In today’s study our titles are; Verses 1-23 Paul at Ephesus. Verses 24-41 Demetrias causes trouble at Ephesus. Acts 19 will cover some important information on Baptism and how the Kenites have infiltrated the churches. Acts 19 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 19:1] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
These are the disciples of John the Baptist. Remember they were sent out before Jesus had come. Paul is going to bring fellow laborers into one accord. All of the disciples of the LORD should have one mind in the Word of God, something I think our churches today are lacking. Let’s go to 1Corinthians 1 and verse 10 reads.
1Cor.1:10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
[11] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
[12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[13] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
[14] I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
[15] Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
It is so important that all worship God as one body, in Christ, in the Word. Back to Acts 19 and verse 2 reads.
Acts 19:2] 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.
I know it doesn’t matter to most, but to me, Ghost should have been translated as Spirit. These disciples said they had not heard of the Holy Spirit being with the flesh. But that you know only the LORD can open eyes to his Word, let’s go to 1Samuel 3 and verse 7 reads.
1Sam.3:7] Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
Samuel was the last Judge for Israel, and continued as a servant of God for the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. Back to Acts 19 and verse 3 reads.
Acts 19:3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
I believe this is why Paul said in 1Corinthians 1:14 I thank God I baptized none of you. It just sounds bad when you hear a man’s name tied to your baptism. Apollos was also a disciple of John, and in the last chapter (18:25) said the same thing as these said.
Acts 19:4] 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.
Now they know that the Christ has come. Paul has corrected the baptism of John to the baptism of Jesus Christ. Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead as the scriptures had said would happen.
Acts 19:5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
They had been waiting for this moment. Let’s talk about the baptism of John. Let’s go to Matthew 3 and verse 1 reads.
Mat.3:1] In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
[2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
[3] For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
You can find this written in Isaiah 40:1-5.
Mat.3:4] And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
The food and clothing of a prophet.
Mat.3:5] Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
[6] And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Repentance before being baptized is required.
Mat.3:7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
The Kenites will always show up as we have been learning in these last few chapters of Acts.
Mat.3:8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
[9] And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
[10] And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Talking to the Kenites, John the Baptist said forgiveness of sins is able even unto you Kenites upon repentance.
Mat.3:11] I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
This shows what John the Baptist’s disciples had been waiting for, to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Back to Acts 19 and verse 6 reads.
Acts 19:6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
They too received the Holy Spirit and spoke in the Pentecost tongue, a cloven tongue that all people understood in their own language.
Acts 19:7] And all the men were about twelve.
Now we have another twelve, kind of interesting that John would have twelve disciples that he would send out also. given the Holy Spirit as the twelve disciples of Jesus were given, the ministry of Jesus Christ is growing with power.
Acts 19:8] 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.
Here we have Paul teaching what the Old Testament had to say about Jesus. Notice he had to persuade them of what was written in God’s word. Some will believe and some will not.
Acts 19:9] 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.
This word Divers is G5100 and means; some or any person or object. 1. a certain, a certain one. It is an enclitic indefinite pronoun. What we have here is the Kenites, they will always interfere with the Truth of God’s Word being spoken publicly. Then Paul took the twelve away from them and taught in the school. Separating these twelve from the Kenites that opposed them. We have many places in God’s Word where this is spoken of, but nowhere is it spoken better than Peter in 2Peter 2 and verse 1 reads.
2Pet.2:1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
[2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
[3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
The LORD will burn them as chaff. Back to Acts 19 and verse 10 reads.
Acts 19:10] 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.
Teaching both to Judah and to the Gentiles. Let’s go to Acts 20 and verse 29 reads.
Acts 20:29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
[31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
[32] And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Those sanctified are his Elect. The Kenites will come into churches and will try to drive the just from the Word of God. Back to Acts 19 and verse 11 reads.
Acts 19:11] And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
[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.
He healed and cast out evil spirits in the name of Jesus Christ. Let’s go back to Acts 14 and verse 3 reads.
Acts 14:3] Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
[4] But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Remember whenever you are teaching the Truth, that is God’s Word, Kenites will always interfere with the Word being taught in the churches. Jesus taught us in Mark 16 what to expect, and what exactly our jobs are. Let’s go to Mark 16 and verse 16 reads.
Mark 16:16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
This taking up serpents simply means; They that are evil cannot hurt you, or your reputation.
Mark 16:19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
[20] And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Confirming the Word of God to all, but not all will hear the Word of God. Just plant the seed, and remember only God can make it grow. Back to Acts 19 and verse 13 reads.
Acts 19:13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Check out this word Vagabond, let’s go to Genesis and see after Cain murdered Abel, what the LORD said to Cain. Genesis 4 and verse 8 reads.
Gen.4:8] And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Making Cain the first murderer in God’s Word. His offspring are called Kenites.
Gen.4:9] And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
[10] And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Abel’s blood cries from the ground, all that would have been born from his loins.
Gen.4:11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
[12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
[13] And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
[14] Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
[15] And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Now we can understand better Jesus’s teachings of the Tares in the field. (Mat.13) Let them alone until the angels, who are the reapers, gather them up and throw them on the fire at the seventh trump. We are talking about Cain’s offspring, the Kenites who are with us even until today. Do not become a murderer liken unto them. Back to Acts 19 and verse 14 reads.
Acts 19:14] And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
These seven sons were exorcists and their father Sceva was also an exorcist. Kind of a father, son thing they had going. Sceva means; lefthanded. (Ears to hear).
Acts 19:15] And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
In other words, I don’t know you. This man didn’t know Jesus, but the evil spirit did. The evil spirit knew that this man had no power over him. He didn’t use the name of the Lord. This is going to hurt them. Remember what the evil spirits said to Jesus in Matthew 8 and verse 29 reads.
Mat.8:29] And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
The evil spirits fear Jesus, in his name we also can send them back to the Father. Let’s go to Luke where Jesus gave us power over all evil spirits, Luke 10 and verse 19 reads.
Luke 10:19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
But never forget Luke 11 and verse 24 reads.
Luke 11:24] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
[25] And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
[26] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Now let’s go to James 2 and verse 19 reads.
James 2:19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Know what you are doing or you can make a person worse off if you don’t fill that person with the Word of God, Jesus Christ. Back to Acts 19 and verse 16 reads.
Acts 19:16] And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
They got their embarrassment kicked. Let’s go to Jude and read how Michael handled talking with Satan, when they were disputing about the bones of Moses. Jude 1 and verse 9 reads.
Jude 1:9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
This is how we deal with evil spirits. It is best to rebuke them in the name of Jesus Christ. and send them back to the Father from whence they come. Back to Acts 19 and verse 17 reads.
Acts 19:17] And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
An example of how God uses evil for good.
Acts 19:18] And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
[19] Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Burned all the evil books and the glory of the LORD prevailed. The curious arts are witchcraft.
Acts 19:20] So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Now, we have the Word of God prevailing.
Acts 19:21] After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
We see here that Paul already knew he was going to Rome. Let’s go to Acts 23 and verse 11 reads.
Acts 23:11] And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Back to Acts 19 and verse 22 reads.
Acts 19:22] So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
Erastus, which means Beloved, was the chamberlain or rather the public treasurer, of Corinth. He is only mentioned twice more in the bible, let’s go to Romans 16 and verse 23 reads.
Romans 16:23] Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
And in 2Timothy 4 and verse 20 reads.
2Tim.4:20] Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Erastus was another great servant to the LORD. Back to Acts 19 and verse 23 reads.
Acts 19:23] And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
Meaning there was a big stir.
Acts 19:24] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
Worshipping Diana is no different than worshipping Ishtar, which being transliterated, is Easter.
Acts 19:25] Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
These people are losing money because the Word of God has been received by the Gentiles in this area.
Acts 19:26] Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
Let’s go to Psalms 115 and verse 3 reads.
Psa.115:3] But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
[4] Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
[5] They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
[6] They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
[7] They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
[8] They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
[9] O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
The LORD is our gospel armor. Jesus is the Living Word. Let’s go to Jeremiah 10 and verse 2 reads.
Jer.10:2] Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
[3] For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
[4] They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
[5] They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
Being Christians and having the Word of God is one thing, but think of the Gentiles who have come to Christ and do believe. Back to Acts 19 and verse 27 reads.
Acts 19:27] So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
Let’s take a minute here, does this sound familiar? Our politics of today has everyone at odds who do not believe the way they do. God teaches us to be individuals, and as individuals we will be judged. These people who worshipped Diana, mostly these that made the idols and prospered off the sales, could not handle a different belief. Though not all believed the way they did. Afterall, many people lived there that had different beliefs. They were just mad because now they were losing money, and this should tell you something, what were the Jews in that place teaching? It certainly was not the Word of God.
Acts 19:28] And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
[29] And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
[30] And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
Paul was about to rush in and protect his companions, but his disciples held him back.
Acts 19:31] And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
[32] Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Confusion is Babel, Babylon. No one knew what was happening, they just came together in a rage.
Acts.19:33] And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
[34] But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
[35] And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
If you believe in Diana, then what is your problem if a Jew doesn’t, don’t all Jews believe differently than we do and always have?
Acts 19:36] Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
[37] For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
[38] Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
If Demetrius has a legal problem, then let him take it up in the courts.
Acts 19:39] But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
[40] For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
He is telling them to keep the commotion down or the Roman army will come and we would have to explain to them. The Romans do not believe in religion, they think it is superstition. And being under Roman rule, they would hurt only the Ephesians that riot.
Acts 19:41] And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
This man was smart enough to dismiss the gathering of a mob. The silver smith was angry that he was losing money, but what was the crowd upset about? See how easy it is for Satan to get into a crowd and have them gnashing their teeth. But God interfered and protected his children. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible