ACTS 19-20

Acts 19:1-7 Note that Paul did not ask any further about their knowledge of the Holy Spirit or who had 

laid hands on them. He immediately knew that their knowledge of Jesus was incomplete. Also, this 

passage assumes that there is not a second act of grace when one receives the Spirit; it happens when 

one believes in Christ.

19:2-6 They received the Holy Spirit when the apostles laid hands on them. The real problem was that 

it is not clear they even knew who Jesus was.

19:11-19 11. Differences in magic and miracle: secret vs. public, selfish vs. unselfish, man-directed vs. 

God-directed, elaborate vs. simple, knowledge vs. faith. Into what category would you put certain 

“name it-claim it” teachings?

13. Jews were in great demand as magicians and exorcists because they could pronounce YHWH 

properly.

Egyptian magic papyrus from 200AD: "I adjure you by the God of the Hebrews, Jesus, Iaba, Iae, 

Abraoth."

14. so-called high priest

18. practices, or spells. Public disclosure rendered them useless.

19:18-20 How does this compare with Christian book-burning practices or the more subtle humanistic 

censorship methods?

“Magic arts” is same word translated as busybody in 1 Timothy 5:13. Magic was very common in 

Ephesus; magic scrolls were commonly called "Ephesian letters."

19:19 Why is the monetary value of the books important? Monetary issues pop up several times in 

these chapters-- see vv. 23-27 with silversmiths, Paul's denial that he had taken any money, and his 

determination to return to Jerusalem to deliver money. It shows proper and improper use of money.

19:20-21 There may be a gap of several years between these verses during which time Paul made 

several trips back and forth.

19:21-23 What do these verses say about God's plans versus man's plans?

19:22 The order of events is not really chronological.

19:23-27 There was a similar situation under Emperor Trajan (ca. 100 AD) in that Christianity had 

spread to the point that pagan temples were neglected and those who sold fodder for sacrificial animals 

saw their livelihood threatened. The theatre in Ephesus could hold about 25,000 people. An inscription 

found in the theater mentions commissioning of large silver statue of Artemis. Her statues had rows of 

large bulbous objects on her chest—breasts or eggs (fertility symbols).

19:27 Temple was one of the wonders of the ancient, now completely destroyed. The events probably 

took place during the month-long annual celebration in honor of Artemis.

19:28 Paul “hijacks” the chant of the Ephesians in Timothy 3:16, written to Ephesus: “Great is the 

mystery of godliness.”

19:35-40 Everyone appears to be afraid of Roman wrath for inciting a riot. It was almost an 

unpardonable sin in the eyes of orderly Romans.

19:38 The plural either refers to proconsuls in general (the Ephesian proconsul had just been 

assassinated by Agrippina's emissaries) in absence of the proconsul, or it may refer to the two 

assassins, who were acting proconsuls until the new one arrived. (F.F. Bruce).

Acts 20:7-12 Compare this meeting with a typical modern church service.

20:13 Why did Paul proceed by land alone? Perhaps he needed time by himself to pray and decide 

whether to proceed to Jerusalem.

20:4, 22-23 Paul decides to return to Jerusalem with the offering to relieve the poor despite the 

dangers. He felt it necessary to show solidarity between Gentile and Jewish Christians (with 

representatives of the former in attendance) and perhaps to move the Jews from their jealousy of the 

blessings conferred on the Gentile believers to be converted.

20:17ff This is Paul's last testament to the church urging the leadership to carry on transmitting the 

traditions of the apostles. He goes from past to present to future.

20:25 This may not have been truly a prophecy. He probably visited them again (suggested in 1 and 2 

Timothy references)

In verses 28-29 he calls on the elders to be the overseers of the church and protect it from the “wolves,” many of whom will come from within “your own selves”. This advice is certainly relevant today.

20:29-30 A true prophecy—see Revelation 2:2 and I John 2:19. What are the causes of this phenomenon and how can the church guard against it?

20:18-36 He also stresses the fact that he took no money in II Corinthians. He worked for a living to 

set an example of giving rather than receiving. But in the Pastoral Letters he sees nothing wrong with 

there being paid preachers (teaching and preaching elders).

He doesn't really prophecy that he will die in Jerusalem, only that he will face grave persecution. Also, 

remember that in 19:21 he said that he wanted to go to Rome after Jerusalem.

20:35 There are additional otherwise unknown sayings of Christ found in the Epistles.