Acts 19

Introduction

 Acts 2  The coming of the Spirit  Acts 19  The continuing work of the Spirit  The last recorded incident of people speaking in tongues  God establishes his Church in Ephesus

Shrine to Artemis – (Diana) Goddess of the hunt

 "I have seen the walls and Hanging Gardens of ancient Babylon, the statue of Olympian Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the mighty work of the high Pyramids and the tomb of Mausolus. But when I saw the temple at Ephesus rising to the clouds, all these other wonders were put in the shade." - Philon of Byzantium

The Great Temple of Artemis

 35 columns had lower portions carved with figures in high relief

Ephesus (Cont.)

 The capital of proconsular Asia, 27 BC  Ephesus entered an era of prosperity.  It became the seat of the governor,  a metropolis and a major centre of commerce.  Second in importance and size only to Rome.

Façade of Library of Celsus

Theatre at Ephesus – holds 25,000

Ephesus (Cont.)

 One of the most advanced aqueduct systems in the ancient world,  Jonah 4:11 “But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

The Journey

 Acts 18:18-19:1a  Paul has establish the church at Corinth    Makes an initial visit to Ephesus promises to come back if he can Leaves behind Priscilla and Aquila  Apollos    Jew raised in Alexandria Apollos was well educated and erudite Maybe author of Hebrews?

The Journey (Cont.)

 Apollos has been preaching about the Messiah, repentance and the baptism of John at Ephesus   Then goes on to Corinth and continues the work Paul started  Paul returns as promised to Ephesus  He and Apollos swapped places  18:24-19:1  Later Apollos joined him in Ephesus

12 disciples

 V1-7 - Encountered some disciples  The last of the old testament saints?

 Did not know the Holy Spirit had been given  Paul baptises them and then lays hands on them  Holy Spirit fills them and they begin to speak in other languages

12 disciples (Cont.)

 Compare with normal course today  Hear the word  Believe and accept Jesus as Saviour & Lord  Holy Spirit is given as a seal - Eph 1:13  Then baptised as outward sign of inward change

Speaking in Tongues in Acts

A strategic city

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Confirmation of Paul's message Paul's apostleship is confirmed The work in Ephesus needs a special start

Proclamation – V8-11

 Paul went first to the Jews  He spent 3 months reasoning with them in the synagogue  Spoke boldly and persuasively about the Kingdom of God  An unusually long time  suggesting that at least some were receptive to the good news  But again the standard pattern - opposition  Moved next door to the hall of Tyrannus

Proclamation (Cont.)

 Paul maintained his schedule for 2 years  result was "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord"  Are we prepared to find out if others are interested in learning about Christ and then sharing what we know with them?

Confirmation – V11-12

 God confirms Paul's ministry  At this time in the development of the Church  No New Testament  Answer - God himself authenticated Paul’s words

Confirmation (Cont.)

 Standard feature of early Apostolic teaching  2 Cor 12:12-13 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.  Heb 2:3-4 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Confirmation (Cont.)

 Matt 9:20-21 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."  Acts 5:15-16 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

Confirmation (Cont.)

 Phil 2:25-27 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

Competition – V13-16

 7 sons of Sceva  No real power  Try to do it like Paul does  Realise just how much power they really have!

Competition (Cont.)

 Magic spells  just get the right form of words  or the correct incantation of power  Not real!

 God is sovereign

Competition (Cont.)

 Deuteronomy 6:5-6 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

The church is built – V17-19

 The world had changed  the practices of the past had no place in God's new order  50,000 drachmas (pieces of silver)  1 piece = 1 days wage for an average labourer  Assuming £15k pa = £3.125m

 Assuming £30k pa = £6.25m

The church is built (Cont.)

 1 Cor 16:8-9 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Opposition – V23-41

 Demetrius  Motivation was financial more than religious  Stirs up a riot  Why?

 Maybe to create fear and ill will for the preachers of Jesus

Opposition (Cont.)

 Paul wanted to go and speak  It's not always the right time to speak  City clerk diffused riot  no crime had been committed  and that they were in danger of being reported to Rome for rioting

Endings

 Great Temple of Artemis was destroyed during a raid by the Goths in 268 A.D.

 The temple was rebuilt again, but in 391 it was closed by the Emperor Theodosius the Great after he made Christianity the state religion.  The final temple was destroyed by a Christian mob in 401 A.D. and the stones were recycled into other buildings.

Site of the temple today

St John in Ephesus

 By 67AD John was based in Ephesus  led the churches in Asia Minor  Gospel of John may have been written here  Exiled to Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation  Returned after the death of Emperor Domitian

The tomb of St John

Bringing the Gospel

 When Paul brought the Gospel to Ephesus he did not attack Artemis directly.  Confronted the assumptions that lay at the root of idolatry.  The message and the power of the living Saviour revealed the emptiness of idolatry.  We too should bring clear presentation of the gospel  God's love for a fallen world