Good evening CCBC.
Tonight we’re reading from Acts chapter 19 verses 1-10 detailing Paul’s experience at Ephesus and his work at the School of Tyrannus.
We’re picking now 6 chapters after our previous study in chapter 13 where we saw:
- The Commissioning of Paul and Barnabas by the Holy Spirit
This began their early missionary journeys, preaching in various cities, establishing new Christian communities, and the challenges they faced, including opposition and persecution.
Key events include:
- The Blinding of a Sorcerer
- The Healing of a Man Crippled from Birth
- The Stoning of Paul
- The Debate about Gentile Believers
- The Recruiting of Timothy
- The Conversion of a Philippian Jailor
- The Proclamations of The Unknown God
Which Paul uses to introduce the Athenian philosophers to the true God they are unknowingly worshiping.
These chapters highlight the early travels of Paul through Cyprus and Asia Minor, detailing significant encounters with both Jews and Gentiles, documenting the spread of the Gospel and the inclusion of non-Jews in the faith.
We catch up with Paul now that he has arrived in Ephesus.
The Model of a Church Seminary
Key Points or Extractions
- Finding Disciples
- Gauging Understanding
- The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
- Proclamation of the Gospel
Read Scripture (1st part)
Acts 19:1-5 “[1] And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples [2] he said to them, ”Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?””
Teach:
Paul arrives at Ephesus during his 3rd missionary journey. Paul had previously wanted to visit Ephesus but was prevented by the Holy Spirit. His arrival marks a significant step in the spread of Christianity.
This city was a major center for commerce and culture in the Roman Empire. It was prime real estate for sharing the Gospel and it became a crucial location for the early church.
Upon reaching Ephesus, the apostle Paul encountered some disciples. This indicates that there were followers of Jesus in the area, although their understanding of the faith was incomplete.
A Disciple is a person who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. An active follower of a movement or philosophy.
In faith, disciples voluntarily choose to follow Jesus and learn from him, but they are not specifically chosen like apostles.
An Apostle is someone specifically chosen by Jesus to spread the gospel. Paul was chosen by Jesus on the road to Damascus.
As followers of Jesus we are all called to be His disciples but we are also called to also make disciples.
I think this part of the ministry can often be overlooked.
We are not just called to live and share the Gospel with others, but to actively be in service of training up others to do the same.
We need to always be on the look out for new disciples.
A crucial element in the expansion of the church is Finding Disciples.
Point #1 – Finding Disciples
Bridge Point, Application
Part of our routine as a Christian is to disciple others in such a way that they too become disciples and so on and so forth.
This is how the early church experienced massive growth, having followers filled with and led by the Holy Spirit, seeking every opportunity to share the Gospel and make disciples of others.
Paul leads us by example. He arrives in a new town with the goal of spreading the Gospel.
It’s a big metropolitan city full of trade and commerce. To be most effective, he’s going to need some help.
So the first thing he does is finds fellow believers and engages them to seek an understanding of their knowledge. He’s playing the role and showing us the mindset of a recruiter.
This is how we too can find disciples to grow the ministry, by engaging with others and sharing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ with each other.
Read Scripture (2nd part)
Acts 19:2-5 “[2] he said to them, ”Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.””
Teach Scripture (2nd part)
At the time of this writing, the New Testament scriptures that were available would have included the Gospels and some of the early letters of Paul, such as Romans and Corinthians.
These texts discuss the Holy Spirit’s role and the indwelling of believers, particularly in passages like John 14:26 and Romans 8:9-11, which emphasize the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians.
The early church, including these disciples Paul encountered, would have had access to teachings about the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and empowerment through these scriptures.
This encounter reveals the importance of teaching, the need for sound doctrine and the role of teaching in the growth of the church.
Paul’s mission was not only to ensure that these disciples received a complete understanding of the Gospel but also empowerment to fulfill the work.
Point #2 – Gauging Understanding
Bridge Point, Application
Like Paul, we too must engage with people, even strangers, with active intentions to know if they are born again, to know about their walk with Jesus and to engage them in the knowledge of scripture.
In this example, Paul’s exchange highlights a gap in their understanding of the Christian faith.
His question leads to more engagement, which leads to teaching, understanding and empowerment. An example of iron sharpening iron.
This only occurs when we actively engage others regarding the knowledge of scripture.
Read Scripture (3rd part)
Acts 19:3-6 “[3] And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
[4] Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
[5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
[6] And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”
Teach Scripture (3rd part)
Paul asks them, ”Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” indicating the necessity of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.
The disciples respond that they have not even heard of the Holy Spirit, showing a gap in their understanding of Christian doctrine.
Living in Ephesus, about 600 miles from Jerusalem, they missed the events of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit was given to believers.
This moment sets the stage for Paul to explain the Holy Spirit’s significance and to baptize them in the name of Jesus, leading to their receiving the Holy Spirit.
The disciples mention they were baptized into John’s baptism, which was a baptism of repentance.
Paul clarifies that John’s baptism pointed to Jesus, emphasizing the need for faith in Christ for salvation, not symbolic acts such as water baptism.
He instructs them to be baptized in the name of Jesus, highlighting the significance of proper baptism in the Christian faith.
After being baptized, Paul lays hands on the disciples, and they receive the Holy Spirit.
This event is marked by the disciples speaking in tongues and prophesying, demonstrating the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
The passage illustrates that it is the Holy Spirit that empowers believers for ministry and witness.
Without the empowering of the Holy Spirit, all work would be in vain, it would be works in and of the flesh, through our own performance and on our own authority. It would be of pride and ego. And it might seem to work for a season, but ultimately being rooted in sin, it would fail and it would not bring glory to God.
This emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit in the Christian walk.
Point #3 – The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
Bridge Point, Application
The Holy Spirit teaches and takes us deeper into God’s truth as we live a Christian life.
The moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts. We become baptized with the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit brings new life to believers, making us new creations in Christ (Titus 3:5).
Receiving the Holy Spirit is essential for a complete Christian experience.
It signifies empowerment for ministry, deeper understanding of faith, and the ability to live out the teachings of Jesus.
He guides us into truth, helping us understand Scripture and God’s will (John 16:13).
He intercedes for us, helping us pray according to God’s will (Romans 8:26).
He convicts us of our sin, guiding us towards righteousness (John 16:8).
He comforts us and provides peace during difficult times (John 14:16-27).
Without the Holy Spirit, we lack the fullness of our faith and the transformative power that comes with it.
The Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual maturity, helping us grow in faith and in character.
Read Scripture (4th part)
Acts 19:7-10 “[7] Now the men were about twelve in all.
[8] And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
[9] But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
[10] And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
Teach Scripture (4th part)
Here we learn that the quantity of disciples Paul was shepherding was about 12.
After explaining the significance of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, he baptized them in the name of Jesus, and they received the Holy Spirit, leading to a period of teaching and discussion that lasted for two years, during which many in Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Paul speaks boldly in the synagogue for three months, discussing the kingdom of God and persuading the people.
Some individuals become obstinate, refusing to believe and speaking ill of Paul’s teachings. This leads Paul to leave the synagogue leading to the establishment of a new teaching location.
Paul takes the disciples with him to the lecture hall of Tyrannus, where he continues teaching daily for two years.
As a result of Paul’s faith and the work of the Holy Spirit, all Jews and Greeks in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord, leading to the significant spread of early Christianity.
Point #4 – Proclamation of the Gospel
Bridge Point/Application
Just as the Ephesian disciples were unaware of the Holy Spirit, many today may not fully understand the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Without this understanding there can be no effective proclamation of the gospel.
Today, many people similar to the Ephesian disciples and similar to a period in my life, lack understanding of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in our lives.
This I believe is the difference from a confessed believer and a born-again believer.
It may very well be that the concept of being born again doesn’t fully take root until the Holy Spirit indwells us.
Insufficient teaching or a lack of exposure to sound doctrine hinders this pivotal advancement in persons life.
These verses emphasize the importance of the proper teaching about the Holy Spirit’s role in the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit’s role in the believers transformation. The Holy Spirit’s role in empowering of us to become active stewards of God’s will.
Receiving the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples for ministry just as the same is for every believer today. There can be no effective proclamation of the Gospel without the presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Summary
In summery, these teachings highlight the foundational aspects of Christian faith, including the role of the Holy Spirit, the importance of proper baptism, and the necessity of bold proclamation of the Gospel.
We see Paul leading by example, Finding Disciples, engaging strangers with scripture and Gauging their Understanding so that they might be properly equipped for ministry and empowered by the Holy Spirit, a necessary and foundational aspect of the Christian walk.
Without the baptism of the Holy Ghost, at best, we can only be frauds, where everything would be of our own will and through our own strength, and it would be in vain because it does not glorify God.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit fosters a personal relationship with God, allowing us to experience His presence and guidance.
He seals us and marks us as God’s own and He assures us of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).
And after receiving the Holy Spirit
These verses set the stage for the events that follow, where Paul further instructs the disciples and emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.