Acts Chapter 19
Paul Enters Ephesus
1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took the route through the higher country, and came down to Ephesus and found some disciples. 2 He said, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They said, “We’ve not even heard if the Holy Spirit has come.”
3 “So, what were you baptized into?”
“John’s baptism.”
4 Paul said, “John baptized to repentance and told the people to trust in the One that would come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard that, they were baptized into the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in languages and prophesy. 7 There were about twelve of those men.
8 He went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, persuading them about God’s kingdom. 9 When some started resisting and saying negative things about The Way in public, he separated the disciples from them and reasoned every day in the school of Tyrannus. 10 That went on for two years, so many Jews and Gentiles in Asia heard the Lord’s message.
Acts 19:1-10
The Sons of Sceva
11 God was doing extraordinary miracles through Paul. 12 Even towels and aprons carried from his body made diseases go away and evil spirits come out. 13 Some Jewish traveling exorcists tried to name the Lord Jesus over people that had evil spirits, “I adjure you by Jesus that Paul preaches.” 14 Seven sons of a Jew named Sceva, a chief priest, were doing that. 15 But the evil spirit answered, “I know Jesus, I recognize Paul, but who are you?” 16 The man with the evil spirit overpowered them all, and they fled from the house naked and injured. 17 The Jews and Greeks in Ephesus all heard about it. Everyone became afraid and respected the name of the Lord Jesus. 18 Many believers came and confessed things they’d done. 19 A large number that practiced witchcraft brought their books together and burned them in public. They calculated their value at 50,000 drachmas. 20 That’s how powerfully the Lord’s message was growing.
21 After that, Paul decided to go through Macedonia and Greece on the way to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there, I need to see Rome too.” 22 He sent two aides on ahead—Timothy and Erastus, while he stayed in Asia for a while.
Acts 19:11-22
The Riot in Ephesus
23 About that time a major disturbance came up about The Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing a thriving business to the craftsmen. 25 He gathered them and similar tradesmen,
“You know our livelihood depends on this craft. 26 You also see that in Ephesus and most of Asia this Paul has misled a sizable crowd, saying that handmade gods aren’t gods. 27 Our business is in danger of losing its reputation, people will discount the Temple of the great goddess Artemis, and she that Asia and the world worship will lose her grandeur.”
Acts 19:23-27
28 That infuriated them, and they started shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The city was in turmoil. They rushed into the amphitheater, dragging Gaius and Aristarchus of Macedonia, Paul’s companions. 30 When he wanted to go into the amphitheater, the disciples wouldn’t let him. 31 Some Asiarchs that were friendly to him also sent word, urging him not to go into the theater. 32 Some were shouting one thing, some another. The mob descended into confusion; most didn’t know what the gathering was about. 33 Some people supposed Alexander had caused the uproar since the Jews had put him forward. He motioned with his hand to make a defense to the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, one outcry erupted from everybody for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts 19:28-34
35 After the secretary of the city quieted the crowd, he said,
“Ephesians, who doesn’t know that Ephesus is temple keeper for the great Artemis and the image that fell from Zeus? 36 Since no one can deny that, you need to come to order and not do something rash. 37 You haven’t accused these men of committing sacrilege or blaspheming our goddess. 38 If Demetrius and associate craftsmen want to file suit against them, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available. They can bring charges against one another. 39 If you want anything else, it’ll be settled in lawful assembly. 40 We’re in danger of being charged with rioting over today’s affair because there’s no reason for it. We won’t be able to account for this uproar.”
41 He dismissed the assembly.
Acts 19:35-41