Lesson 4684

 (Lesson 4684)(11-30-24) Acts 19:21-41 

   “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. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover 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 be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.” 

 

  In today’s quote, Paul, planning to go to Jerusalem and then to Rome, sent his two companions, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia. During that time, a riot broke out in Ephesus, stirred up by a silversmith named Demetrius. He was upset because Paul’s teachings about idols were causing a decline in the sale of silver shrines of the goddess Diana, which affected his business. Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen incited a large crowd, and they drug two of Paul’s companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, into the theater. Paul wanted to address the crowd but he was prevented by fellow believers and some officials who warned him not to go. The crowd grew chaotic, but eventually, a city clerk calmed them, explaining that the issue was a matter for the courts, not a public riot. He dismissed the crowd, and the situation ended without further violence. ~ 

Lesson 4683

 (Lesson 4683)(11-29-24) Acts 19:13-20 

   Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” 

 

   In today’s quote, some Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of Jesus, whom Paul preached, to cast out evil spirits. They attempted this on a man possessed by an evil spirit, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." However, the evil spirit responded, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" The man with the evil spirit overpowered them, and they fled from the house, wounded and naked. That event became widely known in Ephesus, causing fear among those who had practiced magic to confess their deeds and publicly burn their occult books, which were worth a large sum. As a result, the word of the Lord grew greatly throughout the region. ~ 

Lesson 4682

 (Lesson 4682)(11-28-24) Acts 19:8-12 

   “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” 

 

       In today’s quote, Paul continued his ministry in Ephesus, preaching in the synagogue for three months, boldly proclaiming the kingdom of God. When some Jews became hardened and resisted his message, Paul withdrew from them and began teaching in the school of Tyrannus, where he preached for two years. As a result, all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord. God worked unusual miracles through Paul, including healing the sick and casting out evil spirits. Even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul were used to heal the sick and drive out demons, demonstrating the power of God at work through him. ~ 

Lesson 4680

(Lesson 4680)(11-26-24) Acts 18:24-28 

   “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” 

 

  In today’s quote , a man named Apollos, an eloquent and knowledgeable Jew from Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus. He is well-versed in the Scriptures and spoke boldly in the synagogue, but he only knew the baptism (teachings) of John the Baptist, which was a mandatory preparation toward repentance. Apollos was not aware of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak and recognizing the gap in his understanding, took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. Apollos then went to Achaia, where he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. The distinction here is that John’s baptism was preparatory, focusing on repentance, while the baptism of the Holy Spirit, experienced through belief in Jesus, brings salvation and new life in Christ. ~