The Word of God brings clarity and completeness to our understanding of salvation, as seen when Paul encountered the disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus. They had only heard part of the message—repentance and preparation for the Messiah—but had not yet received the full truth of Christ’s death and resurrection. When Paul explained the gospel fully, they were able to receive the Holy Spirit and experience the fullness of God’s promise. This reminds us that partial knowledge is not enough; we must seek the whole counsel of God and allow His Word to lead us into all truth, trusting that the Holy Spirit is given to every believer at the moment of salvation. [37:10]
Acts 19:1-6 (ESV)
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Reflection: Is there an area of your faith where you have settled for partial understanding? What step can you take today to seek the fullness of God’s truth in that area?
When the truth of Christ is proclaimed, it calls for a response of obedience. The disciples in Ephesus, upon hearing the full gospel, were baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Spirit. True faith is always accompanied by action—obedience to God’s commands, such as baptism, is an outward sign of an inward change. Obedience is not about earning salvation, but about publicly identifying with Christ and submitting to His lordship. As we hear God’s Word, let us be quick to obey, demonstrating our faith through our actions and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. [44:09]
Acts 19:5-6 (ESV)
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Reflection: What is one step of obedience God is prompting you to take today, whether public or private, as a response to His Word?
Whenever the Word of God is proclaimed, it will meet both acceptance and resistance. In Ephesus, Paul boldly preached in the synagogue for three months, but eventually, some hearts were hardened and opposition arose. The same message that softens one heart can harden another, depending on the response. The Word of God is powerful, but it demands a decision—will we allow it to soften and change us, or will we resist and become hardened? The difference lies in our attitude and willingness to receive the truth. [50:50]
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (ESV)
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Reflection: When you encounter a challenging truth from God’s Word, do you tend to resist or receive it? How can you cultivate a heart that is soft and responsive to God today?
The power of God’s Word brings conviction, leading people to confess and forsake their sinful practices. In Ephesus, many who practiced magic arts publicly confessed their deeds and burned their books, demonstrating genuine repentance and a decisive break from their past. True repentance is not just feeling sorry, but turning away from sin and making choices that prevent returning to old ways. God is eager to forgive and abundantly pardon those who come to Him with a repentant heart, and He calls us to forsake anything that hinders our walk with Him. [01:07:42]
Isaiah 55:7 (ESV)
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Reflection: Is there a habit, possession, or relationship you need to decisively forsake in order to follow Christ more fully? What would it look like to “burn the bridges” to your old life today?
Despite opposition, counterfeits, and spiritual warfare, the Word of God grows mightily and prevails. In Ephesus, a city filled with paganism and demonic activity, the gospel spread rapidly, transforming lives and communities. The power of God’s Word is greater than any force of darkness, and as believers multiply and share the message, entire regions can be changed. We are reminded that spiritual warfare is real, but the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. Let us trust in the prevailing power of God’s Word and boldly proclaim it, knowing that it will accomplish what God intends. [01:11:46]
Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Reflection: Where do you see spiritual darkness or opposition in your community or family? How can you actively pray for and share God’s Word to see His light prevail in those places?
When we look at the story of Ephesus in Acts 19, we see a city transformed by the power of God’s word. Ephesus was a place filled with spiritual darkness, pagan worship, and demonic activity, yet it became a center for the gospel’s advance. The passage reminds us that where God’s word dominates, Satan is defeated. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was marked by bold proclamation, daily teaching, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit’s power rather than human methods or formulas. The gospel spread not just through Paul, but through multiplying disciples who carried the message throughout Asia Minor, leading to the birth of many churches.
The Holy Spirit’s work is central. When people truly believe in Christ, they receive the Holy Spirit—not as a “second blessing” but as the very seal of salvation. The question is not how much of the Spirit we have, but how much of us the Spirit possesses. The Spirit transforms, convicts, empowers, and always points us to Christ. We are called to be filled continually, allowing Him to guide and change us.
Obedience to God’s word is the natural response to truth. The disciples of John, upon hearing the full gospel, were baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Spirit. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change, a public declaration of allegiance to Christ. Yet, wherever the word is proclaimed, there will be resistance. Some hearts are softened, others are hardened. The same sun that melts wax hardens clay; our response to God’s word determines its effect in our lives.
God’s power is not to be manipulated or counterfeited. The story of the sons of Sceva shows that invoking Jesus’ name without relationship or submission is empty and even dangerous. The name of Jesus is not a magic formula; it is to be revered, honored, and magnified. True spiritual authority comes from knowing Christ, not from religious rituals.
Finally, true repentance is marked by forsaking sin. The Ephesians burned their books of magic, making a costly and public break with their past. Repentance is not just confession but a turning away, a forsaking of old ways. The word of God grew mightily and prevailed in Ephesus, and it can do the same in our city and in our lives if we yield to its authority, honor Christ, and walk in the Spirit.
Acts 19:1-20 (ESV) — 1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.
2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.
15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.
18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.
19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
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