn as amulets and charms.

it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver –

Sir William Ramsay, archaeologist: “The money value of the books that were destroyed is another touch that is thoroughly characteristic of the oriental popular tale. The inability of the vulgar oriental mind to conceive any other aim, object, or standard in the world except money, and its utter slavery to gold, are familiar to every one who has seen the life of the people, or studied the Arabian Nights: in the West one sees nothing like the simple, childish frankness with which the ordinary oriental measures all things by gold, and can conceive of no other conscious aim except gold. So far as the oriental peasant is natural and unconscious, he is interesting and delightful, and his complete difference of nature at once attracts and holds at a distance the man of Western thoughts; but so far as he consciously attempts to conceive motives and form plans, gold is his sole standard of value.”

:20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

Lesson

Repentance

What is happening here is the process of “sanctification”. People are finding that Jesus changes lives, and they are walking away from evil things.

They don’t seem to be concerned about the value of the things they were throwing away. They weren’t concerned about all the money they had invested in these “evil” things.

Notice that this “repentance” was done “in the sight of all” (vs. 19).

(James 5:16 NKJV) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed…

There’s something powerful that happens when we learn to walk away from the “darkness” in a public way. That is part of the value of the “altar call”, when we come forward to admit our need for Jesus.

Illustration

During the Welsh Revival of 1904, something close to 100,000 people came to Christ. Lives were changed:

“People were changed in so many ways. The crime rate dropped, drunkards were reformed, pubs reported losses in trade. Bad language disappeared and never returned to the lips of many – it was reported that the pit ponies failed to understand their born again colliers who seemed to speak the new language of Zion – without curse and blasphemy – even football and rugby became uninteresting in the light of new joy and direction received by the Converts.”

:21-41 The Ephesian Riot

:21 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."

As this revival is taking place, God has been moving on Paul’s heart that it was time to move on. His intention is to go from Ephesus on to the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, which would include Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth. Then he intends to go to Jerusalem, and hopefully one day on to Rome.

:22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

Bible Students: Mark your Bibles – “AD 56, Paul writes 1Corinthians”

You can see some of these things mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians:

(1 Cor 16:5-12 NKJV) Now I will come to you (to Corinth) when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). {6} And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. {7} For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. {8} But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. {9} For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

We’re going to take a peek at these “adversaries” in a minute.

{10} Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

Acts 19:22 tells us Timothy would be sent to Corinth by way of Macedonia.

{11} Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren. {12} Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

Apparently during Paul’s three years in Ephesus, Apollos had come back to Ephesus from Corinth, and he wasn’t too excited about going back to Corinth.

:23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.

Here is a window into some of the “adversaries” (1Cor. 16:9) Paul wrote about.

:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.

Making these little “shrines” was a big business.

:25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.

:26 "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.

:27 "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."

The repentance we saw being done back in Acts 19:19 was having an economic impact on the city of Ephesus. People who had made their living off of idolatry were finding themselves out of work.

:28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"

Diana of the Romans and Artemis of the Greeks were the same goddess, but this is NOT that goddess. That’s why she’s called “Diana of the Ephesians”. She was separate deity, probably linked closer to the Syrian Astarte (also known as Ashtoreth and Molech).

Remember that Ephesus had this “thing” that had fallen from heaven, around which the Ephesians had built a temple dedicated to Diana. The temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the world.

:29 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.

The theater in Ephesus held 25,000 people.

:30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.

:31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.

officials – These men, called “Asiarchs”, were wealthy men who would use their own money to put on festivals and games, some of which were connected to worship of pagan gods and the worship of the emperor. Some had become friends of Paul. It does not necessarily mean that these men had become believers yet.

:32 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.

The danger of “mob” mentality. Most of the people didn’t have a clue what was really going on.

:33 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.

Alexander was a Jew like Paul, but not a Christian. The Jews, like Paul, were opposed to idolatry. But the Jews were afraid that they were getting drawn into this mess along with Paul, and Alexander seems to want to try and separate the Jews from the Christians.

This may be the same man Paul will later warn Timothy (who was in Ephesus at the time) about:

2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

:34 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!"

Lesson

Avoiding the truth

These people are keeping up their chant because they don’t want to hear the truth.

The gods and goddesses of the pagan religions enabled people to live according to the desires of their flesh.

They are afraid of someone taking their “stuff” away?

What are the kinds of things that people do today to fill the emptiness inside?

Drinking, drugs, sex, entertainment, sports, boating/dirt biking/RVing kinds of things, travel, education …

Not all this stuff is bad. The problem comes when you try to fill the emptiness inside with “stuff” instead of Jesus.

Rather than risk losing their “stuff”, these people are satisfied chanting their mantra over and over again until the truth goes away.

Today, the city of Ephesus is gone. The worldwide worship of Diana is gone. The temple of Diana is gone. The silversmith’s guild is gone. But the good news of Jesus Christ and His church is still going.

What are you settling for in your life? How are you filling the emptiness?

:35 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?

city clerk – actually the title of the highest elected official in Ephesus, like a “mayor”. Remember that Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia.

:36 "Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.

:37 "For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.

I find this interesting. Paul and the Christians in Ephesus didn’t have a reputation of slamming the idolators.

Sometimes Christians have the reputation of all the things they are “against”. We’re “against” drugs, alcohol, sex, abortion, homosexuality, Democrats, higher taxes, Catholics, Mormons, illegal immigrants, etc, etc.

Some of those things are surely things we ought to be “against”. Some of those things aren’t things we should be against (figure it out for yourself).

Wouldn’t it be nice if as Christians we were more known by what we are “for” rather than just what we are “against”?

We are for Jesus. We are for changed lives.

:38 "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.

If you have a problem with Paul, then sue him…

:39 "But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.

:40 "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."

It was not a good idea for a Roman colony to get a reputation for being “disorderly”. That just might bring in more Roman troops.

:41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts 20

:1-6 Off to Greece

:1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.

Paul had been planning (Acts 19:21) on going to Macedonia (Philippi, Berea, etc.) then to Corinth, and then to Jerusalem. (see map)

Bible Students: Write in your margins – “AD 56: Paul writes 2Corinthians from Philippi.”

One of the things Paul is doing is beginning a collection for the people of Jerusalem who were going through financial hardship.

When Paul writes ahead to the Corinthians (in 2Corinthians), he mentions this collection:

(2 Cor 8:1-4 NKJV) Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: {2} that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. {3} For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, {4} imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Paul even uses the Macedonians to shame the Corinthians into getting their act together in their giving:

(2 Cor 9:1-4 NKJV) Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; {2} for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. {3} Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; {4} lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

:2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece

:3 and stayed three months.

Greece – Paul is in Corinth. Greece is also known as “Achaia”, of which Corinth is the capital. (see map)

Bible Students: Write in your margins – “Paul writes Romans from Corinth”

Do you remember what kind of city Corinth was known for being? It was the capital of immorality in the world.

Do you see any hints of this in Paul’s letter to the Romans?

(Rom 1:22-32 NKJV) Professing to be wise, they became fools, {23} and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. {24} Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, {25} who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. {26} For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. {27} Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. {28} And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; {29} being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, {30} backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, {31} undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; {32} who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Paul had a good idea of what a world turned away from God could become. He had Corinth all around him.

Remember how Paul had been planning on going to Macedonia, Corinth, Jerusalem, and then Rome? You see it in his writing to the Romans at this point:

(Rom 1:13 NKJV) Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.

(Rom 15:23-28 NKJV) But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, {24} whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. {25} But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. {26} For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. {27} It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. {28} Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.

:3 And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

Instead of going to Jerusalem more directly by sea, Paul decides to go back through the Macedonian churches on his way to Jerusalem. (see map)

:4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia; also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

:5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.

Paul’s group of disciples went ahead and made the trip across the Aegean to meet Paul at Troas while Paul heads north by land to Macedonia.

us – We believe that Doctor Luke, the author of “Acts”, had left Paul back in Acts 16:40, when Paul went through Philippi the first time. Now we get the hint that Luke is going to go with Paul on to Jerusalem from Philippi, as he starts again to refer to Paul’s group as “us”.

Lesson

Don’t travel alone

If you look at Acts 20:4, you will notice that Paul has picked up a group of men selected from the various churches and regions that he has visited. (see map)

Sopater was from Berea (Macedonia)

Aristarchus and Secundus were from Thessalonica (also Macedonia)

Gaius was from Derbe, one of the Galatian cities

Timothy was actually from Lystra, one of the Galatian cities

Tychicus and Trophimus were from Asia, most likely Ephesus.

Why does Paul take these guys along with him? Why so many guys from so many different churches?

It could be that they are all going to represent their churches when the group brings the financial gift (Rom. 15:26) to Jerusalem.

To me, I see a picture of Paul making “disciples”

Paul took Jesus seriously when Jesus commanded that we “make disciples”.

(Mat 28:18-20 NKJV) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. {19} "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

We call this passage the “Great Commission”. Most evangelical Christians take this passage very seriously. We take it as our “marching orders” from Jesus. We take it as the list of things we ought to be aiming at as believers.

But Jesus doesn’t say “make converts”. He says to “make disciples”.

Sometimes well-meaning Christians feel that their goal in life is only to go out witnessing and leading people to Jesus. That is a wonderful calling. But it’s only part of what Jesus is talking about.

Jesus wants us to learn how to make mature Christians, men and women who will follow and obey Jesus.

Paul reminded Timothy about what it meant to make disciples.

(2 Tim 2:2 NKJV) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

When you look at Paul’s life, you see that he did this very thing. He took men with him to teach them about Jesus and to teach them to follow Jesus.

Aristarchus was one of the guys caught in the riot in Ephesus. He’ll eventually travel to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:2), and even be in prison with Paul (Col.4:10).

Timothy – from Lystra was Paul’s right hand man.

Tychicus would be one of Paul’s messengers while in prison (Co. 4:7)

Trophimus would make it to Jerusalem with Paul (Acts 21:29), and was still active in ministry at the end of Paul’s life (2Tim.4:20)

Here’s my point – as you grow as a Christian, find people you can take along with you on your journey. It doesn’t matter whether or not you feel like you’ve been “discipled”. It’s about passing it on to the next generation. Don’t travel alone.

:6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Unleavened Bread – also known as “Passover”, overlapping Jewish feasts.

Troas – also believed to be the ancient city of Troy. See map

:7-12 Ministry in Troas

:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

first day – for those who insist that worship should be on Saturday, note that the church in Troas met on Sunday. Sunday would have been a work day for the world, the church will meet at night.

until midnight – and you thought some of my Bible Studies went long!

:8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.

lamps – lets you know that there might have been a lack of oxygen in the room. It was the warm room that put people to sleep, not Paul … right???

:9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.

Eutychus – Eutuchos – “fortunate”

:10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him."

It seems that Paul was used to raise Eutychus from the dead.

:11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.

:12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

Lesson

Don’t preach too long unless you know you can raise the dead.

A good lesson for Bible teachers.

:13-16 Troas to Miletus

:13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.

The team takes the ship to Assos. Paul walks to Assos. For some reason it seems that Paul wants to spend some time alone. And this is after spending the entire night preaching and ministering to people.

:14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.

:15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.

:16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

Hop, skipping, and jumping southward along the coast of Asia. See map

Prior to the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19), Paul had been planning on staying in Ephesus until Pentecost.

(1 Cor 16:8 NKJV) But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

Now his plans have all changed and he’s trying to get to Jerusalem in time to celebrate Pentecost.

past Ephesus – Paul is afraid that if he makes a stop in the city of Ephesus, he’ll never get away in time to make it to Jerusalem for Pentecost.

Since the Passover that Paul spent in Philippi, he’s already taken about 24 days to go 360 miles to Miletus. That only leaves 26 days to go another 650 miles to get all the way to Jerusalem.

Lesson

Choosing my priorities

Sometimes we can get so busy and so caught up with things that we “need” to do, that we feel helpless to do the things we really want to do.

Someone once wrote an article titled, "If You Are 35, You Have 500 Days to Live." Its thesis was that when you subtract the time spent sleeping, working, tending to personal matters, hygiene, odd chores, medical matters, eating, traveling, and miscellaneous time-stealers, in the next thirty-six years you will have roughly the equivalent of only five hundred days left to spend as you wish.

General Eisenhower is quoted as saying, "The urgent is seldom important, and the important is seldom urgent."

(Psa 90:12 KJV) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Be careful about telling people you don’t have time to do something. In the end, no one else is responsible for how you spend your time. Only you are responsible for that.