[:en]SCRIPTURE: ACTS 19
“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul so that even handkerchiefs and apron that had touched him were taken to the sick and their sickness were cured and the evil spirits left them” (Acts 19:11-12)
PAUL IN EPHESUS (vs. 1-22)
Paul baptized 12 disciples in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesized. Paul continued to minister God’s Word for two years. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul. Even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick and their sickness were cured and the evil spirits left them (v. 11-12-)
Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest involved the name of the Lord Jesus to drive out demon possessed. One day, the evil spirit answered: “Jesus, I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (v. 15). Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on him and overpowered them all. He beat them and they ran out naked and bleeding.
The Jews and Greeks in Ephesus were all in fear and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many sorcerers, magicians, dabblers in spiritualism and other Satanic practices burned their scrolls in public. And the Word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
THE RIOT IN EPHESUS (vs. 23-41)
A silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis was out of business because Paul taught them that man-made gods are no gods at all. Demetrius told the people that because of Paul’s teaching, the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and be robbed of her divine majesty (vs. 26-27). Upon hearing this, the whole city was in an uproar. People seized Paul’s traveling companion Gaius and Aristarchus into the theater. The Jews pushed Alexander to press charges against them. But Alexander told them to go to court and settle in a legal assembly. Then he dismissed the assembly.
Satan always find ways to hinder the work of the Lord. We can overcome the adversary if we trust God and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to preach His Word.
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