Dear Friends,
Greetings in Christ!
In this post, we come to one of the high-water marks in Paul’s ministry, his ministry in Ephesus. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Acts 19:1-12
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts [in what we know as Turkey] came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
In our last post on the conclusion of Chapter 18, we saw Apollos evangelizing in Ephesus, but knowing only John’s baptism. (Acts 18:25) Then he met Priscilla and Aquila, who expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Afterward, Apollos left for Corinth. These ‘certain disciples’ that Paul found are likely affiliates of Apollos, whom he evangelized before he met Priscilla and Aquila.
2 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.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Here we have some insight into the so-called ‘Jesus only’ controversy. As part of this misunderstanding, some say that unless someone is baptized in the name of Jesus, their baptism is not valid. Yet we can see from Paul’s question that they were following the words that Jesus gives for baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matt 28:19) They say they have not heard of the Holy Ghost, and Paul asks, Unto what then were you baptized? In other words, they should have heard of the Holy Ghost as they were baptized.
When I baptize someone, I add ‘in the name of Jesus’ just to make everyone happy, but baptism does not save. Only faith in Jesus saves. If you get baptized without faith, you do not get saved; you just get wet.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The ‘Jesus only’ crowd would point to this verse to prove their point, but I would argue it only shows that Paul was not concerned with a rigid formula for baptism. Whether you say in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, or whether you say in the name of the Lord Jesus, what matters is that the one being baptized believes that Jesus died for her or his sins and rose again (Rom 10:9), not what words are used.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Verse 6 seems to show that there can be a second filling of the Holy Spirit to empower the believer for service after one initially believes and is saved. Paul laid hands on them, but in Acts 10:44, the Holy Spirit fell on new believers as Peter was speaking. It is best to avoid rigid thinking about the way things should be done. Thinking there is only one way to receive the Holy Ghost, or only one way to be baptized, is not biblical. Jesus healed people in many different ways, I believe to show there is no ‘one right way’ to do it. Sometimes, He made clay and anointed their eyes. Sometimes he spat and touched their tongue. Sometimes, He said, Stretch forth thine hand. Sometimes He touched their eyes. Sometimes Jesus healed without doing anything.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
It took 10 men to have a synagogue. These certain disciples were members of a synagogue, so after meeting them, Paul goes to their synagogue.
8 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.
9 But when 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.
Paul did his best, but some of them refused to believe and started causing trouble. Paul then departed from them and changed venues. Tyrannus the philosopher welcomed Paul, showing he was open-minded. All we know about Tyrannus is that he operated a lecture hall, but I like to think that the way Dr Luke mentions his name is a subtle hint that Tyrannus became a believer.
10 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.
Here we have a Romans 8:28, one of many in Acts. After the troublemakers in the synagogue made it necessary for Paul to move on, he reached a much larger audience through his teaching ministry at the school of Tyrannus.
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
Paul did not work the miracles; God did. Dr Luke uses careful wording to make this clear.
12 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 19:1-12
In II Thessalonians 3:10, Paul wrote that if a man does not work, neither should he eat. Although Paul was preaching and teaching, he supported himself through his tentmaking trade, rather than by receiving donations. These handkerchiefs or aprons were Paul’s work rags that he used as he was tentmaking.
The disciples in Ephesus had such reverence for Paul as a holy man that they took his sweaty work rags and laid them on the sick. This may sound superstitious to our modern minds, but it shows God’s great grace and patience. God will meet us where we are. The people in that part of the world were indeed superstitious; some still are. If my understanding is limited to thinking that touching the hem of Jesus’ garment will heal me (Luke 8:44), or that touching Paul’s work rags or his apron will heal or cast a demon out of someone, then God will meet me there. If I am like the Roman centurion who had no superstitious beliefs as such, God is even more pleased. (Luke 7:9)
So as Chapter 19 opens, we see how Paul helped some Jewish believers he found in Ephesus who had not heard of the Holy Spirit; how he taught in the synagogue, then became persona non grata there; how this turned out to expand the reach of his teaching ministry, and how miracles were wrought as a byproduct of Paul’s tentmaking. I wonder if Paul was thinking about the Romans 8:28 principle as he was slaving in the hot sun making tents, or after he had to leave the synagogue? I heard a certain preacher talking about Romans 8:28 who said And we know that some things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Of course he was being facetious. If we really believe the Bible, we ought to always be able to roll with the punches, knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I like to use this same technique on other Bible verses:
6 Let your speech be in some ways with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6
14 Do some things without murmurings and disputings:
Philippians 2:14
13 For some who call upon the name of the Lord might be saved.
Romans 10:13
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am a way, a truth, and a life: there are other ways unto the Father, besides me.
John 14:6
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into the local community, and preach the gospel to some.
Mark 16:15
If I really believe the Bible is true, I have to reevaluate my behavior. Father, thank You for your perfect and everlasting word, which is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Help us to fear You and walk in your ways, that we may please your Son in all things, for your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
