At this time, Paul was in Ephesus conversing with some who were followers of John the Baptist and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The people responded to Paul’s question saying, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit” (19:2). When he heard their answer Paul said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They immediately responded saying, “into John’s baptism” (19:3). Since true believers receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of their faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13), Paul could safely surmise that these people were not genuine believers. Although they had repented through the act of being baptized, they did not understand John’s full message. Paul said to them, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (19:4). These disciples of John the Baptist had not yet recognized Jesus Christ as the One for whom John was preparing the way. When the people heard and believed the words of Paul, “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (19:5) and received the Holy Spirit (19:6-7).
Paul spent the next three months “reasoning and persuading concerning the kingdom of God” in the synagogue, but many rose up against him forcing him to depart (19:8-9a). After not being received in the synagogue, Paul spent the next two years preaching and teaching inside the school of Tyrannus (a lecture hall) “so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (19:9b-10).
God began working great miracles through Paul (19:11-12) and even the Jewish exorcists noticed the power which he possessed in casting out evil spirits (19:13). In their process of casting out demons, they started saying “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches” (19:13b). In their minds they were calling on the Lord Jesus, a more powerful spirit being, to cast out demons. They did not believe in Jesus Christ as Savior. Luke specifically mentions the seven sons of Jewish priest named Sceva who attempted to cast out an evil spirit, but the spirit responds saying “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (19:14-15) The authority to cast out demons was given only to Jesus and the apostles and the evil spirit realized this. Without warning, the evil spirit attacks the seven sons causing them to flee (19:16). When this became known to Jews and Greeks in Ephesus, “fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds” (19:17-18). Not only did the authority of Jesus and the apostles have an impact on the people of Ephesus, but also on those who practiced magic. Luke writes that the magicians “brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all” (19:19). When they totaled up the value of these evil books of spells, it totaled 50,000 pieces of silver (19:19b). This is an amazing response to the truth!
Many saw the power of God evidenced through the apostle Paul and believed his message of salvation through Jesus Christ (19:20). At every turn, Paul faced false doctrine and evil people who were consumed with sin; however, Paul stood firm on the message of Jesus Christ and did not compromise it. He was faithful to preach and teach Christ with boldness whether he was in the synagogue or surrounded by workers of evil. We must also be faithful in proclaiming Christ no matter who is listening!
Dear God, make me a faithful servant.
