As Acts 19 opens, Paul is on his third missionary journey, and he arrives in Ephesus, where he meets a group of twelve disciples who were baptized under John the Baptist teaching. After questioning them, Paul discovers they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit., nor were they baptized in the name of Jesus; therefore, Paul shares the gospel of Jesus with them. Upon hearing Paul’s teaching, these disciples were baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking with tongues and prophesying when Paul laid his hands on them.
For three months Paul was able to go into the synagogue and vehemently speak about the kingdom of God until opposition arose and people rejected Paul’s ministry. Consequently, taking those who believed Paul daily met at Tyrannus’s school, sharing the gospel for the next two years, which resulted in both Jews and Greeks who lived in Asia hearing about the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, when Paul’s handkerchiefs or aprons were placed on the sick, they were healed, and those who were demon-possessed were delivered.
Impressed with the power that Paul displayed, some Jewish itinerant exorcists attempted to cast out the demons of a man like Paul. Included in this group were the seven sons of the Jewish chief priest named Sceva. The evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” He then leaped on them and successfully attacked them, and when he finished, they ran out of the house naked and wounded. This event was made public to the Jews and Greeks at Ephesus, causing all the populace to fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
New converts came forward and confessed their involvement in the occult. Many brought their literature on divination and magic, made a pile of them, and burnt them. The estimated value of the burnt literature was fifty thousand pieces of silver. Also, the word of God expanded and prevailed.
After spending years in Ephesus, Paul left, passing Macedonia and Achaia to Jerusalem with the intention of going to Rome. While he was in Asia, Paul sent Timotheus and Erastus to Macedonia.
Demetrius, a silversmith who employed many artisans to manufacture silver shrines of the Greek goddess Diana, had a meeting with those involved in similar manufacturing. He discussed with them the negative effect of Paul’s ministry on their trade throughout Ephesus and Asia. Furthermore, he was concerned that the goddess Diana and her temple would no longer be highly esteemed, recognized, and revered throughout Turkey and around the world. Demetrius’s words incited the hearers, and they started shouting, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians,” and as people gathered, confusion ensued. Grabbing Paul’s Macedonian companions Gaius and Aristarchus, the people dragged them to the amphitheater. When Paul wanted to join his companions in the amphitheater, his fellow believers and the city officials advised him to stay away.
Meanwhile, adding to the confusion in the amphitheater, the crowd shouted different things. Alexander, who was recognized in the crowd by some of the Jews, was dragged upfront. When he tried to speak, realizing his nationality for several hours, the crowd hindered him from doing so by shouting, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
Finally, the mayor was able to silence the crowd and address them. He reminded them that Ephesus was known to house the great goddess Diana, and no one could hinder the worship of Diana, so there was no need to fret and cause a disturbance. If the artisans had a complaint, they needed to address the courts properly, for their present complaint was false. Finally, the riotous crowd’s behavior that just took place could jeopardize them with the Roman officials. The mayor then dismissed the crowd, and after understanding the implications of what the mayor said, they went home and so ended this chapter.
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from Acts 19:
When in doubt, ask questions about a person’s conversion.
Many people on this earth have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Man’s religious knowledge is often limited to what they have been taught.
When you don’t know something, ask questions.
Willingly share truths with others.
When you receive knowledge, act on it.
When people believe they receive.
Demons recognize who has power.
Trying to exorcise a demon without the power to do so can be dangerous.
God will expose counterfeiters for all to see.
God will cause the name of Jesus to be magnified.
When people are genuinely convicted, they will repent and relinquish their sinful practices.
When signs and wonders happen, people with occult practices can be swayed.
As Acts 18 opens, we find Paul in the city of Corinth, where he meets a Jewish couple, Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. Sharing the same occupation of a tentmaker, Paul lived in their household and worked with them.
When Silas and Timotheus, bringing a financial gift from the Macedonia church, arrived in Corinth, they found Paul working and sharing the gospel in the synagogue every sabbath. Not having much success ministering to the Jews in the synagogue and exasperated with their opposition and blasphemed, Paul said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” However, all was not lost for Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue and his household became converts.
Paul continued ministering to the residents of Corinth from Justus, a believer’s home which was located next to the synagogue. From this location many Corinthians believed and were baptized. Plus, in a vision one night, the Lord told him, “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace. For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” So, without fear, Paul continued ministering in Corinth for eighteen months.
Afterward, during Gallio’s appointment as the governor of Achaia, the Jewish opposers joined together and brought Paul to court with the accusation he was seducing people to worship illegally. Knowing the allegations were not about criminal acts but rather a religious dispute, Gallio refused further discussion and dismissed them from his presence. The Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him, but Gallio also did not respond to this.
After spending more time in Corinth, Paul, who had cut off his hair, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, sailed to Syria and Ephesus, where he left Priscilla and Aquila. Additionally, on the one sabbath he was in Ephesus, Paul went to the synagogue and ministered to the Jews. When they asked Paul to stay longer, he refused, saying, “I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will.”
Paul continues his travel to Caesarea, up to Jerusalem to see the church leaders, and then to Antioch. Furthermore, Paul continues to travel and minister throughout Galatia and Phrygia to encourage the brethren.
Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, born in Alexandria, eloquent and proficient in Word, arrived in Ephesus. Educated, inspirational, and zealous, Apollos ministered in the synagogue; however, his knowledge of the Word was limited, for he only knew up to the ministry of John the Baptist. Fortunately, Priscilla and Aquila heard him and were able to enlighten him about the life and ministry of Jesus. Because of his effective ministry, when Apollos decided to go to Achaia, the brethren gave him a letter of endorsement stating his qualifications to give to the disciples in Achaia. His ministry and knowledge of the Word were effective in Achaia, for he was able to prove to the Jews that Jesus was Christ publicly.
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from Acts 18:
People having the same trade can work together harmoniously.
To sustain oneself, employment may be necessary.
With the right kind of financial assistance, evangelizing the lost is possible.
It is often difficult for people to accept teachings that differ from their traditional one.
When one door closes, expect God to open another one.
God will give you a Word of encouragement when you need it the most.
People who oppose you will make false accusations to turn others against you.
Despite the opposition, God adds to the church.
Some governmental officials can discern the intent of men.
When you meet someone with half of the gospel truth, share your knowledge of the whole truth with them.
After leaving Philippi, Paul and Silas traveled through several cities until they arrived in Thessalonica. They went to the synagogue for three sabbaths, and Paul shared with the Jews the Gospel of Christ, His life, suffering, and resurrection. This resulted in some Jews believing, a large number of Greek proselytes and many influential women.
The envious, unbelieving Jews were able to gather hoodlums who helped them stir up the people in Thessalonica against Paul and Silas. While looking for them, they went to Jason’s home, where Paul and Silas had been staying, but they were not there when the riotous crowd arrived. Unable to locate Paul and Silas, the men took Jason and other believers to the city rulers, and they accused Jason of lodging a person who committed treason. According to them, Paul was turning the world upside down by teaching things contrary to the decrees of Caesar and promoting another king named Jesus. Though disturbed by the accusations after they posted bail, the city’s rulers allowed Jason and his companions to leave. Meanwhile, that night, the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea.
In Berea, Paul and Silas went to the synagogue and found open-minded individuals who were students of the Word and daily searched for the Truth written therein. Once again, prominent Greek women converted along with men.
When the Jewish opposers heard that Paul was successfully sharing the Gospel in Berea, they followed him there and stirred up trouble. Concerned for his welfare, the brethren sent Paul to Athens, but Silas and Timotheus remained in the city until Paul sent a request for them to come to Athens speedily.
While awaiting his missionary companions, Paul surveyed the idolatrous city, which motivated him to discuss his concerns with the Jews who were in the synagogue, devout Gentiles, and individuals he met in the marketplace. When the Epicurean philosophers who were materialistic and thought pleasure was the greatest good, and the rationalistic Stoics philosophers who believed in self-sufficiency heard the Gospel shared by Paul, those who did not consider the message as nonsense took him to the court of Areopagus on Mars Hill. It was their desire that Paul share with them this new doctrine that they never heard.
Standing on Mars Hill, Paul used the inscription he saw on an altar in the city, which said, “To The Unknown God,” to draw in the listeners. He skillfully continued sharing the sermon of God, the Creator and Lifegiver of everything who is all-sufficient, needs not the assistance of humans, and cannot be contained in temples built by man. This God made all humankind from one man and gave them the opportunity to seek Him during their limited, predetermined lifetime. Furthermore, since man was God’s offspring, God could not be made of metal. God’s expectation of man was for him not to be ignorant but repentive. Unfortunately, Paul’s mention of a resurrected Christ who would eventually judge man caused some to ridicule him while others wanted to hear him speak at another time.s
The chapter closes revealing several new converts were gained from the Mars Hill experience. The names of two new converts were Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris.
Here are the nuggets I gained from Acts 17:
There will always be those who oppose the Gospel message.
Give all an opportunity to hear the Gospel.
Your opposers will lie about you to others.
Do not allow the opposers to stop you; keep on the move.
In the world, there are those who are serious about studying the Word.
It is good to be a student of the Word.
Some people want to know the Truth.
Enemies of the Gospel will always attempt to discourage and squash evangelism.
Idol worship should ignite the Spirit of Evangelism in believers.
To win the lost, it is necessary to be wise in your presentation.
Man is part of God’s creation, and his life has been predetermined.
God the Creator did not need man’s assistance in His creative work.
Everyone born on earth has a common ancestor.
God wants man to seek Him.
God has a judgment day set for men.
All humans originated from one man.
God has set boundaries.
Traveling from town to town and sharing the decrees and instructions given to him by James, the apostles and elders for the Gentile converts, Paul and his companion Silas finally arrived in Derbe and Lystra. There, they met Timotheus, the son of a believing Jewess mother and a Greek father. Receiving a good report concerning Timotheus Paul decided to have him accompany them on their missionary journey. However, before departing, Paul had Timotheus circumcised to appease the Jewish believers, and as they continued in their mission, the churches were established in faith and membership.
Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go to Asia and Bithynia, they traveled throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia until they came to Troas, where Paul had a vision of a man saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Thus, they traveled through Samothracia and Neapolis to Philippi, a city in Macedonia.
Since there was no synagogue in Philippi Paul and his fellow laborers went to the riverside to pray. There, they met a prosperous woman named Lydia, who was born in Thyatira but had an established textile business in Phillipi. Hearing and responding to the gospel message, Lydia and her household were baptized. Furthermore, she invited Paul and his fellow laborers to stay in her home.
Eventually, while going to prayer, a girl possessed with the spirit of divination repeatedly followed Paul and said, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” Becoming annoyed with her behavior, Paul casts the spirit of divination out of her. This upset her masters when they realized she was no longer profitable to them, and they caught Paul and Silas and took them to the city magistrates. The masters accused Paul and Silas of causing a disturbance in the city by teaching an unlawful message that the Romans were not to receive or observe. With the approval of the multitude, the magistrate had Paul and Silas stripped, beaten, and put in prison.
Placed In the innermost part of the prison with their feet in stocks, the scriptures revealed at midnight. Paul and Silas were heard by the other prisoners praying and singing praises to God. An earthquake occurs, shaking the prison, causing the prison doors to open and all the prisoners’ bands to be loosed.
Awaking out of his sleep, seeing the prison doors open, assuming the prisoners had escaped, and knowing he would be held accountable, the jailer pulled out his sword to commit suicide. Paul, however, yelled out to him not to harm himself, and the jailer came with a light trembling and knelt before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out of the prison and asked them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Furthermore, they ministered to the jailer’s household, who happily was baptized. The jailer washed their stripes, brought Paul and Silas into his house, and fed them as he and his household rejoiced and believed in God.
In the morning, the magistrate sent word to the jailer to let Paul and Silas go, but Paul refused to go quietly. He sent word to the magistrate that they, being Roman citizens, were beaten and imprisoned illegally. Fearing the consequence of their actions, the magistrates came to the jailer’s home and requested that Paul and his companions depart Phillipi. Thus, after leaving the prison, Paul and Silas went to Lydia’s home, encouraged the believers, and left the city, which concludes this chapter.
Here are the nuggets I gleaned from Acts 16:
Before including someone in your ministry assignment, know that they are credible.
God gives His servants directions in various ways.
Listen for directions; what you want to do may not be what God wants you to do.
The roads that lead to ministry are not always smooth.
Share the gospel wherever you go.
God will send His servants where the gospel is needed to be heard.
Be hospitable, especially to those in the ministry.
You can pray and share the gospel outside.
People from all economic backgrounds are open to the gospel message.
The enemy knows how to speak the truth.
When you witness someone who is bonded, if you can cast out the spirit of bondage and set the captive free.
You become a financial liability when you are no longer profitable to your employer.
At the darkest and most painful time of your life, pray and sing praise to God.
Your prayers and praise can set those held captive free.
God will shake the earth on behalf of His faithful children.
Some people prefer to commit suicide rather than be killed by someone else.
Desperate people will take desperate measures.
Miraculous occurrences can lead to conversion.
Responding to allegations without questioning all involved may lead to a false arrest.
Accepting Jesus as your Savior can also lead your household to accept Him.
Feed the hungry and soothe those who are bruised.
Roman law reveals you cannot be condemned if your case is not heard.
The story in Acts 10 of Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian band, takes place approximately ten years after Pentecost. The scriptures revealed that Cornelius was a man of prayer who feared God and was charitable to those in need. Additionally, Cornelius had a significant influence on his family to also be God-fearing.
One day, around 3 pm, he was frightened when he had a vision of an angel coming to him and he said, “What is it, Lord?” The angel told him that God looked favorably on his prayers and charitable giving, and he was to send it to Joppa for Peter, who would instruct him on what to do. So, after giving them details of what happened, Cornelius sent two of his household servants and a devoted soldier 33 miles south of Caesarea to Peter, who was lodging in Joppa in the home of Simon the Tanner.
On the following day, around noon, as the three men came near to Joppa, Peter, who went to the house top to pray, became hungry. While waiting for his meal to be prepared, he fell into a trance and saw the heaven open with a vast sheet filled with every kind of four-footed beasts, wild animals, creeping things, and birds in it being lowered to the ground. Next, a voice said, “Rise, Peter; kill, and eat” but Peter, knowing the Levitical law, refused. Again, he was instructed to eat and told, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common,” but Peter remained hesitant. After this was done three times, the sheet was raised back into the heavens.
While Peter was confused about the trance he experienced, the three men arrived at Simon’s house and, standing at the gate, inquired about Peter. Having been informed by the Holy Spirit of their arrival, Peter went and conversed with them. The men told Peter about Cornelius and their errand. Peter invited the men into the home, fed and lodged them for the night. In the morning, Peter, along with six brethren, accompanied them back to Cornelius’s house, where Cornelius had gathered his family and friends.
When they arrived at the home, Cornelius bowed down and worshipped Peter, who stopped him by saying, “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” Upon entering Cornelius’s home and seeing the gathering, Peter shared that God had shown him not to call any man common or unclean; therefore, he obeyed God’s directive to go to Cornelius.
In turn, Cornelius shared his angelic experience and instructions he had four days ago, which he followed. Then Peter, perceiving God was no respecter of persons, shared the ministry of Jesus, His death and resurrection, appearance to His followers, and salvation to whosoever believed.
To the astonishment of the brethren that accompanied Peter while he was talking, Cornelius and those gathered were filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Responding to what occurred Peter said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”
Happily, this chapter ends with those gathered in Cornelius’ house being baptized and Cornelius asking Peter to stay with them for a few more days. As I have in previous blogs, I close with nuggets that I have gathered from this chapter:
God hears the prayers and recognizes the charitable actions of people who fear Him.
Your righteous character should be displayed to others.
Strive to know more of God.
Sometimes, God speaks to individuals by visions.
When you receive divine direction, act on it.
Pray throughout the day.
God accepts both Jews and Gentiles: He is not a bigot.
Recognize those whom God has sent to you
Following God’s instructions can lead to the salvation of many.
Worship should only be directed to God.
Impart the knowledge God has given you to others.
Bring people to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The infilling of the Holy Spirit can happen in various ways.
Some people receive the Holy Spirit before water baptism.
The Kingdom of God is designed to include people of all nationalities.
The Teacher's Pick 