The Third Missionary Journey of Paul Ephesus Acts 19:1-41
Pastor – Mount Moriah
Missionary Baptist Church
Having returned again to Ephesus, Paul encountered some disciples, and “said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” That question may be more accurately translated: “Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed” (vv. 1-2). According to verse 3, these people were baptized, but they had not experienced salvation. Then the Apostle Paul explained to them that they must believe in Christ to be saved (vv. 4-5). The baptism of John was a “baptism of repentance.” John’s baptizing ministry was a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. As a result of Paul laying his hands on these disciples, the Holy Spirit came on these disciples and they spoke in tongues and prophesied, and the number of men was twelve (vv. 6-7).
With Paul having to separate from the synagogue due to the opposition against him, Paul moved his place of ministry to the school of Tyrannus for a period of two years. Paul had made an impact in Asia, for both the Jews and the Greeks heard the word (vv. 8-10). In reference to verses 11-12, God’s hand of blessing and endorsement was on Paul as he healed people with diseases, and even evil spirits departed. The incident in verses 13-17 proved that the miracles of Paul cannot be duplicated; in addition, through the miracles of Paul, the Lord Jesus was magnified. Furthermore, many Christians who had been involved in sorcery and spiritism openly confessed their evil deeds and burned their manuals of sorcery (vv. 18-17).
In verse 20, Dr. Luke gives a beautiful progress report of the word (Acts 6:7, 12:24, 13:49). In verses 21-41, Paul has decided to travel to Jerusalem and then on to Rome. However, before Paul leaves Ephesus, there is a riot, led by Demetrius, a silversmith, whose idol-making business is being ruined by the mass conversion of the population! (vv. 23-28). The magistrates finally quiet the crowds, insisting that if anyone has a grievance, it should be handled through the courts or in a legal assembly (vv. 35-41).
May God Bless!
