Ephesus: Facing Religious People - Acts 18:23 - 19:41

I do not know about you but I enjoyed the research and study that went into the lesson for last Sunday. Each degree in college requires the student to take one or more classes in sociology, psychology, or philosophy. It is sometimes difficult for a college student to understand how some of these classes will ever be of benefit to them in their chosen field. This has been my position for sometime but as I studied Paul’s observation of the Greek people I became aware that he got to know them by the symbols of their personal beliefs—their religion—which reflected their philosophy regarding life, death and the hereafter. One symbol was of a god that they didn’t know. That one alone told Paul that they were all mixed up and unsure.

The American People are living in a day of dutiful decision making and we have learned from history that decisions are made based on the philosophy of the individuals involved. Therefore, the result of the election to be held in November, in America hinges on the way the majority of the American people believe. Church attendance depends upon the philosophy of the people living in the different areas of the nation. The percentage of the population serving time in prison depends upon the philosophy of the people living in the area where the prison is located. The percentage of inmates that are white, black or other will reflect the philosophy of each race. The early Greek people are best known for their ability to determine what people believe, how they think and how they will act or react in accordance with their philosophy. Their beliefs and arguments were based on reason. Good teachers need the power of reasoning.

We know that the number of members belonging to any designated church or other religious organization, including cults, depends on the philosophy held by the membership. Digging deeper, we find that the choices made by individuals depends upon what literature they read. Baptist and other true believers accept the Bible to be the Truth; The Word of God, and therefore the best guide to produce the philosophy for life on earth and preparation for life in the hereafter. Therefore it is imperative that you study God’s Word in order to grow in faith and works, or to show thyself approved.

During the past century Christians have settled into congregations with trends that we know as “traditional” “liberal’ and “seeker-friendly” churches. The last two groups directs their out-reach programs and worship services toward those that are not Christians but claim to be religious. Being religious at least produces a mind that is open to the teaching of salvation through faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is sad, but those who have not personally studied the Bible often have an incomplete view of what it means to trust, follow, or surrender to Jesus.

During the past 63 years, I have been an active believer in six different Southern Baptist congregations. A} The philosophies of the majority of members in these different churches have ranged from the ultra traditional to the seeker friendly; and some of the seeker friendly churches were more liberal than others. B} Some believe that the church should be for Christians and should focus primary attention on helping Christians grow in discipleship. These usually feel that strong churches are made up of members who are familiar with Baptist teachings. These would have heard of “faith only” and “not by works” and would understand that baptism is by immersion, the security of believers, etc. C} Some churches think their outreach program should focus on all unbelievers, even those who have expressed no interest in any religion. They go into the highways and hedges.

This lesson based on Acts 18:24 through 19:41 gives us insight on how the early Christians, during Paul’s Third Missionary Journeys [which lasted three years, from AD 53 to 57] worked with the “religious people” to bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ. [You will note that the term “religious people” must have pertained to those who worshipped other gods.] How-ever some were seeking the truth but still did not fully understand what it meant to be a true believer in Christ. Today many join but never show any support. They did not have the Holy Spirit, and we know that religion without the Spirit is dead.

Apollos is an example of one searching. He was a learned Jew that had great knowledge of the scripture and had studied about repentance as taught by John the Baptist as the first step in becoming a Christian. He did not know about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ; neither did he know about the coming of the Holly Spirit and his purpose and mission. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak in the synagogue, they invited him to their home where they taught him the complete way to Christ.

Apollos grew up in Alexandria, Egypt which was the second most important city in the Roman Empire; second only to Rome, the Capitol. One of the most noted universities was located there, where Apollos was educated. He was a noted scholar of the University, a renowned debater and orator. And after his full knowledge about Christ he became great in his ability to reason the truth. The power of reasoning was the Greek’s greatest asset in the field of teaching. He became one of the most noted of the converted Jewish leaders—and God used him to do a great work in the church. Time has proven that the gift of reason is a mighty tool in the hands of a devoted teacher. It is sad when we realize that some of the greatest minds have become so contaminated with sin that they are never used for God and good in the classrooms of our universities in America. You ask why, and I say that it is because of their philosophy regarding evolution, their denial of creation. Many deny the truth in God’s Word…the bible.

Chapter 19 begins with Apollos teaching in Corinth, and Paul arriving in Ephesus, the capitol of the Roman province of Asia [a part of the present day Turkey] and the hub of sea and land transportation. Paul was there about two years. On his arrival [the first thing that happened…even before he went to the synagogue to preach] he found about twelve disciples that were still restricted because they only had the teachings of John. Paul asked if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They admitted that they did not know about the Spirit. Then he asked them what baptism they had received and they said… the baptism of John. Read Verses 5, 6, and 7 they are very important. What is your belief regarding speaking in tongues? When asked, can you say?

Note Again: There is some Vandiverism in this explanation—but it is what I believe to be truth—and it is scripture that you must be fully responsible for in your belief. You read, study, get help from sources you have faith in and draw your own conclusions. Then pray for me that I may have rightly divided the Word.

Paul said they had believed. I believe they had accepted Christ but still did not understand that he had died, was resurrected and sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost; therefore they did not know about the filling of the Holy Spirit that came to the believers there, and did not know that they had spoken in other tongues—therefore these believers in Ephesus were not complete Christians. That is; they had believed and turned from sin—but had not fully committed their life and turned to Christ—THROUGH FAITH. They knew of him but did not know him personally.

In order to give them a sign [perform a miracle] that would prove to them that they were now a NEW CREATURE Paul laid hands on them and they spoke in tongues. It does not say “other tongues” and it does not indicate that anyone there heard them in their own language. Usually the Holy Spirit filled those who repented of sin and placed their faith in Christ—and I believe it still does. Here in Ephesus, the filling of Spirit happened later because these disciple’s knowledge was incomplete. God was confirming to these believers who did not initially know about the Holy Spirit, that they were now a part of the church. The Holy Spirit fully endorsed them as believers. Again, I believe it was a miracle delivered by God as a sign to them. On the day of Pentecost “speaking in other tongues” was a miracle that was a sign to all present that God was present and working his might and power which from this day forward would be shown to others by their good works. And not by speaking in tongues. Paul advised that we use English. He said that a few words understood was worth more than many that no one knew.

I believe that the incident at Pentecost was the formal outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church. The other outpourings in the book of Acts were God’s way of uniting new believers to the church. The mark of the church is not merely right doctrine, but it includes right actions, therefore today, here in Heber Springs, our right actions is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in each one of our lives…and speaking in tongues is not necessary. Praying, supporting the poor, & good deeds speak louder than tongues.

[It is believed that Apollos faced some problems in the church at Corinth and called on Paul for help. So while in Ephesus, Paul wrote the first letter to the church in Corinth to help solve their problems. Then a few years later this church in Ephesus began having problems that led Paul to write them the Ephesians letter from his prison cell in Rome.]

Paul’s third journey started at Antioch and traveled North and West, visiting the original churches that he had started earlier. Many times we find that there seems to be a skip in the word, and this is one of those times because nothing is said about all of the towns that he visited on his way to Ephesus. Here he entered the synagogue as usual and spoke there for three months. When opposition arose, he took his disciples and moved to the lecture hall of the university where he preached for two years. This is a dry and hot country, and the professors used the school until eleven each morning and then closed until four PM. Paul used the building from eleven to four during the heat of the day and the bible indicates that many were converted. Would you attend five hours daily in a hot auditorium with no air conditioning even if Paul was preaching?


For two years Paul must have made tents early and late in the day and held services five hours in the heat of the day when university people thought it was too hot to work. Hidden in this thought we find Paul and his followers willing to sacrifice in order to have a place to preach and teach. He was there two years; therefore he had to practice his trade to pay his bills. There is no mention of others supporting him financially.

Ephesus was known for the practice of magic and other occult practices. Superstition and the practice of sorcery were common; these are powers of the Devil and can lead to demon procession. Some of these men saw Paul performing miracles in the name of Jesus that were greater than they were able to do. They tried using the name of Jesus in order to gain strength for their work. On one occasion a demon processed turned on the fake healers and overpowered them, tore their clothing and ran them out of the temple. Using Christ’s name in vain is dangerous. Praying in any other name is useless.

Paul’s desire to go to Rome grew and he started making plans to preach there.