Extraordinary Things in Ephesus
[ READ ] Acts 19:1-22
Paul in Ephesus
1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
The Sons of Sceva
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
A Riot at Ephesus
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
The Sons of Sceva
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
A Riot at Ephesus
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
The sons of Sceva are written to have invoked the name of "Jesus whom Paul proclaims" against demons. What stands out to me about this phrasing is not that they proclaimed or rebuked in the name of the Lord Jesus, but they witnessed the Holy Spirit move through another and thought that the power was simply in the name of the Lord, and not in the mighty authority of the Lord. They had no relationship with Jesus to speak of, yet they called on Him to come and move on their behalf. Whether it was truly at the hope of casting out demons for the sake of righteousness, or for the sake of glorifying themselves, neither was the case that they wanted the Kingdom of God to prevail.
How often do we hope that the Holy Spirit will move on our behalf just because we know He can, and not because we truly desire His will, His story, His plan?
The evil spirit they tried to command on their own authority by using the name of Jesus basically laughed at them. Embarrassed, horrified, defeated; these words don't even begin to describe how I would feel if a demon looked at me and said "I know the Jesus you're referring to, but I have no idea who you are." I have considered myself a prayer warrior at times, sure that the dark kingdom is scared of me. But when I think about that, did I think demons were scared of me when I called on the Lord? Or did I trust that they would tremble at His authority?
Don't let religious concepts of faith rob you of your relationship with Jesus today. We proudly profess the matchless name of Jesus, but on what grounds?
- Danielle Parker
How often do we hope that the Holy Spirit will move on our behalf just because we know He can, and not because we truly desire His will, His story, His plan?
The evil spirit they tried to command on their own authority by using the name of Jesus basically laughed at them. Embarrassed, horrified, defeated; these words don't even begin to describe how I would feel if a demon looked at me and said "I know the Jesus you're referring to, but I have no idea who you are." I have considered myself a prayer warrior at times, sure that the dark kingdom is scared of me. But when I think about that, did I think demons were scared of me when I called on the Lord? Or did I trust that they would tremble at His authority?
Don't let religious concepts of faith rob you of your relationship with Jesus today. We proudly profess the matchless name of Jesus, but on what grounds?
- Danielle Parker
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ The sons who attempted to cast out demons are called exorcists in the passage. They have identity and perhaps career built around in the ability to cast out demons. Do you think their use of the name of Jesus was out of desire to know Jesus, or a desire for outcomes which made them appear successful?
+ After having seen the havoc the evil spirit wreaked on the men after this, a number (not recounted) of Jews and Greeks turned to the Lord Jesus, a clear example of the Lord using all things for good. Why do you think their reaction after holy fear was to confess, and bring their "magic arts" or sorcery books together to burn them?
+ The sons who attempted to cast out demons are called exorcists in the passage. They have identity and perhaps career built around in the ability to cast out demons. Do you think their use of the name of Jesus was out of desire to know Jesus, or a desire for outcomes which made them appear successful?
+ After having seen the havoc the evil spirit wreaked on the men after this, a number (not recounted) of Jews and Greeks turned to the Lord Jesus, a clear example of the Lord using all things for good. Why do you think their reaction after holy fear was to confess, and bring their "magic arts" or sorcery books together to burn them?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Do you find yourself seeking God's outcomes, or Jesus and His presence more?
+ When is the last time you confessed where you are trying to stay in control of your own life, and what might you need to bring before the Lord to burn (metaphorically)?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Do you find yourself seeking God's outcomes, or Jesus and His presence more?
+ When is the last time you confessed where you are trying to stay in control of your own life, and what might you need to bring before the Lord to burn (metaphorically)?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord above, thank You for hearing me, for listening, for answering, and for moving on my behalf. I realize that I don't deserve any of it, yet there are moments that my reverence for Your presence is lacking. I don't want to seek outcomes, yet more often than I care to admit, that's how I behave. I recognize that I even have moments in which I come to you in prayer and deceive myself into believing that my reason is just to get into Your presence, while You know that in my heart is prayer for the sake of seeking what I want. Forgive me Father. Whatever is drawing me away from You or keeping me from calling on You, burn it all down. Protect me from the sins that I am capable of when I don't have You. Draw me near to those who help me to draw near to You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord above, thank You for hearing me, for listening, for answering, and for moving on my behalf. I realize that I don't deserve any of it, yet there are moments that my reverence for Your presence is lacking. I don't want to seek outcomes, yet more often than I care to admit, that's how I behave. I recognize that I even have moments in which I come to you in prayer and deceive myself into believing that my reason is just to get into Your presence, while You know that in my heart is prayer for the sake of seeking what I want. Forgive me Father. Whatever is drawing me away from You or keeping me from calling on You, burn it all down. Protect me from the sins that I am capable of when I don't have You. Draw me near to those who help me to draw near to You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
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