In The Word
Read: Acts 19:1-20
Paul in Ephesus
19 Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “On the contrary, we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, having discussions and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took the disciples away with him, and had discussions daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Miracles at Ephesus
11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, “I order you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches!” 14 Now there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, doing this. 15 But the evil spirit responded and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit, pounced on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18 Also many of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices.19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they added up the prices of the books and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.20 So the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing mightily.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Paul’s journey brought him to a group of believers who had experienced John’s baptism of repentance, but had not heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). After an explanation of the difference, the group was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. He laid his hands on them and witnessed the Holy Spirit come upon them with evidence of speaking in tongues and prophesying. He would spend two years with these believers, and it was said that all who lived in Asia heard the gospel (Acts 19:10).
As Paul continued to spread the gospel in other parts of the country, he was witnessing great miracles of God during the process. Many people today don’t believe in miracles. It’s been a while since the great miracle workers of the past, those from the revivals of the Great Awakenings. I believe we will witness these miracles again when the Holy Spirit moves on our country again. As believers, it’s our duty to pray that God moves again with a great outpouring of His loving-kindness. It’s been approximately thirty-five years since the last Awakening, and, like today, it was a very dark time for our country. The world needs Jesus, and we are chosen to bring that message. As people become more discouraged, frightened of the future, they will become more receptive to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to share that message? Are you living a life that God can use as an example of a true believer? If not, start living that life today!