ACTS 19: 1-20
REVIVAL AMONGST RELIGIOUS PEOPLE
It is not possible to even allude to every revival included in the Bible. But the turning of Paul to evangelize the west instead of the east is so important to us today that it should be mentioned. Paul and his second missionary journey team evangelized through what is now called Turkey until they came to its NW border just south of the Black Sea (16:6-7). As they tried to press on the route that would have taken the gospel into the modern republics of Russia and then into the Far East Scripture records that “the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to go there” (16:7b). They therefore turned west to Troas. While there Paul had a night vision of a man in Greece standing and begging him to “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9).
Had it not been for that vision, history would have been much different today. No doubt, missionaries would have come from the East to evangelize the West, instead of the reverse pattern that has occurred since the days of Paul. The church would have been strongest in the Far East, not the West. The spiritual leadership of the world would have first come from Russia, China, India, Persia, and Japan. Indeed, America might have been discovered from the other side (i.e., the West Coast area of California, Oregon, and Washington), not the East Coast. [Walter Kaiser. Revive Us Again. B & H Publishing. 1999. p 220]
But in the providence of God the gospel moves westward into the center of the morally decaying Roman empire. Paul moves to Philippi, (where there was not even a synagogue which required only ten Jewish men to established) to Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth and then back to Ephesus in Asia Minor before he returns to his home church in Antioch.
On his third missionary journey He preaches through the region of Asia Minor till he reaches Ephesus where he spends nearly three years while the churches in Greece strengthen themselves sufficiently for God to send him back there to reap a great harvest. This time in Ephesus is where we want to look today.
There were three corrections of understanding that brought revival to Ephesus.
I. THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE VERSES THE BAPTISM OF HOLY SPIRIT FIRE, 1-7.
II. ENTERING THE OPEN DOOR NOT THE CLOSED DOOR, 8-10.
III. EXCHANGING THE ARTIFICIAL FOR THE AUTHENTIC, 11-20.
Upon Paul’s arrival in Ephesus he found a group of disciples studying O.T. Scriptures. These followers only know what John had taught about Jesus as the Messiah. Despite their imperfect knowledge, they believe what they knew and had repented of their sins and had been baptized but they did not have the Holy Spirit. John’s baptism was based on “repentance from” evil rather than on faith in the finished work of Christ. These disciples did not know the meaning of the cross and the resurrection nor of the gift of Pentecost. They undoubtably had heard of the cross and the resurrection but mental assent alone does not save. These Ephesians needed not only to turn from sin they need to transfer their trust from anything they could do or have done (to merit salvation) to what Jesus did for them on the cross. When they did this “the Holy Spirit came upon” them (v.6). and there was tangible affirmation of change.
Many people today “believe” also and are attempting to live a good honest life, but their life is not yet empowered by God. They have turned from sin, have heard of Christ, His cross and His resurrection and believe the events occurred, but they have never transferred their faith, their reason for living, from trusting in this life to trusting in what Christ did for them on the cross. Some were not ready, others have never heard a clear explanation of what is necessary for salvation. They too need to transfer their reason for living from themselves to Christ and they also will find the gift of the Holy Spirit coming to indwelling them.
After these placed their faith in Jesus alone and were baptized they became a N.T. Church. The initial church at Ephesus, now totaled twelve Gentile men.
II. ENTERING THE OPEN DOOR, NOT THE CLOSED DOOR, 8-10.
After converting the disciples of John the Baptist, according to Paul’s usual pattern he began preaching boldly in the synagogue, after three months of such preaching they became obstinate so Paul turns to the Gentiles again. He went to the lecture hall where Tyrannus taught philosophy or rhetoric. Such halls were used in the morning for teaching philosophy, but they were empty during the hot part of the day (about 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Because many people did not work during those hours, they would come to hear Paul’s preaching.
For two full years this lecturing/teaching/training work went on. While Paul stayed and discipled in Ephesus a number of his colleagues carried on missionary activities in the surrounding cities as well. It was during these years that churches throughout what is now Turkey were started. Colossae, Hierapolis, and the churches addressed in the Revelation of John - Laodicea, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia - were founded, probably along with other churches in Asia. Thus the Provence become intensely evangelized and became one of the leading centers of Christianity for centuries afterwards.
Notice that while Paul stayed and taught, his disciples fanned out to share the Gospel with others. Such is always the case when revival breaks out. Those that are taught look for opportunities to spread the Gospel to those who cannot readily come and hear. These places where they proclaim the gospel develop into mission points that become churches where other believers fan out and take the Gospel to other areas and establish other mission points which become churches. Such is the method of God given here in Acts and is still occurring in modern missions today. They are called church planting movements.
III. EXCHANGING THE ARTIFICIAL FOR THE AUTHENTIC, 11-20.
There is no limit to what can happen when we base our ministry on the power of the name of Jesus. Paul’s ministry in the name of Jesus was marked by mighty works of divine power, particularly of healing and exorcism. The name carries with it the authority, power, and will of the person. When we minister, preach, pray, heal and confront the forces of evil in the name of Jesus, we are assured that He will be present to release the same wonders we read of in the Gospels. [Lloyd Ogilvie. The Communicator’s Com./ Acts. Word.1983. P 278]
The power at work through the Apostle was so great that healing of the sick occurred by means of cloths and aprons which had been in contact with Paul while he was working (v12). Though the fabrics had no power of their own, because Paul’s ministry was so closely identified with Jesus, God chose to use them as a means to let people know from where the healing came. Where the power of Jesus name is proclaimed, He performs miracles.
So potent did the name of Jesus prove as used by Paul in the casting out of demons from those possessed by them that other exorcists began to use it also. Many of these were magicians traveling from town to town making a living by claiming to heal people and drive out demons. Often they would recite a whole list of names in their incantation to be sure of including the right deity. Here they were trying to use Jesus’ name in an effort to match Paul’s power.
Among these Jewish exorcists were the “sons of Sceva” who is described as a Jewish chief priest (v14). The seven sons of Sceva were impressed by Paul’s work, whose power to drive out demons came from God’s Holy Spirit, not from witchcraft, and was obviously more powerful than theirs. They discovered, however, when a demon refused to acknowledge their spiritual right to use the name of Jesus and overpowered them (v16), that confronting evil without personal knowledge the only name which is greater than evil is dangerous. What happened to the sons of Sceva is evidence of that danger. No one can control or duplicate God’s power. These men were calling on the name of Jesus without knowing the person. The power to change people comes from Christ. It is not to be tapped by reciting His name like a magic charm. God works His power only through those He chooses.
The news of this incident spread quickly and filled those who heard it with awe concerning “the name of Jesus.” The exposure of the difference between magic and miracles had a profound impact on the entire city.
The revival in Ephesus reached such proportions even people who had practice black magic and other occult practices were repenting (v.18) of this evil. Those who had confessed Christ now confessed their former dependence on magic. The realness of their confession of Jesus is seen in their actions of burning all their expensive books on magic in a public bonfire. They brought their books on magic, divination, horoscopes, astrology, cult religions and related literature in display of their total dependence in the name of Jesus.
Ephesus was the center for black magic and other occult practices. The people cooked up magical formulas to give them wealth, happiness, and success in life. Superstition and sorcery were common place. God clearly forbids such practices (Deuteronomy 18:9-13). You cannot be a believer and hold on to the occult, black magic, or sorcery. Once you begin to dabble in these areas, it is extremely easy targets for demonic influence because Satan is very powerful Satan is very powerful and ready to use any opening we give him. But God’s power is even greater (1 John 4:4, Revelation 20:10). If you are mixed up in the occult, learn a lesson from the Ephesians and get rid of anything that could keep you trapped in such practices. [Application Bible. Zondervan. 1988. P 2002]
My wife and I rid ourselves of some things about which we began to have questions. Lori rid herself of an expensive large wooden mask when its evil expression became repulsive. I rid myself of expensive carvings of figures to assure that nothing of evil was in my home. Maybe there are some things that had their origins in pagan cultures which they used as representation for their gods or where dedicated for their honor. If so you too should get rid of them or put them in a yard sale.
CONCLUSION
The message of our Lord is still as powerful as it ever was. The Gospel shared in the name of Jesus can bring life to all who will listen. It is still attended by the mighty ministry of the convicting, comforting, and teaching Holy Spirit. Clear preaching in the Name of Jesus still brings confessions, repentance and a radical change in lifestyle as people transfer their reason for living from themselves to Jesus Christ.
Ministries, teaching, preaching, healing and overcoming the powers of darkness in the power of the name of Christ will produce results. People will be changed, then we can introduce them to the adventure of the Kingdom of God. Allowing Christ to rule in all areas of life will expose attitudes and values that contradict the Gospel and keep them from total dependence on Christ. Then changed people, people who rid their life of worldly control, can come together to claim the power in the name of Jesus to change homes, places of work, worship, and communities.
