ADULT STS LESSON 208 REVIVAL IN EPHESUS
MEMORY VERSE:
“Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands” (Acts 19:26).
TEXT:
Acts 19:1-41
The passage of the Scripture under consideration gives a comprehensive summary of the ministry of Paul the apostle in Ephesus. The city of Ephesus was the capital and leading business centre of the Roman province of Asia Minor (now, part of present-day Turkey). It was also said to be a centre of black magic and occult practices. The people sought for spells to give them wealth, happiness and success in marriage. Superstition and sorcery were commonplace. The temple of Diana or Artemis, the great goddess of fertility in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was to this city Paul the Apostle came, met a small group of twelve disciples and led them to the experience of Holy Ghost baptism. Paul ministered in Ephesus for about three years (Acts 20:31; 19:8,10,22,23). The Apostle did a very thorough work during this period. From Ephesus, every other part of Asia Minor was reached with the gospel; both Jews and Gentiles heard the word of God. The believers had deep spiritual experiences and the church was firmly established in the faith. Christ, the Head of the Church, made a very positive remark on the early experience and commitment of this church (Revelation 2:2,3).
REAL EVIDENCE OF GOSPEL IMPACT IN EPHESUS
(Acts 19:1-20; Matthew 3:1,2,7-11; John 1:15; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-11; 10:44-48; 20:17-21,31,33; Romans 10:10)
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?…” (Acts 19:1,2).
On his arrival at Ephesus, Paul met the disciples. This was evidence that gospel work had started there before he came. He began to fellowship with this small group and soon discovered that something was lacking in their Christian experience: the Holy Ghost baptism. He, therefore, asked them and they answered, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2).
It is not clear why these disciples have not received the Holy Ghost about 25 years after His descent in a baptismal measure upon the believers on the day of Pentecost. It might not have been because they were new converts. This is because even John the Baptist, unto whose baptism they were baptized, had always made reference to the mightier One coming after him. Whatever the case, it is evident that they were willing to embrace the deeper revelation and new light, which Apostle Paul was about to unveil (Acts 19:3-5).
After diagnosing their level of knowledge and spirituality, Paul was very sure that they were believers (Acts 19:2). Afterwards, they were properly baptized “…in the name of the Lord Jesus” and he led them to the glorious experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came upon them and they spake with tongues and prophesied.”
Paul laboured in Ephesus and its environs for about three years. Though he met a very few number of disciples, they certainly helped his ministry to grow faster in the region. The Apostle equally manifested wisdom in handling his converts. When opposition to his teaching grew in the synagogue, he separated the disciples to the school of one called Tyrannus and there continued preaching and teaching the word of God (Acts 19:9) for about two years “until all that dwell in Asia heard the word of the Lord.”
“…And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:9-12).
We should not be deterred by oppositions to the truth because the Lord has promised to stand by us. The miracles further publicised the work in Asia and, “so mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:20).
However, certain unbelieving young men, described as “vagabond Jews” who were so fascinated with the powerful ministry of Paul attempted to cast out devils like he did. Unknown to them, the demons recognised true servants of Christ and would not bow to hypocrites and strangers to the gospel. Consequently, they were over-powered by the demoniac, humiliated and forced to flee. That incident further confirmed Paul’s ministry “…and many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.”
RESOLUTE RESISTANCE AGAINST THE GOSPEL
(Acts 19:23-34; 16:16-24; 17:6-8; Luke 12:51-53; Isaiah 56:11,12; 1 Timothy 6:9,10)
When God’s people obey the great commission, Satan and his cohorts always instigate opposition against them. Believers should, therefore, not be surprised at Satan-inspired anti-gospel rules and regulations, mockery, persecution, etc. from religious groups, heretics, backsliders and pseudo-Christian groups whose unwholesome means of livelihood are threatened with the knowledge of the truth.
Their primary fear is borne out of the fact that mass conversion of their patrons, supporters and followers will erode the means of enriching themselves at the detriment of others.
Before the advent of the gospel in Ephesus, the mega-city was the centre of witchcraft, demonism, the black arts, astrology and occult practices of all kinds. The city was sold out to Satan and his devices. It was common to find priests, magicians, witches, warlocks and quacks of every description in this wicked city.
Though it was wealthy, spiritual darkness engulfed the whole of Ephesus, which was famous for the Temple of Diana. One of the chief products of the town was the silver idols that were made by the artisans of the temple.
However, the condition of the city changed with the coming of Apostle Paul with the gospel. On hearing the gospel, multitudes were converted and they openly brought their books of magic and black arts, piled them up and burned them.
“Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Acts 19:19).
Their confession led to radical change of heart and action, indicating the reality of repentance. The spiritual conditions of our cities today are comparable to, if not worse than, that of Ephesus.
As the Ephesians turned from idols to Christ, the economy, culture and religion of the city were seriously affected by the change (Acts 26:18).
Those who claim to be genuinely converted must have a change of desire and direction, which ultimately leads to a change of destiny.
When the gospel is preached with the aid of the Holy Spirit, the religious, social and cultural life of the people would be deeply affected.
Demetrius, for love of gain, organised uproar against Paul. He worked the people up by appealing to their greed.
“And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia… they rushed with one accord into the theatre” (Acts 19:28,29).
The idol makers were hit where it hurts most – their pockets. Demetrius pointed out three problems that the preaching of Paul caused them: loss of money (verse 25), reputation (verse 27) and their god (verse 27).
He convinced his fellow silversmiths that their business would be discredited if Paul was allowed to continue to preach against their gods.
The reasons many people reject the gospel are traceable to those stated by Demetrius. Those who work in breweries, tobacco companies and health facilities where abortion procurement is the order of the day, may not be willing to give up the fight against the gospel due to anticipated loss of revenue.
For two hours, the people shouted, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians”!
The riotous crowd had a choice: silver or salvation, gold or God; man’s business or God’s business; Diana or Christ. They let their emotions rule, and bowed to an idol rather than Christ.
REMARKABLE RESCUE THROUGH GOD’S INTERVENTION
(Acts 19:35-41; 12:7-12; 16:25,26; 5:17-20; Psalms 34:7; 146:7; Isaiah 61:1)
As the city was in uproar, the town clerk, a high-ranking Roman official, was alerted and he quickly put down the riot. His sudden and timely appearance on this particular occasion was not a sheer coincidence but a divine arrangement. That was God’s hands at work in favour of His faithful children.
The Holy Writ is filled with catalogues of God’s miraculous deliverance for His children in the face of stiff persecution and opposition. Such occurrences include Joseph’s deliverance from the prison (Genesis 41:14); Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:27); Daniel from the lions’ den (Daniel 6:22); Jeremiah from the dungeon (Jeremiah 38:10); Peter from the prison (Acts 12:7) and Paul and Silas from the Philippian prison (Acts 16:26).
Yet, our God has not changed and He still delivers His children. This is a great assurance to those who are passing through difficult times.
Paul also testified that in the present and future, that power to deliver can always be re-enacted:
“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10).
Knowing that the God of deliverance never changes (Hebrews 13:8) and that all things work together for his good, true children of God must not resort to self-pity, regret, despair, murmuring, grumbling and despondence during persecution and opposition.
Rather, they should be humble and hopeful, courageous and confident, happy and heaven-minded, and turn opposition to opportunity to demonstrate godly disposition.
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear…” (1 Peter 3:14-17).
Questions for Review:
- What is the scriptural mode of water baptism?
- Identify the spiritual requirements for Holy Ghost baptism and why some believers do not have it.
- Identify the ingredients that contributed to the immense growth of Paul’s work in Ephesus.
- Explain how the work of God can prosper in our hands in spite of oppositions and difficulties.
- Name the major sources of opposition to the gospel.
- Itemise some reasons God allows His children to suffer persecution and opposition.
- What should be our response to oppositions?
