Acts 19 - Is Just Being Sorry Enough?

Acts 19 - NIV

19 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Paul asks an important question of the new believers in Ephesus. He asked if they had received the Holy Spirit when they came to faith. Apparently not, because they had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. They also not been baptized in the name of Jesus, but only received the baptism of repentance from John the Baptist. Though they were believers, they hadn't been baptized in Jesus' name, so Paul baptized them. And he also laid hands on them at which the Holy Spirit "came on them". 

What was the evidence of the Holy Spirit? They spoke in unknown languages "tongues" and prophesied. 

Paul's teaching here has caused some confusion in the church regarding baptism, how the Holy Spirit is received, and especially speaking in tongues. I.e. Does everyone receive the gift of tongues as a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence in their lives? Paul clarifies this in 1 Corinthians 12-14, when he states that not everyone has the gift of speaking tongues. 

For me there are three important things happening. Believing in the name of Jesus. Being baptized in the name of Jesus with water. Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. These three things happen in different ways. The problem in the church is when we try to say this is the only way these three things can happen. We try to control how these three are experienced but only God can bring a person to faith.  Misunderstanding in this area can lead to confusion and division in the church. Also, this is only one passage so it needs to be interpreted in the light of the whole teaching in the bible.  

8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Once again as Paul shared the message of Jesus boldly and persuasively, but some were stubborn and outright refused to believe. So Paul went to the Hall of Tyrannus with his disciples and had daily discussions with all with all who would listen. 

He then resumed his teaching in the hall of a Gentile teacher named Tyrannus (reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus). One ancient, though not inspired, writing says that Paul held his meetings at the school of Tyrannus from eleven in the morning to four in the afternoon. This was the time most people rested from work, including Paul, who worked to support himself while in Ephesus (Acts 20:34-35). These also may have been the “off hours” for the school of Tyrannus. - Guzik

Paul was there two full years, the longest period of time he spent anywhere during his missionary travels. Paul knew this was a major outpost for the Christian movement, and he wanted to make sure they were grounded in the Word of God. One the great needs in the Church today is for believers to understand and be able to interpret God's Word, the bible. Not only to understand what it says, but to do it. As James said, "Don't just listen to the Word, but do what it says!" I.e. Be doers of the Word!

The power of the Holy Spirit was so palpable in and through Paul, that even the handkerchiefs and aprons he touched were used for healing others. This is unusual. God did amazing and supernatural miracles through the apostles, but this doesn't mean he doesn't do them in and through us today! I have seen it happen!

13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Some of the Jews thought they could bottle what Paul was doing, so they tried to use the same words he did. Unfortunately since they didn't have the power of the Holy Spirit, they fell flat on their faces. Seven sons of the local priest thought they could do these powerful acts by merely saying the words, but they didn't realize they were messing around with power. When they tried to cast out a demon, the demon quickly realized they weren't acting in the true authority and power of Jesus. Instead the demon showed his power by beating up all seven guys. It was so bad they guys ran out naked and bleeding. 

This is why one should not mess around with the spiritual powers and authorities of this present darkness. Though the power of Jesus and His Holy Spirit within us is not match for the evil one or his demons, we mustn't be careless about dealing in spiritual warfare. We should go in with lots of prayer backup and full of the Holy Spirit. 

When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[c] 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Those who were dabbling in sorcery and witchcraft realized they were engaging with dark, spiritual forces of the enemy. They were so convicted by the Holy Spirit they confessed their practice of sorcery and using secret scrolls. In an act of repentance, they burned the scrolls, which was no small amount of money. The burning of the scrolls showed they were truly repentant and had turned from their wickedness. 

Sometimes people are sorry for their sin but don't repent from it. They ask God for forgiveness without really intending to change their behavior. Godly sorrow over sin always leads to repentance. When we realize how our sin affects God, who sent His Son to die for it, it should make us sad. It is this sadness that helps us to turn from what we know is wrong!

Notice through these acts of repentance and turning from this secret, sinful behavior, the Word of God spread and grew in power! When we truly repent in the power of the Spirit, God's Word is released in power to set others free too!

21 After all this had happened, Paul decided[d] to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. 

Paul retraced his step back through Corinth and Philippi, as he made his way back to Jerusalem. We see Paul's missionary zeal as his ultimate goal is to reach Rome with the gospel. 

The Riot in Ephesus

23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

In the first century Christianity was also known as "the Way". I like that name because as Christians we are following the way of Jesus, who was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Paul had upset the local businessmen by exposing idol worship, which came in the form of silver shrines dedicated to the worship of Artemis. 

This tremendous temple to Diana (also known as Artemis) in Ephesus was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was supported by 127 pillars, each 60 feet high, and was decorated with great sculptures. It was lost to history until it was discovered in 1869, and its main altar was unearthed in 1965.

The opposition of Demetrius and the other idol makers was a great compliment to the effectiveness of Paul’s work in the region. Paul was not on a campaign to close down the temple of Diana; he just did the Lord’s work. As people came to Jesus, they naturally stopped worshipping Diana and buying shrines associated with the temple.

English preacher and theologian Charles Spurgeon said this about the affect Christianity and Christians should have on the culture around it. 

This is how we should endeavor to change society. “I wish the gospel would affect the trade of London; I wish it might. There are some trades that need affecting, need to be cut a little shorter…Not by an Act of Parliament! Let Acts of Parliament leave us alone. We can fight that battle alone. But may it come to an end by the spread of the gospel…I have no faith in any reformation that does not come through men’s hearts being changed.” (Spurgeon)

28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

The anger gave way to a mob as they grabbed two of Paul's traveling companions and roughed them up a bit. I am sure they wanted to get to the ringleader, Paul, but the disciples kept him out of the theater.

32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Like a lot of people who come to a riot, they don't really know why they are there. No one really knew why they were there, but a guy named Alexander got pushed to the front. I guess they thought he was a Christian but he was a Jew. So instead they just chanted for the greatness of Artemis. When people reject Jesus in some ways it doesn't matter who they worship. The mob mentality had taken over. The devil was thrilled. 

35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

The only reasonable one if the crowd was the city clerk. He restored order by restating the power of Artemis, which meant they didn't need to do anything rash. If there were any valid accusation against these men they should take it up in court. When he stated the fact they could be cited for rioting for no real cause he dismissed them all.