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!
- Finishing the work…