DAILY BIBLE STUDY Saves You-Acts 19

Acts of the Apostles, New Testament, Sermons

“He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus…for two years…” “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power” (Ac 19:9-10, 20).
Ephesus is not just another stop, but it is Paul’s last major place of new mission work as a free man. Ephesus, after Corinth, is the most important city Paul sought to evangelize, for it was the hub of all culture and commerce in western Asia, as the church spread out into the interior, following the Roman roads (Revelation 2-3).
  • How thorough is your knowledge of Scripture (Ac 18:24)?
  • Can you teach about Jesus accurately (Ac 18:25)?
  • Can you explain Christian faith [more] adequately (Ac 18:26)?
    • Is there anything missing, or any gaps in your faith, knowledge and understanding of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit (Ac 19:2)?
  • What do you think you need to be [more] thorough, accurate, adequate, complete (Ac 9:4-6; Mt 7:7-8; Dt 4:29; Jer 29:13; Isa 55:6)?
  1. What did Paul find when he arrived in Ephesus, and how did he respond (Ac 19:1-7)?
  2. What did Paul do in the synagogue in Ephesus (Ac 19:8)? How might some Jews have maligned him (Ac 19:9; 13:44; 16:21; 17:7; 18:13; 21:28; Rom 3:8)? What did he then do (Ac 19:9-10; 18:7)?
  3. What happened as a result of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (Ac 19:11-12; 5:15; Mk 5:27-29)?
  4. What happened when some Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits (Ac 19:13-16; Lk 8:29)?
  5. How did the incident with the Jewish exorcists affect those who practiced sorcery (Ac 19:17-19)? What is the evidence of “the word of the Lord spreading widely” (Ac 19:20; 1:8; 2 Tim 1:7)?
  6. What did Demetrius, a silversmith in Ephesus, do when he saw that Paul’s preaching was affecting his business (Acts 19:23-27)? With what result (Ac 19:28-34)?
  7. How did the city clerk calm the crowd and protect Paul and his companions (Ac 19:35-41)?
  8. What does Acts 19 teach us about the power of the Holy Spirit, the dangers of idolatry and magic, and the importance of standing firm in the face of opposition?
What Bible Study should enable Christians to do:
  1. Adequately/accurately/thoroughly explain the Bible even to those who already know Jesus (Ac 18:24-26).
  2. Teach the Bible daily for years (Ac 19:9-10).
  3. Forsake idolatry (Ac 19:17-19).
  4. Plan for the future (Ac 19:21-22).
  5. Provoke idolaters/challenge idolatry (Ac 19:27-29).
  • AD 47-50: 1st missionary journey (Acts 13-14).
  • AD 50-53: 2nd missionary journey (Acts 16-18). [Acts 15:36–18:22]
  • AD 53-57: 3rd missionary journey (Acts 19-21) [Acts 18:23–21:15]
  • AD 57-62: Imprisonment in Caesarea and Rome (Acts 21:16–28:31)
  • AD 62-65: Through second Roman imprisonment
  • 1st Missionary Journey AD 48-49 — The Door for the Gentiles Opens (13:1-14:28).
  • 2nd Missionary Journey AD 51-53 — Making a 2nd Effort (15:36-18:23).
  • 3rd Missionary Journey/Wave AD 54-57 — The Last Missionary Efforts (18:24-21:26)
  1. Ephesus Part 1: Apollos arrives. (18:24-28). Priscilla, Aquila and  Apollos in Ephesus.
  2. Paul ministers in Ephesus (19:1-20:1).
    1. Ephesus Part 2: The Baptist’s disciples (19:1-7). 12 disciples of John the Baptist become Christians.
    2. 2+ years of ministry in Ephesus (19:8-20). Teaching and mighty works in Asia. Paul’s work in Ephesus. The power of God and the powers at Ephesus.
      1. Ephesus Part 3: Proclaiming to the Jews and Gentiles. From synagogue to lecture hall (19:8-10).
      2. Ephesus Part 4: Miracles, magic and their impact (19:11-20). Some power encounters.
    3. Ephesus Part 5: Riot (19:21-41). Provoking the idolaters. The reaction of paganism in Ephesus. Great is Ephesian Artemis!
      1. Plans to visit Jerusalem (19:21-22). Paul’s future plans.
      2. The riot in Ephesus (19:23-20:1). Riot in the city.
        1. Demetrius and his speech (19:23-28).
        2. The riot erupts (19:29-34).
        3. The city clerk speaks (19:35-40).
        4. The 2 results (19:41-20:1).
    4. Paul’s journey from Ephesus to Miletus (20:1-16).

Seek the Lord with All your Heart (Mt 7:7; Dt 4:29; Jer 29:13; Isa 55:6). [Daily Discipleship for Two Years. The power of the word of God saves you (Ac 19:20).]
  1. “The Bible is the book of my life. It’s the book I live with, the book I live by, the book I want to die by.” – N.T. Wright
  2. “The Scriptures teach us the best way of living, the noblest way of suffering, and the most comfortable way of dying.” – John Flavel
  3. “The Bible is not a book for the faint of heart – it is a book full of all the greed and glory and violence and tenderness and sex and betrayal that benefits mankind. It is not a book to be read in small portions or as a quick nightly before bed. It is a book to be read in its entirety, repeatedly, meditatively, and prayerfully.” – Walter Wangerin Jr.
  4. “The Bible is the only book that tells us how to be saved and how to live saved.” – Vance Havner
  5. “The Bible is a book that has been read more and examined less than any book that ever existed.” – Thomas Paine
  6. “The Bible is a supernatural book, and can be understood only by supernatural aid.” – A.W. Tozer
  7. “The Bible is the Word of God, and as such it speaks with divine authority. It must be read and studied with reverence and humility, and with a sincere desire to learn and obey its teachings.” – J.C. Ryle
  8. “The Bible is the chart by which the course of the Christian is to be steered between the rocks of lawlessness and the sandbars of legalism.” – J.I. Packer
  9. “The Bible is the mirror through which we see ourselves in God’s eyes.” – Warren Wiersbe
  10. “The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.” – Charles C. Ryrie
  11. “The Bible is the book that tells us of the greatest story ever told, the story of Jesus Christ and His redeeming love for mankind.” – Billy Graham

  12. “The Bible is not a book for the faint of heart…It is a book to be wrestled with, struggled with, prayed over, studied, and embraced.” – Rachel Held Evans 
  13. “The Bible is the window through which you may see truth, the door through which you may live it.” – Thomas Guthrie
  14. “The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.” – A.W. Tozer
  15. “The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God, and spiritual nature and needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation.” – Woodrow Wilson
  16. “The Bible is the Word of God: supernatural in origin, eternal in duration, inexpressible in valor, infinite in scope, regenerative in power, infallible in authority, universal in interest, personal in application, inspired in totality.” – Charles Swindoll  
[Acts 19 shows us that the Holy Spirit is the source of power and authority for believers, and that the message of Jesus can transform lives and threaten the powers of darkness. It also warns against the dangers of idolatry and magic, and the need to be prepared to face opposition when preaching the gospel.]
References:
  1. Osborne, Grant. Acts. Verse by Verse. 2019. Mission in Ephesus (18:23-20:1).
  2. Witherington III, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles. A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. 1998. Congregating at Corinth (18:1-23).
  3. Stott, John. The Message of Acts. 1990. Through the Bible through the year, Daily reflections from Genesis to Revelation. 2006. The Apostle to the Gentiles (13:1-21:17). Corinth and Ephesus (18:1-19:41). More about Ephesus (20:1-21:17).
  4. Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. The Pillar NT commentary. 2009. The world in Ephesus: The climax of Paul’s mission as a free man (18:23-20:38). Provoking the idolaters (19:21-40).
  5. Marshall, I. Howard. Acts. Tyndale NT commentaries (TNTC). 1980. Paul’s missionary campaign in Asia (18:18-20:38).
  6. Wright, N.T. Acts for Everyone, Part 2. Chapters 13-28. 2008.
  • “Salvation is not about following a set of rules or rituals. It is about surrendering your life to Jesus Christ and allowing Him to transform you from the inside out.” – Timothy Keller
  • “Salvation is not a result of our own efforts or good deeds. It is a gift from God that we receive by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.” – A.W. Tozer
  • “God’s grace is the key to salvation. It is by His grace alone that we are saved, through faith in Jesus Christ.” – Charles Spurgeon
  • “Salvation is not found in the accumulation of knowledge or good works, but in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” – Billy Graham
  • “Being saved means receiving the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a decision to turn away from sin and follow Him wholeheartedly.” – Max Lucado
  • “Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, but a gift for the guilty.” – Charles Spurgeon
  • “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” – C.S. Lewis
  • “God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.” – Charles Spurgeon
  • “Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty.” – Steve Lawson
  • “Repentance is the inseparable companion of faith.” – R.C. Sproul
  • “Salvation is not found in religion, but in a relationship with Jesus Christ.” – Billy Graham
  • “The power of God is not diminished by our doubts or fears. It remains constant and unwavering, ready to work on our behalf if we place our trust in Him.” – Max Lucado
  • “The power of God is not dependent on human strength or wisdom. It is displayed most profoundly when we humble ourselves before Him and surrender to His divine purposes.” – C.S. Lewis
  • “God’s power is not only to be seen in His creation but also in His redemption. He has the power to transform lives, restore brokenness, and bring hope to the hopeless.” – Charles Stanley
ChatGPT: Acts 19 teaches us several important lessons.
  1. The importance of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of a believer. The disciples in Ephesus had not received the Holy Spirit, but through Paul’s teaching and laying on of hands, they were empowered to speak and act for God. We too need to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power in our lives, to bear witness to Christ and to live a holy and effective life.
  2. The power of the gospel to transform lives and communities, to confront and overcome false beliefs and practices. Paul’s preaching and miracles caused many to turn to Christ and to renounce their sinful and superstitious ways.
  3. True faith and obedience require a radical commitment and a decisive break with the past. The believers in Ephesus burned their magic books, showing their willingness to separate themselves from anything that hindered their relationship with God.
  4. Finally, the name of Jesus is powerful and must be used with reverence and faith. The exorcists who tried to use the name of Jesus without a genuine relationship with Him ended up being humiliated and exposed as frauds.

So, let’s be challenged to seek the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance, to live a life that honors God and bears witness to Christ. Let’s also be encouraged to share the gospel boldly and faithfully, trusting in the power of God to transform lives and communities. Finally, let’s be grateful for the gift of salvation received through faith in Christ, and let’s live our lives in a manner worthy of His calling.

Acts 19:9-10 teaches us several important lessons.
  1. Not everyone will receive the gospel, and some will even oppose it. We should not be discouraged or surprised when this happens, but continue to pray for those who reject the truth.
  2. The importance of discernment and wise use of our time and resources. Paul recognized that arguing with those who were stubborn and unbelieving would not be productive and instead focused his efforts on those who were open to hearing the gospel. As Christians, we need to use discernment and wisdom to discern when to speak and when to be silent, when to engage and when to withdraw.
  3. The power and effectiveness of consistent and faithful teaching and reasoning with those who are open to hearing the truth. Paul spent 2 years teaching daily in the hall of Tyrannus, and as a result, all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord. We need to be committed to sharing the gospel, not just in one-off conversations, but through consistent and faithful teaching and discipleship.
  4. Finally, the gospel is for everyone, regardless of race, culture, or background. Both Jews and Greeks heard the word of the Lord, and we too are called to share the gospel with all people, regardless of their background or social status.

In conclusion, let’s be discerning, wise, and faithful in our witness for Christ. Let’s not be discouraged by rejection or opposition but continue to share the gospel with love, grace, and persistence. May the Lord give us the wisdom, courage, and strength to proclaim His truth and make disciples for His glory.

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