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Acts 19:8-20

ActsNew TestamentEnglishHiligaynon Version Available
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
  • Three Baptisms…
    • Finishing the work…
      • Paul departed from Corinth with Pricilla and Aquilla – arriving in Ephesus…
      • He did NOT stay for long because he wanted to attend the FEAST in Jerusalem…
      • But Lord WILLING – he would come back to Ephesus [he left Aquilla and Pricilla]
      • After going UP to Jerusalem – he returned to Antioch [ending second missionary journey]
    • Round Three…
      • After some time Paul went back out to STRENGTHEN the churches in Galatia [third time]
      • A man named Apollos came to Ephesus – he was highly educated and a powerful speaker…
      • But he ONLY knew about the baptism of John [repentance of sins]
      • Pricilla and Aquilla heard him speak – then pulled him aside to give him the whole story…
      • He went on to Corinth and powerfully preached Jesus as the Christ!
    • Back again…
      • Paul came back to Ephesus – and found TWELVE men who were disciples…
      • But they ONLY knew about the baptism of John [taught by Apollos]
      • So they were BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus – and we FILLED with the Holy Spirit!
    • 1st – Preaching Jesus… vs. 8-12
    • 1st – Reasoning… vs. 8-9
      • Kingdom of God… vs. 8
      • [Paul] went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months.
      • Reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God!
      • Paul went back into the Synagogue there in Ephesus…
      • The same place where they had ASKED him to stay on the SECOND mission trip – Acts 18:20
      • And for THREE months he continually [imperfect] SPOKE – holding nothing back…
      • SPOKE – from the root of ALL [πᾶς] and WORDS [ῥέω]
      • REASONING [διαλέγομαι] with them – to PERSUADE them – about [περί] the KINGDOM of God!
      • The Jews were looking for God to come and establish His KINGDOM [on earth]
      • They expected a MESSIAH who would conquer the world – Psalms 2:6
      • Which is why the idea that Jesus would come to DIE – stumbled them – I Corinthians 1:23
      • They did NOT understand that that KINGDOM of God is inside of us – Luke 17:21
      • Because Jesus did NOT come to conquer the world [first time] – He came to conquer sin!
      • Hardened… vs. 9
      • When some were hardened and did not believe but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude!
      • Some of the people were [imperfect] HARDENED [passive]
      • And as a RESULT – they were [imperfect] NOT [active] to persuaded [ἀπειθέω]
      • Instead speaking [present] EVIL [κακολογέω] of the [only] WAY…
      • But what caused [passive] their hearts to be HARD…
      • HARDENED [σκληρύνω] – only 6x in NT – FOUR of them in Hebrews!
      • Hebrews 3:13 – “Exhort one another daily while it is called today – lest any of you be hardened [σκληρύνω] through the deceitfulness of sin.”
      • Sin is DECEITFUL – it lies and tells us there is another answer to life [money – relationships]
      • And if we refuse to repent of our sin – it will HARDEN our hearts…
      • That does NOT mean God gives up on us – but it is DANGEROUS…
      • Because if we continually CHOOSE to sin – if we continue REJECT the WAY…
      • Our ears will close up and we will NO longer hear the Gospel of the Kingdom of God!
      • Tyrannus… vs. 9
      • He departed from them and withdrew the disciples reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus!
      • As always seemed to be the case – Paul ended up leaving the Synagogue…
      • He took with him the DISCIPLES [μαθητής] – keeping them from a bad influence [ἀφορίζω]
      • And continued REASONING [διαλέγομαι] daily in the School of TYRANNUS!
      • SCHOOL [σχολή] – this is the ONLY mention of a school in the whole Bible…
      • It was a place dedicated to teaching the ABSOLUTE [tyrannical] authority of men…
      • But Paul went in to REASON there was a better WAY with God!
      • SCHOOLS have not changed much of the past TWO thousand years…
      • They are still TYRANNICAL – indoctrinating students in the way of MEN…
      • Which is why we should NOT be sending our kids to be taught by the school…
      • We should be training them at home – so they can go and REASON in the schools…
      • Showing other students [and teachers] that there is a better WAY!
    • 2nd – Waiting… vs. 10
      • Two years…
      • And this continued for two years!
      • Paul spent TWO years REASONING in the SCHOOL…
      • This is the longest Paul spent in any city [three years total] – Acts 20:31
      • Meaning the work in Ephesus did NOT happen quickly…
      • It took TIME to ground the believers in their faith – and spread the message!
      • All of Asia…
      • So that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus – both Jews and Greeks!
      • The RESULT though was that ALL [πᾶς] of ASIA [province]
      • HEARD [ἀκούω] the WORD [λόγος] of the Lord Jesus [τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ]
      • Both those who were JEWS and those who were GREEKS!
      • A tree does not bear fruit the day after we plant it – it takes time…
      • And a tree cannot make itself grow any faster – no matter how hard it tries!
      • If we are honest we are NOT very patient people – we want QUICK results…
      • But following Jesus is NOT a sprint – it is more like a marathon…
      • We are not made perfect in a day – growing in Him is takes TIME…
      • And there is nothing we can do to speed things up – we must learn to WAIT on Him!
      • Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
    • 3rd – Working… vs. 11-12
      • Miracles… vs. 11
      • Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul!
      • Paul did NOT just REASON in the SCHOOL for TWO years…
      • God did some UNCOMMON miracles thorough his hands…
      • Literally – POWER [δύναμις] that was NOT [οὐ] common [τυγχάνω]
      • Because the MESSAGE of the GOSPEL – should be followed by the POWER of God!
      • Since we preach a God who is the great PROVIDER [יִרְאֶה] – Genesis 22:14
      • A God who is the great PHYSICIAN [רֹפְאֶךָ] – Exodus 15:26
      • A God who can RESTORE broken relationships – II Corinthians 5:18
      • We should see God do in our lives things that are UNCOMMON in the world…
      • We should see Him PROVIDE – HEAL – and RESTORE!
      • Handkerchief… vs. 12
      • So that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick.
      • And the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them!
      • Paul worked in Ephesus to provide for his daily needs – Acts 20:34
      • As he worked he wore an APRON and would use a HANDKERCHIEF to wipe his sweat…
      • People would take his HANDKERCHIEF [or apron] – and they would HEAL the SICK…
      • Even EVIL spirits would come out of people at the sight of the HANDKERCHIEF…
      • Not that there was POWER in the HANDKERCHIEF [or apron]
      • The point is Paul had to do NOTHING to bring about these unusual miracles…
      • He was simply going about his daily routine – God was the one doing the work!
      • I enjoy working at the church – and when I work I sweat – a LOT…
      • But I am sure NO one [no matter how sick] would want to touch them…
      • And stinky sweat rags might be able to scare people away – but NOT demons!
      • Serving the Lord – should NOT be a burden – it should be NO sweat – Ezekiel 44:18
      • We might get tired while serving Jesus – just NOT tired of serving the Lord…
      • If we are BURNT out – we are probably doing something God did NOT call us to do…
      • Because when we put our eyes on Jesus – we will find serving is a JOY!
      • Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest… For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
    • 2nd – Knowing Jesus… vs. 13-20
    • 1st – Exorcists … vs. 13-14
      • Jewish… vs. 13
      • Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves.
      • To call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits saying:
      • I [NU] exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches!
      • There were certain wandering [περιέρχομαι] JEWS…
      • Who took into their hands – to be called EXORCISTS…
      • EXORCISTS [ἐξορκιστής] – only here NT – to force [ἐκ] an oath [ὁρκίζω]
      • They would call on the NAME [ὀνομάζω] of the Lord Jesus over the evil spirits…
      • Saying: I CHARGE you [to leave] in the name of Jesus whom PAUL preaches!
      • Sons of Sceva… vs. 14
      • Also there were seven sons of Sceva – a Jewish chief priest – who did so!
      • SCEVA was a chief priest [not necessarily the HIGH priest]
      • His SEVEN sons would go around acting as these EXORCISTS…
      • They heard about the POWER of God in Paul – and thought they could DUPLICATE it…
      • But do NOT miss the contrast – they did not have the POWER [δύναμις] that Paul did!
      • There are those today who still give themselves the title EXORCISTS…
      • And they follow a similar pattern to what is given here [command demons come out]
      • But Paul did NOT have to command – his SWEATY rags were enough…
      • Meaning we do NOT need exorcists – we need people full of Jesus!
      • I John 4:4 – “Because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
    • 2nd – Who are you… vs. 15-16
      • Evil spirit… vs. 15
      • The evil spirit answered and said: Jesus I know – and Paul I know – but who are you?
      • But [δέ] the EVIL [πονηρός] spirit answered the SEVEN sons of SCEVA…
      • He KNEW [γινώσκω] Jesus – and was ACQUAINTED [ἐπίσταμαι] with Paul…
      • But who are YOU – he did NOT know these SEVEN men…
      • The PROBLEM with the strategy of these sons of Sceva…
      • Power is NOT in the knowing Paul – or the NAME of Jesus – it is in knowing Jesus!
      • People would NOT be impressed if we said we know the name of the PRESIDENT…
      • But if we pull out our cell phone and have his number [recent calls]
      • If we KNOW the PRESIDENT – that would get their attention!
      • A lot of people today know the NAME of Jesus – but that cannot help them…
      • It is also NOT enough to know someone who KNOWS Jesus…
      • The power ONLY comes when we personally have a relationship with Jesus!
      • Wounded… vs. 16
      • Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them – overpowered them.
      • And prevailed against them – so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded!
      • Rather than the SEVEN sons having AUTHORITY over the Spirit…
      • The man who had the EVIL spirit in him – LEAPT on them [one verses seven]
      • And he OVERPOWERED them – to bring them under [κατά] his authority [κυριεύω]
      • So that they FLED out of the house – NAKED and TRAUMATIZED [τραυματίζω]
      • Because our enemy is NOT weak – and should NOT be taken lightly!
      • Jude 1:9 – “Michael the archangel in contending with the devil… dared not bring against him a reviling accusation but said: The Lord rebuke you!”
      • I knew a young man who was walking home one night in the campo…
      • He had just bought some bread to give to his family…
      • But as he walked through dark the sugar cane – he started to get frightened…
      • He began walking faster and faster – till at the end he was running…
      • When he arrived he was glad to be safe – but sad because all his bread had fallen out!
      • Taking on the enemy in our own power is FOOLISHNESS…
      • We will only end up getting wounded – and traumatized…
      • Instead we recognize that we fight the battle with the power of the Lord!
      • II Corinthians 10:4 – “For the weapons of our warfare are not [physical] but mighty [δύναμις] in God for pulling down strongholds.”
    • 3rd – Magnified… vs. 17
      • Fearful… vs. 17
      • This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus – and fear fell on them all!
      • What happened to the sons of SCEVA was KNOWN [γνωστός] to everyone [πᾶς]
      • All of the Jews and Greeks who were living in Ephesus…
      • And as a result – FEAR [φόβος] came upon them ALL [πᾶς]
      • God used this to prove Jesus had the real POWER and AUTHORITY…
      • After all – the demon KNEW exactly who Paul and Jesus were…
      • And what SEVEN sons of a high priest could NOT do – a sweaty rag from Paul could!
      • Name of Jesus…
      • The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
      • Therefore the NAME of the Lord Jesus was [imperfect] MAGNIFIED [μεγαλύνω]
      • The NAME of Jesus had become FAMOUS throughout Ephesus!
      • Our sun is so BIG – if can hold over ONE million earths…
      • Yet our sun is SMALL compared to the star ANTARES – which is 850x the size of the sun…
      • VY Canis Majoris is so large it could hold over ONE billion of our suns…
      • Yet they only look like a small spec of light – because they are so very far away!
      • God is HUGE – but lost sinners are very FAR from Jesus…
      • It is though our lives that we MAGNIFY Christ so that they can His love…
      • As we show them the POWER of God [unusual miracles] in our lives!
    • 4th – Confessing… vs. 18-20
      • Believed… vs. 18
      • And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds!
      • MANY who believed [perfect] – came CONFESSING [ἐξομολογούμενοι] their sins to God…
      • As well as publicly DISCLOSING [ἀναγγέλλοντες] the things they had done WRONG…
      • They were NOT joining a CHURCH – or becoming part of a RELIGION…
      • There was genuine CONVICTION – and true REPENTANCE…
      • Seen through PUBLIC confession of their sins!
      • Churches are NOT supposed to be SOCIAL gathering places…
      • They are meant to be a place where the POWER of God is displayed…
      • Where the name of Jesus is MAGNIFIED – so they can see how God really is…
      • The church should be where people learn to FEAR the JUDGE of all men…
      • And where they are free to CONFESS their sins – and come to know their SAVIOR!
      • I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
      • Magic books… vs. 19
      • Also many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together.
      • And burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them.
      • And it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver!
      • As part of their PUBLIC disclosure – people brought their BOOKS [βίβλος]
      • MAGIC [περίεργος] – 2x in NT – also translated a BUSYBODY – I Timothy 5:13
      • It could mean MAGIC books [neuter] – common in a pagan city like Ephesus [Dianna]
      • But it could also mean SELF help books – or even RELIGIOUS books…
      • Anything that would try to keep someone BUSY – without pointing them to Jesus…
      • They took them and [imperfect] BURNED them ALL [πᾶς]
      • They burnt their BOOKS because a greater power had been shown to them…
      • In the light of the POWER of Jesus they NO longer needed them…
      • When they counted the VALUE – it was worth 50 THOUSAND silver [millions of pesos]!
      • We live in a world that is full of BOOKS [and podcasts]
      • Full of countless pages dedicated to giving us a BETTER life…
      • And they are all WORTHLESS – they just make us BUSY – but have no POWER…
      • NOT that we recommend going out and starting a BONFIRE…
      • But that is about all they are GOOD for – because they do NOT point to Jesus!
      • The Word… vs. 20
      • So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed!
      • The end results was people stopped looking to BOOKS…
      • And instead WORD of the Lord GREW [imperfect] – and became STRONGER [imperfect]
      • Because the ONLY thing that points us to the ANSWER – is the BIBLE!