Acts 19:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.

NIV: Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done.

NASB: Also many of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices.

CSB: And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices,

NLT: Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.

KJV: And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

NKJV: And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.

When Paul arrives in Ephesus, he finds a strange mix of interactions with the supernatural. Some people are devout followers of John the Baptist's teaching that to follow God means to repent from sins and resolve to obey Him (Acts 19:1–7). Some are Jewish exorcists who use their religious traditions—and, later, the name of Jesus—to try to control demons (Acts 19:13–17). Others, however, practice witchcraft.

In response, Ephesus seems to be the only city where Paul extensively uses the Holy Spirit's authority to heal and expel demons (Acts 19:11–12). An interaction that leaves seven Jewish exorcists beaten and naked by the hand of a powerful demon makes the people of Ephesus realize Paul has real power. The magicians not only divulge their practices of witchcraft—thus emptying their spells of power—they burn their spell books (Acts 19:19).

This has a secondary effect on the culture that could be found in every Roman city: idol worship. Ephesus was the city of the temple to Artemis, and craftsmen earned a great deal of money by making and selling her idols. As people reject witchcraft and accept Christianity, they also reject Artemis worship. Seeing their livelihood threatened, the craftsmen guild nearly starts a riot. The town clerk settles them down, and Paul leaves quietly (Acts 19:21—20:1). But he writes the church in Ephesus a letter, further encouraging them to stand strong amidst spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12).

Acts 19:11–20 gives the account of the Sons of Sceva in Ephesus. Witchcraft was endemic in Ephesus, and itinerant Jewish exorcists took advantage of the corresponding demonic activity. Paul has been healing and expelling demons in Jesus' name. But when the sons of Sceva attempt to use his faith in Christ as a formula, the demon beats them up. The people see how Paul has access to real power that can free them, and they abandon their magic and follow Jesus—much to the dismay of the guild that makes and sells idols of Artemis (Acts 19:23–27).

Acts 19 recounts Paul's three-year visit in Ephesus. He starts by revealing how Jesus of Nazareth has brought to life the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit validates Paul's message by healing those struck with physical ailments and demon possession. Amazed by Paul's authority over evil spirits, so many magicians turn to Christ that the craftsmen who make idols fear for their livelihoods. They nearly incite a riot before the town clerk settles them down. Paul realizes his time in Ephesus has ended, and he travels to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

Acts 19 is the meat of Paul's third missionary voyage. He has already revisited the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now he returns to Ephesus for a three-year stay. After firmly establishing the church there, rescuing many from pagan magic and the worship of Artemis, he returns to Macedonia and Greece. A threat on his life sends him back up to Macedonia and across to Troas. He meets briefly with the Ephesian elders to tell them they will not meet again (Acts 20). When he returns to Jerusalem, he is arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.