Acts 19

Acts 19:1-12

55. “COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM” Acts 19:1-12 In this chapter we follow Paul back to Ephesus where he had left Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:19-21). While he was away Apollos had come and spent some time there preaching “the baptism of John” in the synagogue. Aquila and Priscilla befriended him and instructed him more fully in the gospel of the grace of God. Apollos then went to Corinth to preach to the church Paul had established there. When the Apostle Paul came back to Ephesus he found “certain disciples” there who, like Apollos, were disciples of John the Baptist. These disciples of the Baptist had come in among and identified themselves with the brethren who were still worshipping with the Jews in the synagogue. Acts 19 opens with Paul meeting these brethren. A TIME OF - If we are to interpret any portion of the Book of Acts properly, it must be remembered that the history of the church recorded in Acts was a period of transitional development, much like that which we find in the four gospels. During those early years Christianity was still looked upon as a sect of Judaism. Believers continued to worship with the Jews in their synagogues. Those at Jerusalem continued for sometime to worship in the Jewish temple. Many genuine believers remained ignorant of many important gospel truths, some for years, until God sent them a gospel preacher to instruct them in the faith of Christ. We have already seen two examples of this fact. (Acts 10:1-2) was a true believer.

That cannot be disputed. The Word of God describes him as a just and devout man who feared and worshipped God (Acts 10:2; Acts 10:4; Acts 10:22). But he worshipped God only in the light of the Old Testament scriptures until Peter came and told him that the Savior for whom he looked had already come, redeemed his people, and ascended back into heaven. What he believed before was true. He trusted the Son of God as he was revealed in the types, promises, and prophesies of the Old Testament, walking in the light God had given him. APOLLOS had more light than Cornelius (Acts 18:24-28); but he too was greatly lacking.

He was not misinformed, but uninformed. He knew only the teachings of John the Baptist until Aquila and Priscilla explained the doctrine of Christ to him more fully. Neither Cornelius nor Apollos were heretics. They did not embrace a false gospel. They believed the truth as fully as they knew it. They trusted Christ according to the light they had. When God gave them more light they gladly received it, submitted to it, and obeyed it. In the opening verses of Acts 19 Paul met another group of twelve men like Apollos. They were true believers who knew only the baptism of John. “HAVE YE THE HOLY GHOST?” (Acts 19:1-3). These men were disciples of Christ. They followed the teachings of his servant, John the Baptist. They trusted the Lord Jesus, professed faith in his name, and were baptized in his name, either by John or his disciples. After some discussion with them, Paul asked, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost” (our translation reads) “since ye believed?” That is a very poor translation. The question is more accurately translated, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (N.A.S.V, N.I.V., The Amplified Bible).

Their response, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost,” really amounts to, “Do you mean the Holy Spirit has come?” Certainly, being John’s disciples, they knew that the Holy Spirit existed and knew the promise of his descent (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16). John’s disciples were well instructed in the Old Testament prophecies relating to the coming of Christ, the outpouring of and baptism in the Spirit by him, and the extraordinary signs that would accompany it (Ezekiel 36:21-28; Joe 2:28-32; Zechariah 12:10; John 7:39). But these men were totally ignorant of the fact that the Holy Spirit had been given. They knew he had been promised, but did not know that he had come. It is a mistake to make more out of the text than this, a mistake that leads to serious error. “Unto what then were ye baptized?” Paul assumed that since they claimed to be believers they had been baptized (Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-6). His question to these men was, “If you were not baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in what name were you baptized?” They answered, “Unto John’s baptism.” Believing the message of John concerning the coming of Christ, they were baptized. Two things need to be clearly understood. (1). All who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ have received the Holy Spirit. This is the glaring difference between the true believer and the carnal professor (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:9-14; Galatians 5:22-23). (2). It is the responsibility of every believer to follow the command and example of Christ in believer’s baptism (Romans 6:3-6). By baptism, being immersed in the watery grave and rising up out of it, we publicly confess our faith in Christ and identify ourselves with him. JOHN’S BAPTISM (Acts 19:4-5) - Many teach that John’s baptism was not christian baptism. Dividing Acts 19:4-5, they insist that Paul rebaptized these disciples. But the text teaches exactly the opposite. Read the two verses together. Put them in quotation marks. Both verses are to be understood as Paul’s explanation of John’s baptism.

He is stating that John’s baptism is exactly the same as we practice today, the immersion of professed believers in the name of the Lord Jesus. NOTE: In support of this interpretation, it should be observed that there is no indication anywhere in the New Testament that any of John’s disciples were rebaptized by our Lord or his apostles, though the opportunity clearly presented itself (John 3:22-36); and there is no indication that Apollos was rebaptized after being instructed in the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26). Moreover, if Acts 19:5 contained Luke’s words describing what Paul had done, it seems most reasonable that he would have specified that Paul baptized them, as he specified that Paul laid hands upon them in Acts 19:6. In Acts 19:4-5 Luke tells us what Paul said. In Acts 19:6 he tells what Paul did. THE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 19:6-7) - Just as Peter and John laid their hands on the believing Samaritans who had been baptized by Philip (Acts 8:14-17), Paul laid his hands upon these twelve men who had been baptized by John the Baptist and they received the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit. Once more Paul was evidently confirmed as an apostle of Christ (Hebrews 2:3-4). In the apostolic era many received those gifts, but only an apostle could communicate them to others. Remember, Philip who possessed the gifts could not communicate them to the Samaritans, but had to wait for the Apostles to do so. Therefore, these extraordinary, outward signs necessarily ceased when the apostles were gone, not because God has changed, but because they are no longer needed. We now have the perfect, complete Revelation of God in Holy Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:10; 2 Peter 1:16-21). THE OF THE (Acts 19:8-12). As stated before, the saints of God at this time met with the Jews in their synagogues. They earnestly sought the salvation of the Jewish people. But there comes a time when those who follow Christ must separate themselves from those who despise him. Light and darkness cannot abide together. So after three months of faithful instruction, Paul led the saints of God to separate themselves from those who hated the gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 6:14 to 2 Corinthians 7:1; Revelation 18:4).

Paul and his little band were despised by everyone in town. Meeting in a little borrowed room, they were mocked, ridiculed, and scorned by the rich, prosperous, and powerful religionists of Corinth. But God was with them. He confirmed his gospel, his messenger, and his people, clearly demonstrating his pleasure in them. He always does! (See 1 Samuel 2:30).

Acts 19:13-20

56. “SO GREW THE WORD OF GOD AND " Acts 19:13-20 Sometimes it appears that the cause of Christ is failing, that satan and the powers of darkness are triumphant; but that is never the case (Matthew 16:18; Isaiah 55:11; 1 Corinthians 15:58). In the end all things shall show forth the praise of our God and Savior, all of God’s elect will be saved, every purpose of God shall be accomplished, and the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God. Things are not as they seem. Our great Savior is sovereignly ruling this world from his heavenly throne, accomplishing his will everywhere by his omnipotent power and grace. The instrument by which Christ prevails over the hearts of men is the gospel of his free and sovereign grace. The church of God is a conquering army; and the weapon, the only weapon, of her warfare is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, the gospel of Christ. Nowhere is this fact so vividly displayed as in the Book of Acts. In Acts 19, when Paul came to the city of Ephesus he found twelve men who believed God. They began meeting together in a little room in a school house to worship God and preach the gospel. From the beginning they met with opposition. The Jewish zealots, the idolatrous worshippers of Diana, the businessmen, and even the Jewish gypsies who passed through town were all united in their opposition to the band of God’s saints who met at the school of Tyrannus. Satan did everything he could to stop the spread of the gospel in Ephesus.

But Paul and his little band went right on preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified. They had no regard for the religions of the people, the opinions of the people, or the power of the people. Their only concern was for the glory of God and the truth of God. God always honors people like that (1 Samuel 2:30). In less than three years’ time that little band of believers had become a large, influential congregation, well grounded in the doctrine of Christ. By the end of three years of faithful preaching the church at Ephesus was so large that it required several elders to oversee its ministry (Acts 20:17). This phenomenal growth came about without the use of puppet shows, musical recitals, Sunday school contests, ball teams, or the testimonials of famous movie stars, athletes, and politicians. Without gimmickery and without political influence, the naked truth of God, preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the simplicity of everyday language, had done its work. “So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:20). Four things in Acts 19:13-20 are set before us by God the Holy Spirit for our learning and admonition. AN EXAMPLE OF MEN WHO MAKE OF THE GOSPEL (Acts 19:13-16). The sons of Sceva were vagabond Jews, gypsies who travelled from city to city practicing witchcraft in the name of God! They claimed to tell men’s fortunes by astrological signs, cast evil or good spells on people, conjure up the spirits of the dead, and cast out demons. To give some credibility to their work they claimed that their magic was passed on from one generation to another since the days of Solomon. These demonic people were active in our Lord’s day (Matthew 12:27). They were active in Paul’s day. And they are active today. Beware of the occult. Do not toy with witchcraft, astrology, etc. God commands us to have nothing to do with such people (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:10-11). These men did whatever they had to do to make a buck and to gain influence. When they saw the power Paul possessed by the name of Christ (Acts 19:11-12), they decided to imitate his power and tried to cast out demons by the name of “Jesus whom Paul preacheth” (Acts 19:13). They had no regard for the honor of Christ, his Word, or the souls of men. But if it could get them gain, they were willing to prostitute anything, even the things of God. We have many like these sons of Sceva today in pulpits, on radio, and on television throughout this country. Like the willfully ignorant multitudes in Ephesus, multitudes today follow them, send them money, and keep them in business.

Those charlatans are money grubbing, self-serving false prophets who willingly prostitute the gospel of Christ and the glory of God for their own interests (Jeremiah 5:30-31; Jeremiah 6:13-14; Isaiah 56:10-11). Like self-serving politicians, the preachers of this age keep their ears to the ground and say exactly what people want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15). They will do or say whatever they have to to get a name for themselves, a crowd to follow them, and money in their coffers. Have nothing to do with the religious hullabaloo of this age. God is not in it (2 John 1:10-11). As the sons of Sceva were exposed, even by the demons of hell, God will expose the modern sons of Sceva, if not in this world, in the world to come (Matthew 7:21-23). AN EXAMPLE OF GOD’S (Acts 19:17). When these sons of Sceva went running out of the house, beaten and naked, everyone in Ephesus heard about it. The demon in that man, being forced by the Son of God to do so, confessed his subjection to Christ and to his servant Paul by the power of Christ’s name (Acts 19:15). Thus, the evil the sons of Sceva thought to do was overruled by our sovereign Lord for the glory of his own great name. We worship a God who is absolutely sovereign (Psalms 76:10). No creature in heaven, earth, or hell can wiggle a finger without his decree, permission, and direction. “The Most High ruleth!” (Daniel 4:32; Psalms 115:3; Psalms 135:6; Isaiah 46:9-11; Lamentations 3:37). Even the evil that men do, he turns to good! AN EXAMPLE OF TRUE (Acts 19:18-20). As a result of what happened to the sons of Sceva the curiosity of many was aroused, and they came to hear Paul preach the gospel of Christ. When they heard the gospel, God saved many and gave them faith in Christ (Romans 10:17). Here are three marks of true repentance which were displayed in these people.

1. THEY ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (Acts 19:18). They trusted his righteousness, his redemption, and his rule. They trusted Christ alone for all their salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30).
2. THEY THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST (Acts 19:18). This was not a confession of sin in Paul’s ear, as though he were a popish priest, but a public confession of faith in Christ by believer’s baptism (Matthew 3:6; Romans 6:3-6).
3. THEY THEIR FORMER OF WORKS, , AND WILL WORSHIP (Acts 19:19). Being saved by God’s free grace in Christ, they publicly denounced the religion that had held them in bondage for so long. They did so by making a bonfire to burn their books of false religion and witchcraft. Why did they go to such extreme measures? To show their indignation and contempt for their former religion. To show their determination never to return to it. To put as great a distance as they could between themselves and those who continued in the ways of darkness. To prevent others from being led astray. And to show their complete allegiance to Christ and his gospel. AN EXAMPLE OF CHRIST’S BY THE GOSPEL (Acts 19:20). I cannot help thinking that above all else, this incident at Ephesus is recorded here by inspiration to encourage God’s church and his servants to go on preaching the gospel. Luke is saying, “Carry the gospel of Christ into the field of battle and make war against the gates of hell. As you preach the grace of God the Son of God rides forth on his white stallion, conquering and to conquer. Thus, the mighty Word of God shall prevail!”

Acts 19:31-41

57. THE UPROAR AT EPHESUS - A LESSON IN DIVINE Acts 19:31-41 The uproar of the multitudes against the saints of God at Ephesus was no accident. It was not the result of men being beyond God’s control. Rather, it was one event among many by which the Lord our God sovereignly accomplished and is accomplishing his purpose of grace. The uproar came to pass because wicked men, with wicked hearts, for wicked purposes set themselves in opposition to the preaching of the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ. But God overruled their wickedness for the accomplishment of his good designs. Here are four basic, foundation truths of Holy Scripture by which believing hearts are sustained with peace in the midst of earthly troubles.
58. THE LORD OUR GOD IS TOTALLY . He has the right and the power to do what he will with all things; and he always exercises his right of sovereignty (Job 42:2; Isaiah 14:24; Isaiah 14:27; Isaiah 46:9-11; Isaiah 55:11; Psalms 115:3; Psalms 135:6; Jeremiah 32:17; Daniel 4:35-37; Matthew 20:15; Romans 9:11-23; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 1:22). In creation, in providence, and in grace, the Lord our God always has his way.
59. OUR GREAT, GOD HAS A PLAN, A PURPOSE OF GRACE AND , BY WHICH HE RULES ALL THINGS. His plan is eternal (2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Matthew 25:34). It is unalterable (Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). And God’s eternal purpose is all inclusive. Nothing happens in time except that which God purposed in eternity (Genesis 50:20; Isaiah 45:7, Proverbs 16:1-4; Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 16:33; Proverbs 21:1; Amos 3:6).
60. GOD RULES ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN, EARTH, AND HELL TO HIS ETERNAL PLAN AND PURPOSE OF (Romans 8:28-30; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:11). God is not a mere spectator standing on the sidelines, rooting and cheering for the accomplishment of his goals. He is everywhere, sustaining all things, ruling all things, and bringing all things to their predestined end. The tiny sparrow appears to us as an insignificant thing. Its flight looks giddy, and haphazard.

But the sparrow does not light upon any branch or fall to the ground without God’s direction. “God’s all wise providence hath before appointed what bough the sparrow shall perch upon, what grains it shall pick up, where it shall lodge and where it shall build, on what it shall live, and where it shall die” (Augustus Toplady). God’s providence rules everywhere and everything absolutely: the physical world (Isaiah 40:12; Nahum 1:3), the animal world (Daniel 6:22; Matthew 10:29), the nations of the world (Psalms 33:9-11; Isaiah 40:15; Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:17), all the people of the world (Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 21:1; Acts 18:9; Exodus 12:36; 2 Samuel 16:10-11; Psalms 76:10; Exodus 14:17; Acts 4:27-28), and even satan and the demons of hell (Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-6). Everything in the Universe is under the rule of God, ! 4. GOD RULES IN TO THE OF HIS ELECT AND THE GLORY OF HIS OWN GREAT NAME (Romans 8:28; Romans 11:36). Nothing in creation is left to chance, luck, fate, or the will of man. Everything is directed by God so that in the end all his people shall be with Christ and like Christ (Romans 8:29-30), and everything that has been shall praise him (Revelation 5:13). It was no accident that brought Rebecca to the well to meet Abraham’s servant. It was not a streak of luck that brought Joseph to Egypt “to save much people alive.” It was not by chance that Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses in the ark and preserved him alive.

It was not blind fate that directed the millstone which crushed Abimelech’s head. Every event in history is directed by the hand of God. He even gives the lightening charge to strike its mark (Job 28:26; Job 37:3; Job 38:25; Job 38:35). Study the events recorded in Acts 19:21-41 seeking to see how that the hand of God sovereignly ruled, even in the uproar at Ephesus; and understand that the unseen hand of Divine providence rules all things today for the good of God’s elect and the glory of his name. Here God the Holy Spirit teaches us four things. First, ALL WHO ARE BORN OF GOD ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD (Acts 19:21-22). As it was the Spirit of God who led Simeon to the temple to see Christ (Luke 2:27), so it was the Spirit of God who led Paul from place to place preaching the gospel of Christ (Acts 20:22), so it is to this day. The steps of God’s people are ordered by the Holy Spirit (Psalms 37:23; Romans 8:14). NOTE: Timothy and Erastus ministered to Paul and ministered to God’s saints under Paul’s direction (Acts 19:22). They subjected themselves to the Lord’s Apostle, being themselves filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 4:18; Ephesians 4:21; Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17). Those who are led of the Spirit submit themselves to those whom God has placed in authority over them. Second, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST ALWAYS STIRS UP THE WRATH OF MEN (Acts 19:23-28). Men are never indifferent to the message or the messengers of God’s free grace. Anytime the gospel of Christ is preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, those who hear it will either bow to the claims of Christ or rise up in opposition against his ambassador (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 10:34). “There arose no small stir about THAT WAY.” The gospel of Christ is distinct from the religions of men. The way of grace, the way of Christ, is not one way among many, but the way, “that way” that is altogether different from the ways of men. All the religions of men make the way to God and salvation dependent in some way upon man. But the ways of freewill, works religion is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25).

The gospel of Christ makes the way to God and salvation to be Christ alone (John 10:9; John 14:6). Notice two things:

1. The business of religion has always been, as it is today, a popular, profitable business (Acts 19:24-25). These men made and sold religious trinkets, icons, images, etc. just as many today sell crosses, images, religious pictures, etc.
2. The gods which men make and cherish are puny, helpless things, worthy of contempt rather than praise (Acts 19:26-28; Isaiah 46:5-7; 1 Kings 18:27-29). Third, TRIALS AND ARE FOR THE GOOD OF GOD’S PEOPLE (Acts 19:29-34). Yes, even the wrath of wicked men is used by God for the good of his elect (Psalms 76:10). By means of this uproar and persecution, God’s church was refined. The chaff was separated from the wheat. In the midst of the trial, Gaius and Aristarchus stood firm. Alexander the Coppersmith withered before the fire (1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:15-16). Yet, God stopped his mouth (Acts 19:33-34). Fourth, THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR (Acts 19:35-41; Psalms 18:1-7; Psalms 18:43-50). The Lord God used the priests of the temple of Diana (Acts 19:31) and a frightened town clerk to preserve his people from a raging mob. “Thus God, one way or other, sometimes by friends, and sometimes by foes, kept his church and people from being ruined; and his hand is not shortened now” (Matthew Poole). If God will give us grace to understand that all things are under his absolute control and to trust his wisdom, love, and grace toward us in Christ, we will worship and trust him at all times and give thanks to him at all times, in all things, and for all things (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).