A Book Burning And An Uproar
– Acts Nineteen –
Paul went to
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
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
They caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of
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
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
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
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