YOUTH STS LESSON 208 REVIVAL IN EPHESUS
TEXT: Acts 19:1-41
MEMORY VERSE: “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).
The preceding lesson deals with the effect of Paul’s visit to Ephesus. Also, we discussed the courage of the apostle who continued the gospel work despite the blasphemies and persecutions he experienced at Ephesus. Paul had been in Ephesus for some time. He had preached and “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (verse 20). There were life-changing testimonies of “many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds” (verse 18). “After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome” (verse 21). In the continuation of the missionary work he wanted to be at Jerusalem and later go to Rome. Meanwhile, he sent two of his companions, Timothy and Erastus, to go into Macedonia. He wanted them to go and strengthen the work he had done there. However, there arose persecution against the way of the Lord he preached in Ephesus. One of the idolatrous contractors stirred up men of like occupation against the way of the Lord and the life of faith. The city of Ephesus was civilised as the law enforcement agents could not allow any member of the community to be subjected to torture without being tried. God used this civil right to protect the Christians who were apprehended.
PROGRESS AND EDIFICATION THROUGH A CONCERNED LEADER
(Acts 19:1-12; Isaiah 5:13; Hosea 4:6; Proverbs 13:23; Acts 11:22-26; 18:25-26; Ephesians 4:11-15; Acts 1:8; Micah 3:8)
“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? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (verses 1,2).
Before Paul came back to Ephesus, Apollos had been teaching in Ephesus, the things of the Lord as John the Baptist taught. This happened before he was called by Aquila and Priscilla. The effect of his one-sided teaching may not have been easily and completely eradicated. Hence, there were some believers in Ephesus who knew no other baptism but that of John. Paul came to Ephesus and found certain of these disciples. His question was simple: “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” Unfortunately, they were ignorant of this blessed gift of God. They admitted their ignorance. “And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost”. Their ignorance kept them from this gift of Grace.
Question 1: What are the dangers of spiritual ignorance in the life of a youth?
“Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst” (Isaiah 5:13).
Ignorance leads to and keeps someone in spiritual bondage. Even men of honour lose their prestige when they claim ignorance of basic things. Ignorance, beyond captivity, can lead to destruction. Those who are void of the knowledge of the Most High are in the danger of being rejected by Him. It can also lead to losing track of what is right and appropriate.
Question 2: What can set an ignorant youth free?
Paul began to unravel the truth that these disciples did not know. His encounter with them pulled off the wool from their eyes. He began to make clear distinctions between the baptism of John and that of Christ. In the process, he discovered they had not done the right baptism, which he did. Jesus says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). The knowledge of the truth is what everybody needs in order to be free from ignorance.
Getting this truth sometimes comes when we attend church meetings either in the public place or from house to house. But, more importantly, there is more benefit to the life of the church when the leaders visit the members to answer and clear their individual questions. Good spiritual leaders go after their members to teach and edify their spiritual lives. There are so many confusing things they may have heard over the radio or television. Some are in the newspapers. But a concerned leader tries to find out what his members know, do not know or are supposed to know.
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve” (verses 6,7).
After Paul had finished his admonition, he ministered to them and they received the Holy Ghost. This is another progress to their spiritual lives.
Question 3: Why do Christian youths need the Holy Ghost?
When these disciples (about twelve of them) received the Holy Ghost, “they spake with tongues, and prophesied”. The Spirit’s power is given to all believers to help in preaching (i.e. prophetic) ministry. The power is given to enable us effectively and convincingly communicate the gospel.
“But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin” (Micah 3:8).
Besides, the Holy Ghost gives us the enablement to pray according to the will of God even when we are weak (Romans 8:26).
“And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God” (verse 8).
Paul needed to strengthen the work of the Lord in Ephesus. As a result, he stayed three months, teaching among the people. The word “disputing” implies that there were people who had erroneous doctrines which he corrected. He was “persuading” those who cared to listen.
Unfortunately, “…divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (verses 9,10).
Many of those Ephesians who heard the word did not believe. Despite the effort of Paul to rescue them from ignorance and destruction, they sealed their hearts against the word. Besides, they even “spake evil of that way before the multitude”, and were discouraging many others who listened to Paul.
This was enough to make Paul bolt out of the work in Ephesus. But he found an alternative means by which the sincere seekers of that city could hear the word. He left the sceptics and gathered together those who were ready for the word in a school compound. This he did for about two years. He endured the assaults he experienced from the enemies of the gospel. He courageously weathered the storm of hatred and persecutions (Acts 20:17-21).
The success was very significant such “that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 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” (verses 10-12).
Question 4: What can Christian youths do when they meet with oppositions while serving God?
As Christian youths, there are times that those we are trying to preach to in our schools or neighbourhood resist us. Sometimes, it is our parents that stage oppositions against our service to God. It is not enough to be discouraged and throw in the towel. Endure all the sufferings and keep on doing your very best. If there is an alternative means available to you, take a good advantage of it. For instance, if you are restricted from preaching in the bus, give tracts to those who are interested. You can see your spiritual leaders for more alternative means in some other peculiar situations.
THE POWER AND EVIDENCE OF A CHANGED LIFE
(Acts 19:13-20; Mark 16:16-18; Luke 10:17-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:20-32; Titus 2:9-12)
“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” (verses 13-15).
In Ephesus, there were some Jews who wandered about from place to place, vagabond they were called. They were religious exorcists, pretending to have the power to cast out evil spirits from those who are oppressed. These men did not have the real authority but could only be “saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth”. In particular, “there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so”.
The evil spirit did not recognise their power or authority over him. ”And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
The evil spirit not only recognised Jesus but also those who have been changed by Him—all those whose names have been written in the book of life. Except you have a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, you cannot have dominion over satan and all his tacts. The devil will make a mess of the lives of the people who do not repent.
“And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:16).
That attracted so much attention that many more people wanted to be associated with the Lord (Acts 19:17).
Question 5: How can a sinning youth experience a changed life?
To have a changed life, we can see what to do from what this people did. “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds” (verse18). After acknowledging your sinful state and the need for a Saviour, one important thing is to have faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. You must believe that He can save you. Then, you confess your sins and accept Jesus into your heart by faith.
Question 6: What is the evidence of a changed life?
“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” (verse 19).
A truly converted life will publicly renounce dishonest and evil things of darkness. There will be fruits of repentance such as truthfulness replacing lies; hardwork replacing theft; purity replacing prostitution etc. As those who claim to believe or have been changed by God live the changed life, God’s word will grow. “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (verse 20).
PROTECTION AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CONSECRATED LEADER
(Acts 19:21-41; Romans 1:14-16; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Ephesians 6:21,22; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6; 1 Timothy 1:1-3)
“After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome” (Acts 19:21).
Paul was a preacher who wanted to be at every place where he could share the gospel. He was always concerned to share the gospel with as many people who had not heard it. He did not have any class he could not mingle with for the gospel sake (1 Corinthians 9:20-23). This is in line with the instruction and the practice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth” (Mark 1:38).
“So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season” (verse 22).
Paul’s concern about gospel preaching was not limited to his immediate environment. He had care for all the other places where he had preached. He said later in his ministry: “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28).
His concern was that the work he had done in those churches might continue with them. Also, he would like them to grow more and more in grace. As a result, if he could not be physically present, he would ensure that he had trusted companions of his to visit the people. He had a very strong passion for the people he preached to.
Question 7: What can we do to help converts that live very far from our immediate reach?
From the example of Paul, if we have converts who live very far, we can contact the church that is in their locality to visit them and ensure their spiritual growth. The whole idea is to ensure that we have trusted and matured church members to go after them because we cannot immediately reach them. Also, we can send them text messages, e-mails, Christian literatures etc. containing messages preached in the church.
“And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen” (verses 23, 24).
When Paul preached, he taught the people the truth that their lives were not in accordance with the scriptures. He also taught them that worship of idols was damnable. This hard core teaching brought many out of their ignorant living and they began to live righteously. The consequence was that many Ephesians who worshipped the statue of Diana did not worship it any more. Hence, they stopped building her temple. There was a reduction in the rate at which contract to build Diana’s temple went out.
Then, Demetrius, a contractor and an employer of labour in the building of Diana’s temple became upset that his business, gain and wealth was in danger of being lost. Then, he began to incite others against Paul and the preaching of the sound gospel. With pretentious address, he got the support of many.
“And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians” (verse 28).
Unfortunately, even people that did not know what actually happened also joined the mob to apprehend some of Paul’s companions (verse 29).
Question 8: What are the causes of persecutions of Christian youths today?
Preaching the gospel and godly living attract persecutions from those who do not receive the gospel. As the lives and testimonies of the recipients of the gospel contradict those who do not receive it, they will begin to persecute those who live by the gospel.
“But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:17,18).
Usually, people who do not receive the gospel are the promoters of persecution. God will deliver us from persecutions that are dangerous to our lives.
“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” (2 Timothy 4:17).
Any youth passing through persecution should have firm faith and confidence that:
“the Lord shall deliver (them) from every evil work, and will preserve (them) unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:17,18).
