Acts 19

Acts 19 (American Standard Version)

Acts 19

BY LANE ROGERS

1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples:

2 and he said unto them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said unto him, No, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given. American Standard Verison__

Now look at the KJV of the same passage____

1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. KJV_

According to the KJV, the reception of the Holy Spirit is sometime after [since] you believe. Once again, the ASV has it correct. Notice, they received the Holy Spirit when they believed and not sometime later.

Now look at Young's literal Translation

1And it came to pass, in Apollos' being in Corinth, Paul having gone through the upper parts, came to Ephesus, and having found certain disciples,

2he said unto them, `The Holy Spirit did y0u receive -- having believed?' and they said unto him, `But we did not even hear whether there is any Holy Spirit;'

Notice that Young's agrees with the ASV. It is only in the KJV that we find such a weird translation.

But we notice that the verbs “did you receive” and “having believed” are both Aorist Tense.

Aorist Tense
The aorist is said to be "simple occurrence" or "summary occurrence", without regard for the amount of time taken to accomplish the action. This tense is also often referred to as the 'punctiliar' tense. 'Punctiliar' in this sense means 'viewed as a single, collective whole,' a "one-point-in-time" action, although it may actually take place over a period of time. In the indicative mood the aorist tense denotes action that occurred in the past time, often translated like the English simple past tense.

For example: "God...made us alive together with Christ." Eph 2:5
"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6

We are speaking of something that should have happened at some point in the past and did not happen.

Paul did come back to Ephesus. It seems as if he was in a hurry since he took “THE UPPER COUNTRY,” instead of coming along the longer highway route.

3 And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism."4 And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus."5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

I think the proof is in the pudding. If one does not “receive the Holy Spirit” at baptism, then why does Luke say we do?Notice that Luke connects receiving the Holy Spirit with Baptism.

John's baptism was a “baptism of testimony” in belief that Jesus was to come. Here is the point that you should take away___in the context the “first purpose of baptism” was to receive the Holy Spirit. In verse 5 we are told that they were taught and baptized into the Lord Jesus. They would have received the indwelling of the Spirit at Baptism. Notice some of the verses that mention the “indwelling” of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38, Romans 8:11, 1^st Cor. 3:16 2^nd Tim. 1:14 Jas. 4:5, Eph. 4:30

It is what we all receive at baptism (Acts 2:38)

⁴Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 2 Tim. 1:14

⁵Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us" James 4:5

¹¹But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7 And they were in all about twelve men.

6-7___After their baptism Paul “laid his hands on them” and they received the Empowering of the Holy Spirit. The Empowering of the Holy Spirit was one means by which God used to establish the infant church.

One only needs to look at 2^nd Cor. 12:12 and see that these people with the empowering of the Spirit went into the congregations and shared the gift. In fact, we are told just that in 1^st Cor. 12:11. The Spirit was in the congregation passing out gifts “at His will.”

Back to the Synagogue_

8 And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
10 And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

The first visit to the Synagogue was welcomed (cf.18:19-20). It is here that he proclaimed the “kingdom of God.” The “church” is the earthly part of the kingdom of God (see Col. 1:13; Rev.1:7). The Kingdom of God

βασιλεία (basileia 932)

kingdom -sβασιλεία (basileia 932)

kingdom -s

the royal dominion, including the power and form of government, with the territory and the kingdom.

[The following important expressions are to be carefully distinguished:

(a) βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ (basileia 932 tou theou) the kingdom of God, the sphere of God's rule, as being then present among the Jews in the person of Christ (Luk 11:20; 17:21, marginal). Then, the sphere of Christ's workings; now the sphere of the Holy Ghost's workings (Rom 14:17. 1Co 4:20).

(b) βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν (basileia 932 tōn ouranōn) the kingdom of the heavens, as being the development of God's purpose. The kingdom to be introduced by the Messiah. The time when God's will shall be "done on earth as it is in heaven". Then, it was at hand.

(c) βασιλεία τοῦ Πατρός (basileia 932 tou Patros) the kingdom of the Father. This seems to be for the heavenly people, while "the kingdom of the Son of Man" is for the earthly (Dan 7:13,14. Mat 25:31-46. Luk 21:36), and the two together form the heavenly and earthly aspect of the "world kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ", Rev 11:15. The one the sphere of the Father's glory, the other of the Son's rule. Will both cease or change when He "delivers up the kingdom to God, even the Father"? (1Co 15:24).

(d) ἥ βασιλεία τοῦ ὑιοῦ τῆς ἀγάπης αὑτοῦ (hē basileia 932 tou huiou tēs agapēs hautou 847) the kingdom of the Son of His love. The region of blessing of which Christ is the centre,

and into which all who are united to Him by faith are now translated. It involves the thought of position, as (e) does of display.

the royal dominion, including the power and form of government, with the territory and the kingdom.

[The following important expressions are to be carefully distinguished:

(b) βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν (basileia 932 tōn ouranōn)the kingdom of the heavens, as being the development of God's purpose. The kingdom to be introduced by the Messiah. The time when God's will shall be "done on earth as it is in heaven". Then, it was at hand; now it is in abeyance (Luk 19:12-15).

To make a long definition short the “kingdom of God” is those under the “realm” and those under the “reign” of God (Christ.)

Paul taught and preached here two years. The seven churches of Asia and probably the church at Colossae (Col.1:2) were planted during this period.

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the evil spirits went out.

Verses 11-12__This was a town of superstition and sin. God granted Paul the empowering of the Holy Spirit to help him bring the pagans along.
Aprons were worn by tent makers to protect their bodies and carry their tools. This apron and his handkerchief were sought by some so that might be carried to the sick and those who had demons.

But also certain Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Verses 13-16___

And now we have a group of “Wandering Jews” who dabble in magic entering the scene. They had obviously heard about the miracles wrought at the hands of Paul by the authority of Jesus. Theses seven sons of Sceva, a Jew and a chief priest thought they would give this name of Jesus thing a try. But it did not work. The evil spirit answered them and said “Paul I know and Jesus I know but who are you?” This the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them. He tore their clothes and left them bloody and then they fled.

Verse 17__

17 And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

We are told why the above event was allowed to happen. It was so that “the name of the Lord” was magnified.

18 Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.19 And not a few of them that practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

We remember that when Ananias and Sapphira were carried out to their graves “great fear came on all the assembly.” Luke tells us that the lesson was learned by the church and they ought not be hypocritical.

13and of the rest no one was daring to join himself to them, but the people were magnifying them,

Acts 5:13

We have something of the same going on here. It was the “deeds” that brought to many and especially those who dabbled in magic. When the man with the evil spirit reacted in the manner he did, it proved that the power of God was stronger than all. The fear of acting as a hypocrite brought these people out of hiding to the point they gave 50,000 pieces of silver.

21 Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
22 And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

It was during this time that Paul was planning on taking up a collection for the poor in Judea. With this end mind he had written the Corinthians instructing them concerning the collection. He mentions in his letter to the Corinthians that the church in Galatia and those in Macedonia were also taking part in the collections. Now, as to Paul's plans, “he purposed in spirit” that he was to pass from Ephesus to Macedonia and Achaia taking up this collection. And finally, “I must go to Rome.”

In writing to the Corinthians Paul stated that a “great door is opened to me and there are many adversaries” (1^st Cor. 16:9). It is here he sends on Timothy and Erastus. Erastus was the treasure for Corinth. His gift to the city can still be seen today.

Paul probably wrote his letter to the Church in Rome from Corinth in 57 AD. In the middle of a list of personal greetings at the end of the letter, he says, 'Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings...' (Romans chapter 16 verse 23).

The Erastus inscription
Image courtesy of www.HolyLandPhotos.org

Archaeologists have discovered in Corinth a block of marble in a paved square near the theater, with the Latin inscription

Erastus, commissioner of public works [aedile], laid this pavement at his own expense.

This is probably the same person Paul mentioned in his letter. (However, Erastus was a fairly common name, so it is possible that it was not the same person. This Erastus in Romans chapter 16 verse 23 is almost certainly not the same as the Erastus mentioned in Acts chapter 19 verse 22). However, once again, archaeology has shown that the Bible is talking about real people in real places.

The Riot of the Silversmiths. 19:23-41

23 And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;
25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth.
26 And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:
27 and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus.
29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel.
30 And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33 And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people.
34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35 And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.
38 If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.
39 But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.
40 For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Verses 23-27____

When Paul said he had “an open door” he may have been referring to the good results harvested from the “Sceva” incident. More can be found out about the many adversaries from 1^st Cor. 4:9-13.

In this section of text, an adversary arises that one might not think of immediately. The business community. The spokes man for these interest was none other than a man by the name of Demetrius. It seems that his business had fallen off sharply. His main work was making little silver idols to which he sold to the devotees of Diana, goddess of Ephesus. Below is the an actual idol to Diana form the 1^st Century (Museum of Efes, Turkey)

Her great temple (the Temple of Artemis) was located in the city. The reason the little idols were not selling as they once were was Paul's preaching. They were to have “faith in God” and not something “made with hands.” So successful was Paul's preaching that “all of Asia” was influenced. This man Demetrius was a very candid speaker. Upon calling all the silversmiths together, (those of like occupation), he made no apology and stated he was interested in their wealth. When you hit a man in his pocket book, that is sometimes worse than hitting him on the face. Here is a summary of his complaint.

We are loosing money.
Paul's preaching is the cause of it.
Therefore, we must stop this preaching.

He lays the trap. We have all heard this at some point. Ten thousand Ephesians can't be wrong!

Verses 28-34__ The gathering called together by Demetrius occurred either in the street or in some place of public meeting. In no time at all a mob gathered. The word was around that Paul and his preaching was the problem. Two of Paul's companions were seized by the mob and the entire mob rushed into the vast amphitheater (which still stands today).

By the time Paul heard of the trouble and ascertained the cause, he was about to enter the crowd and reveal himself but the Christians in Ephesus who were with Paul saw the futility of such efforts and strongly entreated the apostle not to attempt such a speech. Then a rather unusual word is given concerning this decision:

"And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and sought him not to adventure into the theater." Who were these men and what influence did they have over Paul?" We quote:

"The provinces of Asia Minor had officials of high rank named after their province. Bythyniarchs, Galatrarchs, Lyciarchs, or in Asia, Asiarachs. These were presidents of the sacred rites and of the public games and theatrical amusements, exhibited yearly in honor of the gods and of the emperors. So wide had Paul's influence become that some of the digntaries were now his friends. (Cuningham Geikie, Hours with the Bible, Vol.III, pages 98-99).

The theater held about 5000 people and by now it was probably full. The Ephesians were devoted to Diana. Some in the crowd thought a defense needed to made for the Jews, i.e. Paul was a Jew but there was no need to blame "all Jews" for his behavior. The one the Jews selected to make such a defense was "Alexander." Alexander raised his hands to quiet the mob and someone cried out "he is a Jew." Down with him. Great is Diana of Ephesus.

The Apocryphal Book, the Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of "Mary"

It is a matter of Catholic dogma that the supposed "Assumption" (instant resurrection and ascension to Heaven following death) of Mary took place in Ephesus. The story of the "Assumption" alleges that Mary went to Ephesus with John. It must be noted that there is no record of this idea among the Early Church Fathers until the Fourth Century. The earliest known account treats the story with suspicion. Actually, there is good reason, although unfortunately this can't be proven at present, to believe that Mary actually died in Jerusalem before John left. There is, in fact, an ancient structure in Jerusalem known as the "Tomb of Mary", though unfortunately it is by no means certain that Mary's remains are in it. However, its existence does tell us that someone long ago seriously believed that Mary died in Jerusalem - not Ephesus! But the actual "veneration" of Mary definitely began in Ephesus, which had been the center of a very powerful pagan cult. This is not a coincidence.

Note: It is not the intent of this page to present a full, exhaustive examination of the Cult of "Mary". Like the UFO Phenomenon, there is just too much material to cover. An entire web site this size wouldn't completely do the job. It is the purpose of this site to show why the Cult of "Mary" is unscriptural and, like UFOs, is a satanic deception. A big and subtly very dangerous one! The Cult of Mary has grown tremendously in the past two centuries. (This, by the way, is another sign that we are in the age of the Church of Laodicea.) One of the primary reasons for this is that there has been an enormous amount of supernatural manifestations, particularly visions and healing, and other miracles as well, associated with "Mary". More, in fact, than have apparently happened in connection with Protestant Christianity in that time. This has inevitably drawn many people to "Mary". But what we must understand is that the power behind all that has happened is not the true Mary, nor is it of God. Like UFOs, what is happening here is a big time Satanic deception.

There are ancient reports that some years after the 1st century, the statue of the goddess Diana underwent a name change to the goddess Mary.

Verses 35-41____When the mob had about exhausted itself emotionally and physically, "a dignitary who commanded respect appeared on the scene. This man was use to addressing assemblies and had authority. To give this man trouble would have brought in the Imperial Forces. What a cleaver speech this man makes.

1. So the town clerk says, why are you acting as you are. Who is there that does not know of the position of Ephesus and Diana? The fame of Diana is spread around the world. Why, everyone has heard of the image that fell down from Jupiter__"Seeing that these things are true, you should be quiet and do nothing rash.

2. There was a need for many to understand the charges being brought against Gaius and Aristarchus. Where they guilty or not guily.

So the town clerk mentions two things.

1. They did not rob our temples.

2. They did not blaspheme our goddess.

Notice he was careful not to say what they had done.

3. There was a need for a solution to the grievance of Demetrius and the craftsmen.

The town clerk reminded all that the regular courts were open and there were proconsuls to acts a judges in the case. This was a local offense and needed to be handled locally. If this matter needs to go before the Imperial court, they meet three times a month.

4. Above every thing else there was a need that the mob be quieted down and dispersed. They then left and went home.

4. At Troas II Corinthians 2:12,13

This visit is not mentioned in the book of Acts but must have occurred right after Paul left Ephesus. Here are the reasons why. He wrote the first letter to the Corinthians from Ephesus while he was laboring there. He received the sad news in Ephesus of the problems that were in the church at Corinth. To solve this problem he wrote this epistle to the Corinthians. He sent it by the hand of Titus. Paul expected the return of Titus to Ephesus before he left but he did not come. When at last it became imperative that Paul leave Ephesus, he went he went out of the city looking for Titus. Oh, how the apostle longed to meet Titus that he might know how his strong corrective letter was received. With these thoughts in mind we understand clearly the words of 2nd Cor. 2:12, 13.

12When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

But when Paul arrived he did not find Titus. What a disappointment. No relief in the spirit. Although there was an open door in Troas to preach the word of God he did not enter it because the concern for his brother Titus was heavy on his heart. Bidding farewell to brothers at Troas, Paul moved on to Macedonia, still looking for his brother, Titus. Thus chapter 20: Paul in Macedonia.