Acts 19 reminds me of motorcycle helmet laws. Some flaunt the requirements by wearing novelty gear that technically covers the head, but offers no real protection. These riders claim the laws are an infringement on their freedom. I can tell you from personal experience that a quality helmet can save your life. Today’s lesson is about the Spirit of the Law. We begin with the apostle Paul entering Ephesus. He asked the disciples “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Looking puzzled, they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit”. They only knew of John’s “baptism of repentance”. John was a forerunner, preparing the way for the Redeemer. Restoring relationships begins with seeking forgiveness, but words are worthless without change. Paul baptized them “in the name of the Lord Jesus”. And “the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied”. This is not a one-size fits all process. His Spirit brings unity with God, and with one other, but our joy can be expressed in many ways. Paul also taught them of God’s grace. “Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months”. While I am sure many more heard and believed, others became “obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way”. Some are satisfied checking the legal boxes of obligation, believing they have met the requirement, but they have no real assurance of salvation. So “Paul left them” and began having daily discussions in the public hall. He taught for two years, until “all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province… heard the word of the Lord… God did extraordinary miracles through Paul”. Faith is not for display purposes, it must be put into use.
There are real dangers with cheap replicas. Some observed Paul and tried to imitate his miracles, by using the name of Jesus as a magic phrase. We read that when the sons of the Jewish High Priest attempted to cast out a demon, the evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” They were beaten by the possessed man and barely escaped with their lives. After that, “the Name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor” by Jews and Greeks alike. Some who had practiced sorcery realized they were on a dead-end road, and voluntarily “brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly”. Many people symbolically destroy links to the past in order to move forward. Again “the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power”. Do you know His Word and His Spirit?
Before heading back to Jerusalem there was “a great disturbance” among the craftsmen and artisans who “brought in a lot of business” selling silver shrines of the goddess Artemis. They complained, “We receive a good income from this business”, but “this fellow Paul has convinced… the whole province… that gods made by human hands are no gods at all”. Paul’s preaching posed a threat to their livelihood, and “discredited… the goddess herself”. “Soon the whole city was in an uproar” and they seized Paul’s traveling companions and brought them to the public square. As is often the case in large protests, “Most of the people did not even know why they were there”. The Jewish leaders tried to take advantage of the situation, but they were shouted down, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Paul himself was prevented from entering to address the crowd. It was the city clerk that quieted the crowd, warning them of Rome’s prohibition against rioting. “Calm down and not do anything rash… the courts are open”. With that, he dismissed them. Fear can keep us from foolishness. My friend, knowing the law can’t save you. Real freedom comes from knowing the intent of the law. You cannot make yourself righteous; you have full protection only in Christ.