ACTS 19
BY TEACHING IN EPHESUS, PAUL SPREADS THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT ASIA
While Paul is in Ephesus, he meets some disciples who heard the news of the coming Savior through John the Baptist. Upon hearing John’s message, paving the way for Jesus, they were baptized, but because they did not know of Jesus’ arrival, they were not yet filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul shares the news of Jesus with the disciples, and they are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit.
Remaining in Ephesus for three months, Paul speaks about the kingdom of God until the people become stubborn with unbelief. Paul retreats from the synagogues and spends two years speaking in a lecture hall. Because Ephesus is a central place of trade, it serves as a hub for travelers from Asia. Because of his preaching, the gospel spreads throughout Asia, and churches are founded in the cities of Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Colossae.
God continues doing extraordinary miracles through Paul. Even Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons are given to the sick to heal diseases and cast out spirits! Some of the Jewish priests, who do not believe in Jesus, attempt to speak the name of Jesus over those with evil spirits. Upon doing this, they encounter an evil spirit and become afraid. In response, they burn their books about magic and divination. Despite their misuse of Jesus’ name, the news of Jesus as the Savior continues to increase and prevail throughout the city.
While Paul is first in Asia, there is little disturbance surrounding his teaching and the new believers. After some time, a silversmith named Demetrius realizes that businesses selling man-made idols are receiving less traffic. Demetrius is concerned that Artemis, the goddess who is worshiped throughout Asia, is being disregarded.
Noticing the change throughout Asia, caused by the followers of Jesus, Demetrius revolts. Demetrius causes a stir among the people and forms an angry mob, creating great confusion.
Although the crowd is not enthused with Paul’s teaching, they cannot find anything deliberately sacrilegious or blasphemous about his message and cannot arrest him.
