The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus
(Acts 10:44–48)

1And it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper districts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples; 2and he said to them, "Did ye receive the Holy Spirit, after having believed?" And they said to him, "Nay, we did not even hear whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3And he said, "Into what, then, were ye immersed?" And they said, "Into John's immersion." 4And Paul said, "John immersed with an immersion of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him coming after him; that is, on Jesus." 5And, having heard this, they were immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus; 6and, Paul having laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they were speaking with tongues, and prophesying. 7And all the men were about twelve.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus
(Ephesians 1:1–2; Revelation 2:1–7)

8And, entering into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the Kingdom of God. 9But, when some were hardening themselves and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he, withdrawing from them, separated the disciples; reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10And this continued for two years; so that all those dwelling in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

11And God kept performing special miracles through the hands of Paul; 12So that there were even carried from his body to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.

Seven Sons of Sceva

13But some also of the wandering Jews, exorcists, attempted to name over those having evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches." 14Now there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish high priest, who did this. 15And the evil spirit, answering, said to them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I understand; but who are ye?" 16And the man in whom was the evil spirit, leaping upon them, and, overcoming them both, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who were dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18Many also of those who had believed were coming, confessing, and declaring their practices. 19A considerable number, moreover, of those who had practiced the curious arts, having brought together the books, were burning them in the presence of all; and they counted the prices of them, and found them fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.

The Riot in Ephesus

21Now, when these things were ended, Paul purposed in his spirit, after passing through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem; saying, "After I have been there, I must see Rome also." 22And, having sent into Macedonia two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself remained for a time in Asia.

23And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 24For a certain one, Demetrius by name, a silver-smith, making silver shrines of Diana, was bringing to the artisans no small business; 25gathering whom together, and the workmen of like occupation, be said, "Men, ye know that out of this business we have our wealth. 26And ye perceive and hear that, not only at Ephesus, but almost in all Asia, this Paul, having persuaded, turned away a great multitude, saying, that they are not gods that are made with hands. 27And not only is there danger to us that this branch of our business will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be reckoned of no account, and also her magnificence will be destroyed, whom all Asia and the inhabited earth worship."

28And, hearing this, and becoming full of wrath, they were crying aloud, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 29And the city was filled with the confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus?Macedonians?fellow-travelers of Paul. 30And, Paul purposing to enter in unto the people, the disciples were not permitting him. 31And some also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, sending to him, were beseeching him not to venture himself into the theater. 32Some, therefore, were crying one thing, and some another; for the assembly had become confused, and the greater part knew not for what cause they had come together. 33And they brought Alexander out of the crowd, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander, waving his hand, wished to make defense to the people. 34But, when they perceived that he was a Jew, one voice arose from all, crying aloud for about two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 35But the town-clerk, having quieted the multitude, says, "Men of Ephesus, who, indeed, of men is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image that fell down from Jupiter? 36These things, therefore, being incontrovertible, it is needful that ye be quiet, and do nothing rash. 37For ye brought hither these men, who are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38If, indeed, therefore, Demetrius and the artisans with him have a matter against any one, court-days are held, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. 39But, if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40For, indeed, we are in danger of being accused of riot respecting this day, there existing no cause for it, and regarding which we will be unable to give an account of this concourse." 41And, having thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.