The Reporter     Volume 46 # 35,  --  August 31, 2006

 

A Book Burning And An Uproar
– Acts Nineteen –

 

   Paul went to Ephesus after Apollos had left for Corinth. At Ephesus he found about twelve men that believed, but they knew only the John's baptism. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance looking for the coming of Christ.

 

   Paul asked these men if they had received the Holy Ghost. They had not even heard of the Holy Ghost. In the early days of the church baptized believers were given miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the apostles’ hands. (Acts 8:14-15) These men were gladly baptized when they learned that baptism into Christ puts a person into a saved relationship with God. After their baptism, (1) Paul laid his hands on them, (2) the Holy Ghost came on them, and (3) they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

 

   Paul went into the synagogue at Ephesus for about three months. He spoke with power about Christ and His kingdom. Many Jews were stubborn and refused to believe. They said horrible things about God's Way. Paul took the believers to the school of Tyrannus where he taught them daily. This teaching continued for two years. The result was that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus."

 

   During this time God gave Paul the power to work great miracles.  Certain evil people started going about claming to do the same kind of things that Paul did. Seven son of Sceva were among that number. They called the name of Jesus over a man that was possessed with evil spirits. The evil spirits said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" The man with the evil spirit jumped on them and beat them down and they ran out of the house, naked and bruised.

 

   The things that happened to these men caused many to fear. They confessed their deeds and burned their books dealing with the subject of witchcraft. The result was that the word of God grew mightily and prevailed. 

 

   While Paul remained at Ephesus some people caused serious trouble for the Lord's Way. Demetrius stirred up the people against Christians. He made his living making silver images of the goddess Diana. As people became Christians he was losing income. Demetrius stirred all that were of the same craft as he. When the mob came together they shouted, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" for the space of about two hours. Soon the whole city was in a riot.

 

   They caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel; they rushed to the place where the town meetings were held. Paul wanted to speak to the people but the disciples would not allow him to take such a risk. In typical mob fashion everyone was completely confused, and most of them did not even know why they were there.

 

   A smart man with some common sense told the people that Demetrius and his workers should take their complaint to the judges and the courts. He said that the people could easily be accused of starting a riot for which there was no excuse.

 

   Twelve men were baptized at Ephesus – Acts 19:1-10: Paul went to Ephesus after Apollos had gone to Corinth. At Ephesus he met some disciples that had been baptized with John's baptism. The way that Paul knew that something was wrong with their baptism was when he asked if they had received the Holy Ghost (miraculous gift by the laying on of the apostles hands). They said they had not even heard of the Holy Ghost. They were then baptized with Christ's baptism. After their baptism "Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."

 

   Both John's baptism and Christ's baptism were preceded by repentance. Remission of sins was the result of both. However, the baptism of the great commission puts the believer into Christ. This baptism is done in the name of Christ or by His authority.

 

   For three months Paul went into the Jewish synagogue "disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God." But some spoke so terribly of God's way that Paul took the believers and started teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus. He taught there for two years and the result was that all Jew and Gentile in Asia had heard the Lord's message.

 

   Books about witchcraft were burned – Acts 19:11-20: God blessed Paul with the power to work great miracles. Many sick people were healed and evil sprits were cast out. Some vagabond Jews took it upon them to call the name of the Jesus whom Paul preached over them that had evil spirits. Seven sons of Sceva were doing this.

 

   The evil spirit answered the sons of Sceva by saying, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" The man with the evil spirit jumped on them and beat them down. They ran out of the house, naked and wounded. This caused the Jews and Greeks to fear and the name of the Lord to be magnified. As people began to talk about what had happened those that had been practicing witchcraft brought their books and burned them in public. This caused the word of God to grow and prevail.

 

   Demetrius caused a riot in Ephesus – Acts 19:21-34: Paul planned to go to Macedonia, Achaia, Jerusalem, and then to also see Rome. Christianity (That Way) is always in conflict with the evils of the world. At Ephesus Demetrius, a silversmith, that made images to the goddess Diana cause a public riot. He earned a lot of money that he would lose if people turned from idol worship.

 

   The people shouted "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" for about two hours. The entire city was filled with confusion. Paul wanted to try to speak to the people, but the disciples would not allow him to do so. Demetrius had stirred up an out of control mob. "Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together."

 

   A town clerk used common sense – Acts 19:35-41: Finally, a town official that had some common sense begged the mob to "be quiet, and to do nothing rashly." He suggested that if Demetrius and his workers have a legal case against these Christian that they should take them to court. He said, "We have courts and judges. Let them take their complaints there."

 

   He also explained that if they were not satisfied there that the matter should be considered by a lawful assembly. He said that there was no excuse for being accused of starting a riot. He knew they could not give a reason for this uproar. With this thought he dismissed the people.

 

   Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to go to heaven? Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) Truth must be heard, understood and obeyed in order to bring salvation.  Once you learn the truth of God's word hold it with all your strength and heart. (I Corinthians 15:58)

 

- - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Leroy Waller. Baptist East Hospital: Abbie, Austin, and Andrew Herring. In Need Of Prayers: Nikki Bennett, Dannie Box, Janice Box, Gene Buck, Emily Cain, Stacie Davis, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, Montine Hardin, Evan Hartsell, Brenda Herring, Jimmy Hobbie, Ann Jackson (surgery), Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence (surgery), Joyce Massey, Clay Newton (test), Curtis Newton (brother of Vickie Clark), Hunter Owens, Mary Powell, Lydia Ann Raybon (after hospital stay), Meg Sellers (mother of Stacie Davis), Roger Strange, Doris Taylor, and Gladys Warren. Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis, Ethel Gafford, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, Floyd Smith, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, and Mary Lou Phelps.

 

2. Please Pray For: (a) Alan Jackson as he serves in Iraq. Address: SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117^th FA, APO AE09378, 3^rd PLT. (b) Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders is serving in the Iraq area. (c) Danny Payne, son-in-law of Donald & Nell Davis is serving in the Iraq area. (d) Jason Godwin will go to Iraq on September 10^th. 

 

3. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: September 3^rd William Pierce, September 4^th Jeff Harris, September 7^th Elizabeth Perdue, September 8^th Bruce Cauthen and Ryan Taylor, and September 9^th Heather Bagents, Tony Bozeman, Kimberly Hittell and Jamey Thomas.

 

4. Back To School Party: A “Back to School” party is planned for September 3^rd after evening service. Please bring school supplies to be given to needy children and also bring finger foods. See Darrell Powell or Alicia Sexton for details.

 

5. Ladies Bible Class: All ladies are invited and encouraged to attend Ladies Bible Class which will resume meeting 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6^th for a devotional and a salad luncheon. Bring your favorite salad and join the class. We will begin studying from the New Testament workbook September 13^th.

 

6. Good To See You: It was good to have Willie & Brenda Herring in worship on Sunday. Their babies have a few more days in the hospital. Continue to pray for and support them.

 

7. 50^th Anniversary Announcement: Celebrate a 50^th Anniversary with Dennis and Virginia Lowery on September 16, 2006, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Hosted by their children and grandchildren. RSVP by September 1^st – Telephone 334-382-6451 (Sign up sheet on the bulletin board.)

 

8. Church Directory: Our new directories are now available. We are distributing them first to those that had their pictures made and them to others. A special “Thank You” to all that helped produced the directory.

 

9. Apology: We do not know how this happened but Gene and Dorothy Buck had their picture made but it did not appear in the directory. We want them to know we love them and apologize for this mistake.

 

10. Kitchen Sign Out Sheet: There is a sign out sheet in the kitchen for all kitchen and all-purpose room items. Please help us keep up with things.

 

11. Area Events: (a) September 15^th – Acapella Singing – Colvin Street Church of Christ, Anniston (b) September 16^th – Ladies Day – College Street Church of Christ – Speaker Charlynda Pierce – Theme “Women, Are We There Yet?” (I Corinthians 6 & Proverbs 20:24) – Time 9:00 a.m. (c) September 25-27 – Spiritual Enrichment Forum at Embassy Suites Hotel – Southern Christian University. (d) September 26-30 – Heritage Christian University – 35^th Annual Evangelism Workshop – Theme “A Future and a Hope”

 

12. Area Wide Youth Devotional: Thanks to the Grandview Pines Church of Christ and all our youth who attended this month. The next area wide will be September 10^th at the Prattville Church of Christ.

 

Is “Safe” Really Better Than “Sorry”?

 

   If we spent more time doing the things that we know are moral and good, I wonder if we would still have time to speculate about the activities that might be “questionable” for Christians. I think that’s a valid thought for all to consider. I mean, if we all just spent our spare time enjoying God’s creation, spending time with loved ones, watching or playing our favorite sports, piddling with our various hobbies, singing praises to God, or teaching and serving others, etc., could we not be completely content with those things? Would we still feel the need to edge ever closer to that “line” between good and evil? What would your life be like if you simply ceased doing morally questionable things.

 

   Would you gamble, if you were committed to doing only things that are surely good? The man who was given one talent was called wicked and slothful because he just didn’t do anything with the money he was given (Mt 25). How will the man or woman who uses questionable methods to get gain be viewed by the Master?

 

   What clothes would you wear if you were only interested in doing that which was certain to be right? Where would one who wanted to dress in “modest apparel” and “profess godliness” draw the line between modest and immodest? (I Tim 2:9).

 

   Would you joke about sin and those who commit sin if you limited your conversations to what you know to be godly communication? (Eph 4:29). 

 

   Would you drink alcohol socially or even privately if you wanted to be positive that your actions were pleasing to God? (Prov 20:1). 

 

   What if we all took the stance that we would only do those things which we know to be acceptable in God’s sight?  Would we suffer so greatly from lack of enjoyment that we couldn’t be happy? What is it that would keep us from being this dedicated to God? Is it too big a sacrifice for us to be sure about the propriety of our actions before we do them? The “better safe than sorry” philosophy may sound outdated to many people, but I just can’t imagine God being anything but pleased with a servant who is so careful about obeying His will.

- - - - Darrell Powell