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ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 2 - Reports About Preaching Among the Gentiles and the Foundation of Churches From Antioch to Rome - Through the Ministry of Paul the Apostle, Commissioned by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13 - 28)
D - The Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23 - 21:14)

2. Spiritual Revival in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20)


ACTS 19:1-7
1 It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied. 7 They were about twelve men in all.

It was Paul’s custom during his missionary journeys to call at capital cities and centers of communication and trade, knowing that out of these places the gospel would automatically shine everywhere. Thus he founded churches at Antioch, Iconium, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth. In this long chain of cities and centers stretching between Jerusalem and Rome, Ephesus came to be the connecting link. It had not been, however, wide open to preaching, nor did it have, even at that time, a vigorous church.

When Paul came down from the inner plains of Anatolia he arrived at this beautiful capital on the sea, which contained a theater that seated an estimated 25,000 people. By Roman authorization, Ephesus was self-governed. Its inhabitants were skillful traders. In the midst of Ephesus stood the Temple of the goddess Artemis, the religious center of the city, which brought vast numbers of pilgrims into the city, in groups and individually, from every part of the world.

When Paul came to this metropolis he found twelve men who had embraced the doctrine of John the Baptist. This indicates this city had an international and cultural importance, being a center for different religious currents, as well as the dwelling place for a number of races. Even small doctrines, such as the Baptist’s, had been poured out into it. The followers of the Baptist prepared themselves for the coming of the Christ. They practiced an extensive repentance and humility. They had probably heard from Apollos that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ of God, who died, was buried, resurrected, and finally ascended into heaven. Now they were waiting for his second coming, expecting his appearance night and day.

Paul quickly observed that faith, passionate repentance, a deep penetration into the Holy Bible and mental trust in Jesus are not sufficient. These disciples lacked the Holy Spirit. They wanted to prepare themselves for the coming of Christ through their own righteousness. They did not know the mystery of grace, the essence of our faith. So, likewise, we have to unashamedly confess that many Christians study the gospel, read the Holy Bible, join churches, sincerely repent, learn much about the faith, but have still not yet left the bondage of the law for the freedom of salvation. They are lacking the power of Christ.

Your knowledge of the truths of salvation and your baptism with water do not save you. The Holy Spirit, who comes from the Father and the Son, saves you. The aim of faith is not only religious knowledge, but renewal of the heart, the second birth. The end of Christ’s death is to purify us from sins, so that we may receive everlasting life today, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. So be sure, dear brother, that the aim of the New Testament is not meditation, knowledge, repentance, penitence, godliness, religiosity or studying the life of Jesus. The end of salvation is our filling with the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of the meek, humble and gentle Christ.

Paul asked these twelve men frankly: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed in Christ?” Similarly, we ask you personally: “Did you really receive the Holy Spirit, or are you still dead in your sins?” Do not try to escape this question. Stop, look at yourself, and confess your need. Kneel down, commit yourself completely to the living Jesus, and be united with Him by faith in His promises. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be a witness to Him, not to yourself, but to Him who purchased you to be His own with His precious blood.

The twelve men at Ephesus came to the fullness of faith, through baptism in the name of Jesus and the laying on of Paul’s hands. The power of God flowed into the repentant, and they were filled with the Spirit of the Lord. We say to you if you have already been baptized, it is not necessary to be baptized again, but take firm hold of your baptism, and believe what the Living Lord has promised you personally by His Holy Spirit. He gives you, according to your faith, your sincere and persistent requests. Christ himself is willing to fill you with His virtue, so that you may live forever. Jesus clearly said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” So ask your Lord to pour out the Holy Spirit in you. God will dwell in your heart, and your body will become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Your heart will be filled with pure love, your tongue will become fluent, and you will be added to the contingent of worshipful singers scattered throughout the continents of this earth. The praise of God flowing from hearts that have been touched with the Spirit is the clear sign of the redeemed. Do your friends and relatives hear you give thanks for salvation? Do you love your Lord? Do you thank Him continuously? All your words will be transformed if the Spirit continues in you. Then you will not glorify yourself, but God, and you will not testify of your power, but magnify Christ, your Savior. All the bad words will disappear and the lying will pass away, for the Spirit of the Lord will create a new heart in you, give you a new tongue, and make you a new creation.

Besides praise and exaltation, the second fruit of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your heart will be the recognition of the mysteries of God. You will suddenly recognize that God is your Father. No one can say that the eternal Creator and the Almighty is his Father. It is impossible to think that God has children bodily. But those who are born of the Holy Spirit know spontaneously that they are not only people of flesh and blood. They realize that because of the death of Christ they have also received adoption, as sons of God. The essence of God came into them by grace. When the Holy Spirit entered their lives they came to understand their hearts and the evil in all men. Christ’s triumph shined through all the darkness in them, giving an assurance of justification. Since the power given to us becomes a guarantee of the everlasting, imperishable and triumphant glory to come, we can prophecy that the kingdom of God will arrive with certainty and prevail completely.

We ask you once again: “Have you received the Holy Spirit? Do you praise God, your Father, and glorify Christ, your Savior, with all your heart, and with all your behavior? Are you certain of the fatherhood of God? Are you expecting the second coming of Christ?” If you are, then we can assure you that you are of those who are born of the Holy Spirit, and are one with us, through brokenness of heart, love, and joy.

PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we worship You joyfully, for You redeemed us by Your beloved Son from all our malice, forgave us all our sins, purified our consciences with the blood of Christ, and filled us with Your pure and gentle Holy Spirit. Anoint all young men and girls who seek You wholeheartedly, and fill them with your power. No one can take your Spirit from them. We believe in Your grace, in Your work, and in the flow of Your salvation. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

QUESTION:

  1. How did the men in Ephesus receive the Holy Spirit? How can you receive this blessed Spirit?

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