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Acts 19 – Day 1: Back to (V1-7)

Make sure that you start your study time today by quieting your heart before the Lord in prayer.

Read Acts 19:1-7

Digging Deeper:

(V1-2) Paul had come back to Ephesus just as he had promised he would in :21. When he arrived, he crossed paths with some disciples of Christ. As he talked to these men, he must have sensed that although they were believers, they were new believers and had yet to learn about who the Holy Spirit was and the part He would play in their lives.

(V3) When Paul asked the men how they had become followers of Jesus, he found out that these men had been saved through the ministry of Jesus’ Cousin . John came preaching that men should repent from their Sin and turn to God, and that they should be baptized, but when Jesus arrived on the scene (See Matthew chapter 3) John told his followers

1 that it was time for them to become followers of Jesus.

(V4-5) So Paul explained to these men that John’s was acknowledging and turning away from their Sin, and that John’s baptism pointed people in the direction of Jesus, but didn’t get them to the point of Salvation in Jesus. To receive Salvation in Jesus, they would need to be baptized in His name. There would be a public confession of the inward transformation that took place when they decided to become followers of Christ. When these men heard this, they wasted no time and were baptized in the name of Jesus.

(V6-7) When they had understanding of what Paul was sharing with them about Jesus, Paul decided to pray for them to receive the baptism “with” the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came upon them and anointed them with gifting’s to glorify God. They spoke in tongues: Meaning that they spoke in A prayer language unknown to others that brought unhindered praise to the Lord and they prophesied: Meaning that they spoke the Word of God with boldness and spoke words that they Holy Spirit gave to them to share aloud with the group.

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Application Questions:

1.) Paul took the time to find out about these new believers, and in the process, he was able to help them to a deeper relationship with God. It’s been said that “ministry flows best through relationships.”

A.) Have you ever been helped in your faith when someone took the time to find out about your relationship with God? What did they speak into your life? Explain. ______

B.) Have you ever helped someone else grow in their relationship with God by pointing out a truth to them that they didn’t know yet? Explain. ______

2.) Paul prayed for the men to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit. When he laid his hands on

3 them, they were anointed by the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues and prophesy.

A.) Have you received the baptism with the Holy Spirit? Why or why not ______

B.) If you did, what spiritual gifts has God given you? If you haven’t, what spiritual gifts do you desire to have? ______

Prayer for the day:

Father, thank you that you have promised us that you would give us A helper, the Holy Spirit, who will lead us into all truth. I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit, and anoint me with the gifts I need to serve you and those around me today. Amen

4 Acts 19 – Day 2: All who dwelt in heard the word (V8-10)

Make sure that you start your study time today with a prayer asking God to speak to your heart today!

Read Acts 19:8-10

Digging Deeper:

We get to see the big picture of how the Lord is working through Paul in Ephesus. Toward the end of his second missionary journey, Paul prepared the soil there in a brief stopover, planted seeds, and left some workers behind to tend the upstart disciples. Now Paul has returned to give these “fields” his full attention.

Paul seems to hit the ground running in (V8) doing just what we have seen time and again, entering the synagogue reasoning and persuading. And as if to give even more emphasis to Paul’s usually fervent approach, we get the added note that he spoke boldly; even more of what Paul is known for.

5 We see in (V9) that Paul was not only bold, but also sensitive to his audience. Things started to get out of hand. Voices rose up to speak evil of the things of God, here referred to for the first time as “the Way.” And when this attitude began to create a resolve in the hearts of some listeners to reject the gospel message, potentially even affecting the disciples with him, Paul knew it was time to back away.

So, at the end of (V9) and through (V10) we see that Paul indeed withdrew, but he did not quit by any means. Quite the opposite, he entered into the facilities of a philosopher named Tyrannus. Here it was not Sabbath day teachings, but daily, and for two solid years. Impactful? Yes. And open to all so that every Jew and every Greek, not only in Ephesus, but throughout the entire region of Asia, that whole southwestern area of what is now modern-day Turkey, heard the word.

Application Questions:

1.) There is a battle raging all around us for spiritual ground. Paul took it to a major city, where victory could potentially impact the whole surrounding region. And he did it in steps,

6 starting with a small group of believers who had heard God’s word but who were not yet empowered by the Holy Spirit.

A.) We have the great blessing of being shoulder to shoulder with a group of men who are seeking the Lord, as we study His word. Do you have a vision for expanding God’s borders? How is this group helping you in that battle? ______

B.) Paul withdrew the disciples from the synagogue. We see that there is a time to speak boldly, and a time to change our approach. Have you experienced this in conversations with others? How do you know when it’s time to take your energy and resources and move on? ______

2.) Paul made a similar move back in (see Acts 18:6-7) when he changed his focus from the Jews to the Gentiles, from the synagogue to the house of a Gentile. In both cases Paul’s focus

7 moved from a resistant Jewish audience to a hungry Gentile audience, and in both places we read that the Jews, in addition to the Gentiles, heard the word of the Lord in great numbers.

A.) Just thinking about where and how you are serving, with the focus that this ministry takes, are you able to see the broader impact of your work? As a member of the body of Christ, how can your active role reach into the community, and beyond? ______

Prayer for the day:

Heavenly Father, may my ministry be completely surrendered to glorifying Your name. As I commit myself to serving You in whatever capacity You have for me may Your name be lifted up in my home, among my neighbors, throughout my community, and beyond. Help me to be an ambassador for change in this world, I pray. In Jesus’ name, amen.

8 Acts 19 – Day 3 : Unusual Miracles(V11-20)

Start your study time today by submitting yourself to God in prayer. “O, let the place of secret prayer become to me the most beloved spot on earth.” - Andrew Murray

Read Acts 19:11-20

Digging Deeper:

(V11-12) Unusual miracles were taking place, and we only see miracles like this in a few places in the . (See Matthew 9:20- 22; :15) People were taking Paul’s sweatbands that he wore when he was building tents, and his leather apron that he wore as a blacksmith, and laying them on the sick, diseased, and demon possessed and they were receiving healing from God. This was not magic, but by faith, these people were being healed by God as they believed in the Power of Jesus Christ and received from his servant Paul.

(V13-14) These Jews were not believers in Jesus Christ, they were only using his name like a

9 formula to try and replicate the unusual miracles that were being done through Paul. There was a Jewish priest named , and his seven sons were some of those trying to use the name of Jesus to exercise demons. In that day, it was popular for some priests to collect a fee when they attempted to deliver someone from an evil spirit, regardless of whether or not the demon left the person. These men may have been motivated by money.

(V15-16) Here is another rare case in the where we see a demon speaking through a possessed person. This evil spirit knew who Jesus was, and knew who Paul was, but didn’t know who the seven sons of Sceva were. We can conclude from this passage that evil spirits know who their enemies are. The demon possessed man attacked the seven sons because they had no relationship with Jesus Christ and were powerless against the attack. The 7 men ran out beat up and naked!

(V17-20) As the people in Ephesus heard the news of the power of Jesus Christ at work in those who believed, and the power of the devil at work against those who didn’t believe in Jesus, the fear of the Lord came upon that city and people began to repent of their Sin and

10 throw away their idols. They threw away their expensive magic books, and began to learn the Word of God! As they gave themselves to the Word, they grew mighty in the Lord and many lives were changed. .

Application Questions:

1.) Unusual miracles took place when great faith was being displayed. Although it was unusual, it wasn’t out of God’s biblical character to pour out His love and grace in the form of healing, upon people who had faith to believe in Jesus. God was glorified in this story as His power healed and saved people.

A.) Have you ever experienced God doing a miracle that was out of the ordinary? If so, how does the miracle you witnessed line up with God’s Heart ______

11 B.) How was God glorified through the miracle that you saw or heard about? ______

C.) Read 1 Corinthians 12:10. What Spiritual gift is mentioned there ______

2.) Lives were changed when the people got rid of their magic books, and began to seek counsel from the Word of God. Instead of seeking instant gratification at the awe of a magic trick, they gave themselves to the consistent lifelong study of God’s Word that produces a steady faith that grows for a lifetime!

A.) Before you read the bible and sought your wisdom from God, who and/or what did you look to for wisdom? Explain ______

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B.) What kinds of attitudes and ways of life did this “wisdom from others” produce in your life? explain ______

C.) Read Hebrews 4:12-13. What does this passage say to you about the power and ability of the Word of God? ______

Prayer for the day:

You are the God of miracles! Thank you for the miracle work that you do in people’s lives, and thank you for all that you’ve done in my life! Thank you for the greatest miracle, for giving us salvation through your Son Jesus Christ. Please help me to abide in your Word today, and lead me to others whom I can help to know you. Amen

13 Acts 19 – Day 4: Against an Enemy who never sleeps or slumbers (V21-30)

Make sure that you start your study time today with a prayer asking God to speak to your heart today!

Read Acts 19:21-30

Digging Deeper:

God is at work in Ephesus. With Paul’s first visit we have witnessed a small number of believers come forward. The work continues there as Paul departs for and back through the churches of . Then we see the harvesting of a small, yet Spirit-filled church. Then we see that the work is intensified as Paul arrives for another two-plus years to solidify the church. The gifts of the Spirit are flowing. The fear of the Lord has fallen upon the body of Christ there. Confessions and are being lifted up, while false teachings and evil practices are being cast out. In exchange, the word of the Lord (V20) “grew mightily and prevailed.” Hallelujah!

14 This appears to be a turning point for the apostle Paul (V21-22), as he witnesses the prevalent power of God working there in Ephesus. His long-term vision has turned toward , and he has “purposed in the Spirit” to get there, after stops in and Achaia (to strengthen the major churches in and Corinth, in particular). With this vision in mind he sends his trusted co-workers Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia, but he stays behind in Ephesus for some undisclosed amount of time.

Right around the time that Timothy and Erastus were sent ahead (V23-26) the opposition gets organized and rises up against the church. Demetrius goes down in Biblical history as the silversmith who organized and incited an uprising to bring down the church. His silver shrines and statuettes of the temple and of the image of the fertility goddess Diana brought him and other such craftsmen great wealth, but the spread of and the victories over false gods and idol worship were cutting painfully into their sales. We see that Paul’s teaching has reached their ears in (V26) as Demetrius repeats Paul’s teaching that “they are not gods which are made with hands.” How true!

15 We see in (V27) how the enemy appeals to the priorities of his audience. First, it’s the reputation of their livelihood that is in danger, which is a reflection on their own character. If the temple of Diana is not the place of divine worship that it was thought to be, then these craftsmen who stake their livelihood on temple images also lose their credibility. Secondly, it is the acceptance of their place and form of worship, with the magnificence of their goddess Diana being tarnished. Of course, this is a direct attack on their wallets if the value of their goods is cut.

Consequently these craftsmen feel the immediate importance (V28-29) of protecting the reputation of the temple and the image of their goddess Diana, so the yelling begins. Emotions run high. Others are drawn into the fray. Mass confusion results, and confusion presents opportunity for these instigators to take down “The Way.” Two of Paul’s travel companions, and Aristarchus, are taken by force and dragged into the 25,000-seat temple of Diana. It was an unsuspecting lynch mob of massive proportions that sent the entire city into a frenzy.

We see in (V30) that Paul is not intimidated by the uproar. He clearly wanted to go to the temple,

16 possibly as much to defend his co-laborers as to use this God-appointed opportunity to speak to this massive gathering of the people of Ephesus. But his disciples would not let him; a powerful contrast of Paul’s heart for mission-over- personal-safety, with the disciples need for safety-over-mission.

Application questions:

1.) The gifts of the Spirit were moving in Ephesus in very clear and powerful ways. Lives were being radically changed.

A.) How are lives being changed in the world around you? Can you see clearly how God is working through the power of the Holy Spirit in your own circumstances and the people around you? ______

B.) We never see Paul sitting comfortably on his stockpile of accomplishments. He is constantly thinking and moving forward. This

17 is a challenge to most of us in our daily lives with our daily routines. What can we do to keep ourselves moving forward spiritually, and how do we know that we are? Are you? ______

2.) The enemy is cunning, crafty, and tireless. He appeals to our natural man and feeds the fire of our sin nature through the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). He got to the craftsmen of Ephesus through the pride of their social standing and through their desire to protect their financial prosperity.

A.) Just being really honest with yourself, are there doors in your life that may be open to these tactics of the enemy? Will you take a moment to ask the Lord to reveal them to you, for repentance, healing, and sealing from the enemy’s hand? ______

18 1.) The enemy created an uprising by starting with a smaller group of men, getting them worked up into an emotional frenzy, and then spilling them out into the streets so that the whole city was infected for hours. This was on a city-wide scale, but with today’s worldwide social access this can happen on a much broader scale in just minutes.

A.) Where are you in the social network? How does this affect you in your attitudes, the things you spend your time meditating upon, in your conversations with others? Do you find yourself getting caught up in the emotionality of it all? How do we avoid getting carried away with the crowd? ______

B.) Paul’s heart for ministry was so in tune with God’s heart that he didn’t look at the risks to himself, but at the opportunity for others to receive Christ. How does his example challenge you as a man and as a Christian? Will you pray about this and dare to have more of Paul’s heart, the heart of Christ? ______

19 ______

Prayer for the day:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing word. Thank you for revealing Your heart, for showing me how You worked in Ephesus through Paul and how You can do a greater work through my life. Father, would you enlarge my heart for the people You love so much, and would You have Your way in me today? In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

20 Acts 19 – Day 5: A riot, but why?!?! (V31-40)

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” John Bunyan Start your study time with a couple of minutes in prayer quieting your heart before the Lord.

Read Acts 19:31-40

Digging Deeper:

(V31-32) Paul had some friends in high places who did not want him to go down to the theater. His team had been taken in there, and if he went down to the theater, there was no telling what would happen. As he made his way towards the theater, there were many people gathered together, and there were many things being said and even some who were shouting. Many people didn’t know why they were even there, so confusion came on that place and we can imagine it became a very tense and dangerous situation.

(V33-34) The Jewish people knew that they would be held responsible for any trouble that took

21 place in the community. In those days, a harsh discipline would be brought upon them if they were found guilty of rioting and causing an uproar. So, they called on their leading spokesperson, to talk to the crowd and let them know that they were not linked to Paul nor did they agree with his claims. Just as alexander was going to share, a chant, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians,” broke out for two hours straight!

(V35-36) Diana was the pagan God of the temple in Ephesus, and it was believed that the image of Diana was a gift to them from the Greek god Zeus. The temple of Diana was the reason that many people visited Ephesus in that day, and People would go there on a pilgrimage to engage in Idol Worship. The city clerk calmed the people down by reminding them that this was common knowledge to everyone who was there, and they didn’t need to be afraid of that changing.

(V37-41) We imagine that it took a little while for things to calm down, but as the people thought about losing their freedom because they were caught up in a riot, they reasoned in their heart to let this dispute go. Paul and his team were out of danger for the moment, free to go wherever the Holy Spirit would lead them to next.

22 Application Questions:

1.) We live in a time in History where social uproar has become common on a daily basis somewhere in our country. Whether it’s a peaceful protest, or a violent riot, the news lines are full of stories of people and groups who are unhappy with their circumstances, and are willing to gather to make their voice heard.

A.) Read Matthew 5:9 and put what Jesus is saying here into your own words. What do you think He’s saying? Explain ______

B.) Why is it a Christian’s role to be a peacemaker? Explain ______

23 C.) How can you practically apply this verse to your life and the situations that God allows you to be in? ______

2.) Once things calmed down, Paul and his team were free to go and continue on their mission to tell the World about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They could have been discouraged and quit, but they learned from the situation, and pressed on!

A.) Have you ever been in a situation where your faith was put on trial and it made you want to shrink back from sharing with people about Jesus? Explain ______

B.) Paul and his team moved forward with strength and determination, and so can we! Look up the following verses, and write down how they influence you to keep moving forward in Christ:

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Philippians 3:14 – ______

2 Corinthians 9:4-11 – ______

Philippians 4:13 – ______

Prayer for the day:

Father, I know that I will find myself in tough situations in life, but I trust you today to be my strength and to lead me to where I need to be. Please impart to me everything I need to be strong in you! Amen

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