The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus
(Joel 2:28-32; John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Acts 2:1-13; Acts 10:44-48)

1Now it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper partsa to come to Ephesus, and having found certain disciples, 2he also said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit, having believed?”

And they said to him, “But not even did we hear that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?”

And they said, “Into the baptism of John.”

4Then Paul said, “John baptized a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

5And having heard, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And of Paul having laid the hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they were speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7And there were in all about twelve men.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus
(Revelation 2:1-7)

8And having entered into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them concerning the kingdom of God. 9But when some were hardened and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, having departed from them, he took the disciples separately, reasoning every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10And this continued for two years, so that all those inhabiting Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

11And God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs or aprons from his skin were brought to the ailing, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits left.

The Sons of Sceva

13Now some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, also attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those having evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” 14And seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. 15But the evil spirit answering, said to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; but you, who are you?” 16And the man in whom was the evil spirit, having leapt on them, having overpowered them all, prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17Now this became known to all those inhabiting Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18And many of those having believed were coming, confessing and declaring their deeds, 19and many of those having practiced the magic arts, having brought the books, burned them before all. And they counted up the prices of them and found it five myriads of silverlings.b 20Thus the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail with might.

The Riot in Ephesus

21Now after these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, having said, “After my having been there, it behooves me to see Rome also.” 22And having sent two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he remained for a time in Asia.

23Now at the same time no small disturbance arose concerning the Way. 24For a certain silversmith named Demetrius, making silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen, 25whom having brought together along with the workmen in such things, he said, “Men, you know that from this business is our wealth. 26And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost all of Asia, this Paul, having persuaded them, has turned away a great many people, saying that they are not gods which have been made by hands. 27Now not only is this business to us endangered to come into disrepute, but also for the temple of the great goddess Artemis to be reckoned for nothing, and also her majesty to be deposed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28And having heard, and having become full of rage, they were crying out saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.” 29And the whole city was filled with confusion, and with one accord they rushed to the theatre, having dragged off Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow travelers of Paul.

30But of Paul intending to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31And also some of the Asiarchs being friends to him, having sent to him, were urging him not to venture into the theatre.

32So some indeed were crying out one thing; others another. For the assembly was confused, and most did not know for what cause they were assembled. 33Now out of the crowd they put forward Alexander, the Jews having thrust him forward. And Alexander, having motioned with the hand, was wanting to make a defense to the people. 34But having recognized that he is a Jew, there was one cry from all, ongoing about two hours, crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”

35Then having calmed the crowd, the town clerk says, “Men, Ephesians, what man is there indeed who does not know the city of the Ephesians as being temple-keeper of the great Artemis, and of that fallen from the sky? 36Therefore these things being undeniable, it is necessary for you to be calm and to do nothing rash. 37For you brought these men, neither temple plunderers nor blaspheming our goddess.

38So if indeed Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a matter against anyone, courts are conducted, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. 39But if you inquire anything beyond this, it will be solved in the lawful assembly. 40And indeed, we are in danger of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there existing not one cause concerning which we will be able to give a reason for this commotion.”

41And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.