Study of Acts – Discussion Notes Chapter 19

Introduction Without question, chapter 19 of Acts has been the most difficult lesson to prepare for our discussion. It has taken the reading of multiple commentaries and prayerful consideration to lead a discussion on the subject matter. With that said, I remain substantially inadequate to fully expound on it. We will begin with the latter part of Acts chapter 18 and continue into chapter 19 as they go together in terms of concept and teaching. I hope you are prepared to be challenged in your thinking and willing to grow in your understanding. Content 1. Religion in itself is counterproductive to man’s relationship with God (:24‐28). How would you describe this man ? Apollos was obviously well educated, eloquent in speech, versed in the scripture, accomplished in religion, bold and enthusiastic. He was versed in the teaching of and a follower of his teachings. Why do you think took Apollos home to discuss things? What do you thing they explained to him? They likely explained full story of Christ, the crucifixion, resurrection and what took place at . Most scholars believe Apollos was a believer but was not fully versed in the complete work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It appears Apollos was working from human energy and enthusiasm and not from the leadership of the Holy Spirit. He was most likely missing the concept of self being buried with Christ and being born of the Spirit to live by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Religion alone is a person’s effort to be righteous and adequate by self‐effort. When someone tries to live for the Lord rather than by the power of the Lord, the results are disastrous. Apollos was trying to preach from head knowledge and shear commitment rather than under the power of the Holy Spirit. Most likely Priscilla and Aquila respected his talent and enthusiasm but recognized something critical was missing. Actually not something but someone was missing; the Holy Spirit. Imagine trying to be a Christian leader without the knowledge of Calvary, Easter and Pentecost. The pressures and failures would soon destroy you. This seems to describe Apollos. He had religion but was missing the relationship with Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. This is the same result we see in our society today. We have the opposite scenario but the same result. Today, religion is small and hardly relevant. Everyone is free to fan out and believe whatever suits their fancy. All religions are viewed as being on equal ground. Some people profess to believe in Jesus Christ but have no resemblance of His lordship in their life. Some people worship Allah, others worship Buddha; still others worship nature and the inner self. “It’s all good”, they say. I listened to part of the National Prayer Breakfast when the President was speaking. He quoted from the , talked about Jesus Christ and then quoted from the Quran, and talked about Allah. What we have today is the opposite of what Priscilla and Aquila saw. Apollos was fervently committed but lacked the full understanding of the work of Christ. Today, people are uncommitted and lack the understanding of the work of Christ. Today, what we call religion is more akin to agnosticism.

1 This helps us to understand the importance of the role of the evangelical protestant church and the importance of every believer to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. You and I are the Priscilla and Aquila of today. We are the ones who need to: a) Make sure we are fully experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our life. b) Share with others all that is encompassed in a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is completely possible to celebrate Easter without experiencing the liberation that comes from the death to self and personal resurrection to a new life in Christ. Consider the crowd in our church and other churches on Easter Sunday. Need I say more? Like Apollos, we need to understand that the Jesus Christ is alive. There is profound fulfillment in the atonement of Calvary and great victory in the resurrection of Easter morning. But there is also the power of His daily presence in the form of the Holy Spirit thanks to Pentecost.

2. Believers never stop growing in their understanding and commitment (Acts 19:1‐7). Who were these men Paul encountered in ? They were men who had heard and believed in the message of John the Baptist. It is important not to make too much of the fact that they were disciples of John. This means they had heard and believed his message and been baptized perhaps by John or other disciples of John. What things did they possess and what things were missing in their faith? To be followers of John, they must have accepted his message which was, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand… Prepare the way of the Lord.” They recognized themselves as sinners and repented. They believed in Jesus as the Messiah based on John’s preaching. But they were lacking in the same things we surmise Apollos was lacking; the full understanding of Calvary, Easter and Pentecost. They readily admitted they have no understanding of the Holy Spirit. Their experience is much like that of Apollos. Notice that like Apollos, they were not defensive but rather eager to hear and learn more. A sure sign of spiritual maturity is a willingness to grow. We do not have all the answers when we are saved. We do not become instant theologians the moment we receive Christ. None of us know all there is to know about the kingdom of God. We must have a hunger and willingness to grow in our understanding and our commitment to surrender to Him (Philippians 2:12 “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”) What is required in order to experience the Holy Spirit? Was it the fact that Paul laid hands on them that they received the Holy Spirit? Is it the act of that triggers the Holy Spirit? The answer is neither. The Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us by believing, receiving and surrendering to the work of Jesus Christ. Too much emphasis is placed on the moment they received the Holy Spirit and the evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. None of us are complete in experiencing the Holy Spirit when we receive Christ. It indwells us but we must also work it out in our walk with Christ. I often tell parents of children who accept Christ to never throw their decision up to them. Realize they are still children and they must grow and mature in their understanding and commitment. We too are growing and must learn, receive and surrender in order to fully experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We should be able to recognize it at work in us, even if it does not include speaking in tongues and prophesy.

2 3. We serve a God that cannot be defeated (Acts 19:24‐27). As we read further in Acts 19, we find that God used Paul’s preaching in Ephesus to completely transform the people and the city. People began to confess their sins and turn away from their idolatry worship of Artemis. This became so powerful the people started turning in their books on idolatry and sorcery and burned their silver images of Artemis. One silversmith didn’t take well to the loss of business so he gathered others together and presented the speech we read in verses 24‐27. Notice verse 27. 27 So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of and the world adore.” Acts 19:27 HCSB In the interest of time, we will not discuss everything that took place in Ephesus. However, it is important to mention two things. 1. Notice that Demetrius was concerned that his god would completely go away if something wasn’t done about Paul and his followers. Realize that we serve a God who cannot be defeated by any man or any other power. This is a clear view of the difference of a god in the minds of man vs. the one true God and creator of all things. 2. In his speech, Demetrius sought to condemn Christ but in effect honors Him. Notice that Demetrius seems to be persuading himself against his own business. I believe this is the same Demetrius mentioned in 3 John 1:12 who later has a great testimony. It is possible that this very Demetrius realized the vast goodness of God who does not need our idols. This angry businessman later had a powerful testimony for Christ. Note: The name is mentioned in both Acts 19 and 3 John. Also, John was a resident of Ephesus for much of his ministry. 12 Demetrius has a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. And we also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true. 3 John 1:12 HCSB

Conclusion Apollos and the disciples of John the Baptist were open and willing to learn more. Apollos went on to do a great work not under his own talents but by the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Paul would later write of the work of Apollos: 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:5‐7 HCSB So this leaves you and I with two questions: 1. Are we growing in our understanding and commitment to our Lord? 2. Are we planting or watering for the Lord Jesus Christ? Put another way, what do others know about the power of Calvary, Easter and Pentecost in your life?

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