Corinthians baptised in the Spirit1While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took the inland route to Ephesus.2There he found a group of disciples to whom he put the question: "When you believed, did you receive the Holy Spirit?" "No," they replied, "We have not heard anything about the Holy Spirit."3So Paul then asked them: "Then what baptism have you received?" "John's baptism," they replied.4Paul explained: "John's baptism was for repentance. But he made it clear to people that they were to believe in the One who was to come after him, Jesus."5On realising this, they were baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus.6-7Then Paul laid his hands on them, praying for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. When he did so, all twelve spoke in tongues and prophesied.8Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue for three months, arguing persuasively about God's Kingdom.9But some of the Jews obstinately refused to believe and openly insulted the Way. So, together with those who had become disciples, Paul left the synagogue and began daily meetings in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.10They continued to meet there for two years, enabling both Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia to hear the Lord's Word.God works miracles through Paul11God worked amazing miracles through Paul.12When handkerchiefs or cloths that he had touched were laid on the sick they were healed of their diseases and set free from demonic oppression.13Some Jewish teachers who travelled from place to place tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to drive out evil spirits. They said such things as, "In the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out."14The seven sons of Sceva, the Jewish chief priest, tried this.15One day an evil spirit answered back, "Jesus I know and Paul I know about, but who are you to command me?"16Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them and overpowered all seven. They were attacked so violently that they fled naked from the house with their wounds bleeding.Fear of God grips people of Ephesus17When both the Jews and Greeks who lived in Ephesus heard of this, the fear of God came on them and they highly honoured the name of the Lord Jesus.18As a result, many of the believers were moved to confess their sins openly.19Those who had been involved with occult practices brought their books of so-called magic and burned them publicly. The scrolls that were destroyed were reckoned to be worth a fortune.20So God's Word was spread more and more widely and became increasingly influential and powerful in its effect.21Later, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, taking the route through Macedonia and Asia. "After I have been to Jerusalem, I must visit Rome," he said.22He sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia while he spent a further short period in Asia.Idol maker stirs riot against Paul23It was around this time that a great controversy arose concerning the Way.24Demetrius was a silversmith who made silver shrines of the goddess Artemis, a business that involved several craftsmen.25He called them and workers in other related trades together and said: "Fellow workers, you know we prosper financially from this business.26But you have both seen for yourselves and have heard how this man Paul has persuaded large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in nearly the whole province of Asia to depart from the worship of the gods. He says that man-made gods are not gods at all.27Our trade is in great danger and will lose its good reputation. Even the temple of the great goddess Artemis will become discredited and the goddess herself, who is worshipped not only in Asia but throughout the world, will be robbed of her divine honour."28These words so angered them that they began shouting: "Artemis of the Ephesians is great!"29It was not long before the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, who had travelled with Paul from Macedonia, and dragged them to the theatre.30Paul wanted to address the crowd but the other disciples wouldn't allow him to do so.31Even some of their provincial officials, as well as their friends, sent Paul a message imploring him not to go near the theatre.32The crowd there was in complete confusion, shouting contradictory things. Most did not even know why they were there.33The Jews pushed Alexander forward to be their spokesman, wanting him to explain their position. He called for silence so that he could defend their cause.34But when the crowd realised he was a Jew, they shouted for two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"35Finally the city clerk managed to quieten the crowd and said: "People of Ephesus, the whole world knows that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell from heaven.36This fact is undeniable; so you ought to be quiet and not take matters into your own hands.37These men who have been brought here have neither robbed our temples nor have they blasphemed our goddess.38"So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have some charge to bring against anyone, the courts are available and there are proconsuls to judge such matters. That is the right way to press charges.39If there are any other matters of dispute they must be settled according to our legal system.40As it is, we are in danger of being charged ourselves. Because of what has happened today we could be charged with causing a riot. If that was the case we could give no adequate explanation for all this commotion, for there is no reason for it."41He then dismissed the crowd.
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)