Acts 19

1. What is the Historical/Literary Background?

Ephesus

Paul is arriving in Ephesus for the second time but on his third missionary journey.  His first visit to Ephesus seemed to relatively brief as he sailed onto Ceasarea leaving his travel companions in Ephesus (See Acts 18:19).  Upon his second visit, it is interesting to note Paul told the Corinthian believers across the sea that he would tarry in Ephesus because of special opportunity for the Gospel there (see 1 Corinthians 16:8-9).

But now Paul arrives in Ephesus in earnest seeking an opportunity to do a gospel work.  Perhaps a great work was foreshadowed by encountering about twelve men of John the Baptist’s disciples on the coasts of the Roman province of Asia.  When then heard the Gospel, they believed and received the Holy Ghost in Pentecost-style fashion, vv6.

Paul spends three months debating in the synagogues that Jesus is the Christ.  When opposition begins to arise, he removes himself along with those who have believed to a lecture hall where they held daily discussions over a period of two years.  As a sign of God’s witness with Paul’s preaching, God cured diseases and cast out demons from those who came in contact Paul or with handkerchiefs that Paul handled, vv12.

Paul’s time in Ephesus was very profitable in those coming to Christ and honoring His name.  But soon Paul received a vision to depart into Macedonia to which he sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to prepare his coming.  In Paul’s final days in Ephesus, a riot ensued following the complaints of silversmiths who were losing business.  As silversmiths, a great deal of their profit came by crafting idols, but Paul’s ministry had such an impact that it hurt the idol maker’s economy.  They turned their complaints onto Paul and caused a riot that grew into confusion attracting participants who did not know the reason for the uprising, vv32.

After a failed attempted by the believing Jews to quench the tensions, the town-clerk, a man of leadership in the city, was able to speak and return the city to civil order.  Shortly after this, Paul sailed for Macedonia.

2.  Theological Observations/What can we learn about God?

God desires both repentance and faith in Christ as the only means sufficient for salvation.  In the narrative, Paul comes upon twelve men who have taken steps toward God in repentance, however, it was evident that they were not yet born again until they believed on Jesus Christ.  It will not do to simply be sincere with God and hope for the best regarding one’s eternal salvation.  Even if a person who might live in an unreached part of the earth looks up to the stars and inwardly desires God, that person will remain condemned under sin until he or she has placed their faith in Jesus Christ of whom they have not yet heard.

Will God send those to hell who might be sincere but yet never hear about Christ? Is God then unfair or somehow not good?  Such is the motive behind all such questioning. This motive hearkens back to Eve’s reasoning of why God would forbid anything “good” from one’s enjoyment.  God sent these twelve men Paul who was under commandment to preach Christ.  In God’s wisdom, He knew the hearts of these twelve men and left the responsibility to human Paul to bring them the news.  It is God’s work to turn a man’s heart to repentance, and it is our work to bring the message of Christ to every creature.

So then faith towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for salvation.  Paul summarizes that point in the next chapter, see Acts 20:21.

3. Fulfillment in Christ

Repentance towards God prepares one’s heart to receive Christ as Lord and to receive His commands.  Obedience to rules or commands is not given so one may avail himself or herself to salvation, yet it is the direction of a life born in God’s spirit.  If someone has simply received Christ in name only without repentance, there will be no second birth nor the signs of life that should follow, namely obedience. For one who truly receives Christ, receives Him as Lord of their life, whose way is higher and better than our own.  Such a conviction leads to a reasonable conclusion of a lifestyle of repentance.   Simply put, faith in Christ means to believe His way is better than our own or anyone else way, therefore we forsake our way and everyone else’s way to follow His way.

4.  Application

I will not preach the Gospel without a calling to repentance.  Christ’s way is narrowed by the conviction that His way is the better way and so we forsake all other ways.  There is not enough room on the path of Christ to bring along one’s idols or other masters.  Therefore I will not preach a gospel that compromises repentance for the sake of adding the souls of the condemned to the rolls of church membership.