acts 19. introduction acts 2 the coming of the spirit acts 19 the continuing work of the spirit the...
TRANSCRIPT
Acts 19
IntroductionActs 2
The coming of the SpiritActs 19
The continuing work of the SpiritThe last recorded incident of people speaking
in tonguesGod establishes his Church in Ephesus
Shrine to Artemis – (Diana)Goddess of the hunt
"I have seen the walls and Hanging Gardens of ancient Babylon, the statue of Olympian Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the mighty work of the high Pyramids and the tomb of Mausolus. But when I saw the temple at Ephesus rising to the clouds, all these other wonders were put in the shade." - Philon of Byzantium
The Great Temple of Artemis
35 columns had lower portions carved with figures in high relief
Ephesus (Cont.)The capital of proconsular Asia, 27 BCEphesus entered an era of prosperity.
It became the seat of the governor, a metropolis and a major centre of commerce.
Second in importance and size only to Rome.
Façade of Library of Celsus
Theatre at Ephesus – holds 25,000
Ephesus (Cont.)One of the most advanced aqueduct systems
in the ancient world, Jonah 4:11 “But Nineveh has more than a
hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"
The JourneyActs 18:18-19:1a
Paul has establish the church at Corinth Makes an initial visit to Ephesus promises to come back if he can Leaves behind Priscilla and Aquila
Apollos Jew raised in Alexandria Apollos was well educated and erudite Maybe author of Hebrews?
The Journey (Cont.)Apollos has been preaching about the
Messiah, repentance and the baptism of John at Ephesus
Then goes on to Corinth and continues the work Paul started
Paul returns as promised to EphesusHe and Apollos swapped places
18:24-19:1Later Apollos joined him in Ephesus
12 disciplesV1-7 - Encountered some disciplesThe last of the old testament saints?
Did not know the Holy Spirit had been given
Paul baptises them and then lays hands on themHoly Spirit fills them and they begin to speak
in other languages
12 disciples (Cont.)Compare with normal course today
Hear the wordBelieve and accept Jesus as Saviour & LordHoly Spirit is given as a seal - Eph 1:13Then baptised as outward sign of inward
change
Speaking in Tongues in Acts
A strategic city1. Confirmation of Paul's message2. Paul's apostleship is confirmed3. The work in Ephesus needs a special start
Proclamation – V8-11Paul went first to the Jews
He spent 3 months reasoning with them in the synagogue
Spoke boldly and persuasively about the Kingdom of God
An unusually long timesuggesting that at least some were receptive to
the good newsBut again the standard pattern - opposition
Moved next door to the hall of Tyrannus
Proclamation (Cont.)Paul maintained his schedule for 2 years
result was "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord"
Are we prepared to find out if others are interested in learning about Christ and then sharing what we know with them?
Confirmation – V11-12God confirms Paul's ministryAt this time in the development of the Church
No New TestamentAnswer - God himself authenticated Paul’s
words
Confirmation (Cont.)Standard feature of early Apostolic teaching
2 Cor 12:12-13 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
Heb 2:3-4 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Confirmation (Cont.)Matt 9:20-21 Just then a woman who had
been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
Acts 5:15-16 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
Confirmation (Cont.)Phil 2:25-27 But I think it is necessary to
send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
Competition – V13-167 sons of ScevaNo real powerTry to do it like Paul doesRealise just how much power they really
have!
Competition (Cont.)Magic spells
just get the right form of wordsor the correct incantation of power
Not real!God is sovereign
Competition (Cont.)Deuteronomy 6:5-6 Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
The church is built – V17-19The world had changed
the practices of the past had no place in God's new order
50,000 drachmas (pieces of silver)1 piece = 1 days wage for an average labourerAssuming £15k pa = £3.125mAssuming £30k pa = £6.25m
The church is built (Cont.)1 Cor 16:8-9
But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
Opposition – V23-41DemetriusMotivation was financial more than religiousStirs up a riot
Why?Maybe to create fear and ill will for the
preachers of Jesus
Opposition (Cont.)Paul wanted to go and speak
It's not always the right time to speakCity clerk diffused riot
no crime had been committedand that they were in danger of being reported
to Rome for rioting
EndingsGreat Temple of Artemis was destroyed
during a raid by the Goths in 268 A.D.The temple was rebuilt again, but in 391 it
was closed by the Emperor Theodosius the Great after he made Christianity the state religion.
The final temple was destroyed by a Christian mob in 401 A.D. and the stones were recycled into other buildings.
Site of the temple today
St John in EphesusBy 67AD John was based in Ephesus
led the churches in Asia MinorGospel of John may have been written hereExiled to Patmos where he wrote the book of
RevelationReturned after the death of Emperor Domitian
The tomb of St John
Bringing the GospelWhen Paul brought the Gospel to Ephesus he
did not attack Artemis directly. Confronted the assumptions that lay at the
root of idolatry. The message and the power of the living
Saviour revealed the emptiness of idolatry. We too should bring clear presentation of the
gospelGod's love for a fallen world