Acts 19:1-20 SO MIGHTILY GREW THE WORD OF THE LORD The work of God grows and prospers when those who are engaged in it keep before them the vision of the world of people in the darkness of sin. The whole world needs to hear the Gospel. Those who are sent out by the Holy Spirit need to press on with the work to which they have been called. Paul was such a man. He knew what he was supposed to do and did it. He moved from place to place until God instructed him to stay in one place for a period of time. Ephesus was the city he stayed in longer than other places. During the three years he was in Ephesus with a group of brothers with him, not only did they see a good work done there, but also six other assemblies were established in the surrounding area.
While Paul was gone, Priscilla and Aquila quietly did the work they were called to do in the way God intended. Apollos also had come to understand, through them, the way of salvation more perfectly. He did not try to be anything other than what he was - a learner. When Paul came back to Ephesus, his apostolic discernment enabled him to see that some righteous-living disciples of John were not true Christians. The power of the word of God was seen in correction as those twelve or so men learned, that beyond repentance, there must be faith in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ personally. It is not enough to know the Messiah is coming. They must know Him personally to have everlasting life. These sincere men when they heard the Gospel, were saved by God's grace and testified to this in believer's baptism. Infant baptism is not scriptural no matter how many so-called Christian denominations practice it. It has been a great deception to millions of people. Baptism by immersion for salvation also has led people to believe the act is what saved them rather than the Savior Himself. To be identified with the Lord Jesus Christ is the reason for baptism by immersion. The death, burial and resurrection of Christ is testified to by believer's baptism, and newness of life is the evidence of the reality of professed faith. If there is no evidence of a new creation and a new walk with the Lord, even that baptism has no meaning and no reality. If such a person later comes to Christ and is truly born again, they must be baptized as a believer, even though they went through the form before.
There is evidence of new life when the Holy Spirit indwells a believer in Christ. The evidence in these twelve men came about when Paul used his apostolic authority to testify of this fact. The fact that they spoke in tongues is not something to be dismissed out of hand as something not real, nor is it something that must be copied today. The Holy Spirit is sovereign and can manifest Himself as He chooses. We now have the whole written Word of God and can read about, and discern, evidence of the filling of the Spirit in a believer by reading the written words of Paul to these very people in his letter to the Ephesians.
The power of the Word in conversion was evident as Paul reasoned with and persuaded people to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and follow "The Way" in the local synagogue. His preaching of the kingdom of God would have been more inclusive than the future coming kingdom, or they would have gladly welcomed such a hopeful message. The preaching of the kingdom of God is not just "meat and drink," as it relates to the dos and don'ts of Judaism. It has to do with "righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." The Person of the Lord Jesus Christ is the coming King of the kingdom and people must know Him to be in that place of blessing. It has been said, "The same sun that melts the snow, hardens the clay," and that is easily seen when the Word of God is preached today. When first hearing the Gospel, some will say right away that is what is needed here. But when the truth of it begins to take root in the consciences of those same people, they turn against the message first, and then those who preach the clear Gospel. It happened to Paul, and it will happen to us.
In Ephesus Paul was able to find another place to preach daily the word of the Lord Jesus and "The Way." He was a remarkable man in so many ways. He worked daily at tent-making to support himself and others. He was daily preaching the Word of God in a way to defend and promote "the faith as it is in Christ Jesus." He shepherded the new converts in Ephesus "with tears" because he was so involved in their lives. He led a team fellow-workers by guiding and instructing Timotheus, Erastus, Gaius, Aristarchus, two brethren from Thessalonica, Titus, Tychicus and Trophimus. Through them and with them, six other assemblies were formed in that area. They are referred to as "the seven churches of Asia." He ministered with his words, with his heart, with his mind and with his own "hands."
When God works in miraculous ways, Satan will seek to oppose in whatever way possible. The very clothes that Paul wore when working at his task of tent-making were taken by people to those in bondage to the powers of darkness, and to those who were sick - and God healed them. This testimony of God was used to convince people of the power of the Word of God in conviction. Traveling deceivers were making a living by deception using the names of various gods and now were adding the name of the Lord Jesus to that diabolical list. That must never be. To use the name of the Lord Jesus has no power unless it is by the authority and power of the living Lord Jesus Christ Himself. That authority only comes from God - not even from Paul. Even those linked with a priesthood have no jurisdiction over the work of God. People use the name of Jesus today as a way to deceive and demean. They use His blessed name to make money for themselves by deceiving people with fake healings and unusual phenomena that does not come from God.
The reality of power and victory over the powers of darkness cannot be faked. There are serious consequences when people seek out the mysterious powers of Satan through occult practices, books, games and things like tarot cards, crystals, crystal balls and such like. A believer needs to remain as far removed from those things as possible. A trap was set by evil spirits in Ephesus to try to stop the work of God and deceive people. Satanic practices still go on today with the same objective - to stop the work of God. When the word of God was magnified, then hearers believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, they confessed Him publicly, they showed what they had been delivered from and who they were now. Those things that deceived them before were dealt with by not only abandoning the practices they had before, but making sure they were destroyed so no one else would be deceived by them.
Reality is seen in the attitude as well as the lives of new believers in Christ. They will not try to justify the sins of their past life. Whatever can be done to correct the damage caused by sin will be done. We begin with God where He saves us and go on for Him from there in our new life in Christ. We can correct what needs to be corrected. The rest of the consequences of sins committed before salvation, we must leave in God's hands trusting His word that "the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin."
The Word of God grew mightily in that part of Asia and especially we are reminded of Ephesus because there was a man who was sold out to his Lord in every part of his life. He used his hands to meet his own needs and the needs of others. He used his intellect and education to clearly teach others who were seekers for the truth of God. His emotions were used to warn God's people of the dangers of the world, the flesh and the devil - and of the blessings of being a child of God. He used the leadership skills he had to guide and encourage others to engage in the work of the Lord effectively. He used his writing skills directed by the Holy Spirit to minister to those in far-away Corinth and other places as well - even here - and now. He knew who he was, why he was here, and what he was supposed to be doing. It may be if we learn from this faithful man, and man of faith, that the Word of God might again be mightily used where we are.
Were they super-men in those days or were they people just like us? It seems like they were special, but maybe they had truly learned to trust The Lord who called and led them by the Spirit now within. They seemed to discern so well what was of God and what only of men.
Can it be that God could use me still to do some work for Him? It may not be in some great way or a new work to begin. But if it is possible in some small way His kingdom I promote. Then I would be satisfied even if it is words that I once wrote.
Am I able to be given something so that I can help some others? I really would like to lend assistance to some younger brothers. Paul was able to help and guide other men in their labors. Perhaps some of my work lies right here among my neighbors.
Would I really be willing to go afar and do some work unknown? I think I would be ready if by God's Spirit I am shown Something to do within the realm of my limited capacity - And what a blessing if it would be fruitful for eternity.
What am I waiting for before some movements I will make? I think I should finish here this work before new steps I take. By God's grace and power when the time comes to make a change - I want to go in fellowship with God, and in the power of Jesus' name.
"I learn from Paul's example Father, that not every place and work is to be done the same way. Please give Thy servant the patience needed to do what is needed here, and the wisdom to know when to go farther afield in the work to which I have been called. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."