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  1. In Acts 18:24-26, we read that Apollos had been in Ephesus but that he only knew the baptism of John.  Now in chapter 19 we read that Apollos is in Corinth and Paul is in Ephesus.  While in Ephesus, Paul encounters disciples.  How would you describe these disciples?

 

 

Why do you think Paul asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed?

 

 

They answer, No.  Some say this indicates that they were not really saved but were only disciples of John.  What do you think?

 

 

Is it possible to believe in Jesus and not receive the Holy Sprit?  Please explain.

 

 

What part does the Holy Spirit play in the church today?  In your life?

 

 

How would you explain the Holy Spirit to a new believer?

 

 

  1. Paul asks these disciples what baptism they received and they reply, “John’s baptism.”  What was John’s baptism?

 

 

Why was his baptism not enough or complete?

 

 

Does this mean that they did not know Who Jesus was?  Please explain.

 

 

What similarities do we find between Apollos and these disciples?  How might you explain them?

 

 

  1. Do you believe we have people in the church today who are sincerely worshipping the Lord Jesus but are limited by the teaching they have received?  (NOTE:  This is not a condemnation of denominations or faiths; instead, it is taking an honest look at the church today.)

 

 

  1. Verse 5 states that on “hearing this” they were baptized again.  What did they hear?

 

 

Why was it necessary for them to be baptized a second time?

 

 

What baptism did they receive this time?

 

 

What does it mean to you to be baptized “into the name of Jesus?”

 

 

Can you think of any circumstance where a person should be baptized a second time?

 

 

  1. What happened to the disciples when Paul laid hands on them?

 

 

What does it mean to you for the Holy Spirit to come on someone? 

 

 

To be filled with the Holy Spirit?

 

 

Is this a one-time occurrence?  Please explain.

 

 

Have you personally experienced the Holy Spirit coming upon you?  If so, would you share it?  If not, would you like to know more?

 

 

  1. What happened to the disciples when they were filled with the Holy Spirit?

 

 

Should we expect the same things to happen to us today?  Please explain.

 

 

  1. What can we learn from Paul about discipling new believers?
  2. Paul then goes to the synagogue where he was once again “arguing persuasively” about the kingdom of God.  What is the kingdom of God?

 

 

  1. Verse 9 states that some became obstinate.  What does “obstinate” mean? 

 

 

How does one become obstinate?

 

 

What was the result of their becoming obstinate?

 

 

Are we likely to do the same things if we become obstinate?  Can you give some examples?

 

 

How did Paul deal with these obstinate people?

 

 

  1. After leaving the synagogue, where did Paul go and whom did he take?

 

 

Why did Paul do this?

 

 

Verse 10 states that Paul did this for two years.  What was the result of Paul’s persistence?

 

 

  1. Verse 10 says that all the Jews and Greeks in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.  Find a map that shows the province of Asia.  This may sound like a simple question, but what does “all” mean to you?

 

 

Can we honestly say that all in the province of Coal county have heard the word of the Lord?  In Coalgate?

 

 

Is this possible?  If so, how?

 

 

Verse 10 says that all heard the word.  Does this mean that all believed?  Please explain.

 

 

  1. Read vv 11-12.  We read that God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.  What is meant by extraordinary?  Are there ordinary miracles?

 

 

What were some of these extraordinary miracles?

 

 

Why do you believe God chose to work these miracles through Paul?

 

 

Should we expect to see God work extraordinary miracles through us today?  Please explain.

 

 

  1. Verse 13 states that some Jews went around driving out evil spirits.  What can you learn about this practice?

 

 

What does the word “invoke” mean?

 

 

Why would they try to invoke the name of Jesus?  (See verse 12)

 

 

How did they invoke the name of Jesus?

 

 

What can we deduce about these Jews from their comments?

 

 

  1. Read carefully vv 14-16.  What did the evil spirit say?

 

 

What happened to the seven sons of Sceva?

 

 

What is the most important thing we can learn from this episode?

 

  1. Paul drove out evil spirits.  The evil spirits drove out the seven sons.  What effect did this have on both the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus?

 

 

Should we expect to see the same thing in our city?  Please explain.

 

 

  1. Read vv. 18-19.  What two things occurred as a result of this demonstration of God’s power?

 

 

How do you feel about “public confessions” of evil deeds?

 

 

What is the relationship between believing and confessing sin? 

 

 

Today, do we see these two “operating” together?  Please explain.

 

 

  1. Verse 19 says that a number of people burned their scrolls publicly.  If this were to happen in Coalgate, what might our “scrolls” be?

 

 

It states that these scrolls were worth 50,000 drachmas.  Doing a little research, how much would this be worth today?

 

 

What impact would this have on a city?  What would be the positive results?  The negative?

 

 

  1. Verse 20 says that in this way the gospel spread widely and grew in power.  What do you think is meant by “in this way”?

 

 

  1. After all of this, what does Paul decide to do?

 

 

Why do you think Paul was so set on going to Rome?

 

 

In verse 22 we read for the first time of Erastus.  What can you learn about him?

 

 

  1. Read vv.  23-27. Who was Demetrius?

 

 

What was his “complaint” against the Way?  Was it more religious or financial in nature?  Please explain.

 

 

How has Paul led people astray?  (See v. 26.)  What did Paul say that was causing so much trouble for Demetrius and the other silversmiths?

 

 

  1. Read carefully Demetrius’ words in v. 27.  He says there is a danger that their trade will suffer and that Artemis will be discredited.  Which do you think is more important to these men? 

 

 

We have asked this question before, but could or would the spread of the gospel in power affect certain “trades” in Coalgate and in Coal County?  Please explain.

 

 

  1. What was the effect of Demetrius’ speech?  (Read carefully vv 28-29.)

 

 

Why do you think the crowd grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus?

 

 

If you had been one of these two men, what might you have been thinking as the crowd rushed you to the theater?

 

 

  1. When Paul heard about this, he wanted to appear before the crowd.  Was this Paul speaking or the Holy Spirit leading him?  Please explain.

 

 

Why did the disciples stop Paul?

 

 

Even some of the officials begged Paul not to come.  What do you think they feared?

 

What can we learn about Paul from this episode?

 

 

  1. Read v. 32.  What do we know about the crowd?

 

 

Why do you think they were in confusion?

 

 

The verse states that many did not even know why they were there.  Then, what caused them to join the crowd?

 

 

How can we tell these people were not being led by the Holy Spirit?

 

 

  1. Who was Alexander?

 

 

Why do you think the Jews pushed him to the front?

 

 

What “instructions” do you think the others were yelling at him?

 

 

Considering Alexander was a Jew, what do you believe his “defense” was going to be?

 

 

We have three groups represented here.  Jews, Christians, and everyone else.  Briefly explain the relationship between the three.  How has this added “fuel to the fire?”

 

 

  1. What happened when the crowd realized Alexander was a Jew?

 

 

What would you call this type of behavior?

 

 

  1. In these verses we see two groups, one who worships the LORD God and one who worships Artemis or Diana.  What are the major differences that separate them?

 

 

  1. The crowd is becoming more and more violent.  Finally, in verse 35 the city clerk steps forward.  What can you learn about this position?

 

 

What authority did he have that he could quiet this raucous crowd?

 

 

  1. Read carefully the clerk’s argument in vv. 35-40.  What does he say about Ephesus that appeals to the crowd’s vanity?

 

 

From this “argument” what seems to be a major component of this religion?

 

 

  1. This man is very good.  What does he say that compels the crowd to calm down?

 

 

What does he say about the men who have been brought before the crowd?  (See v. 37.)

 

 

What does he say about Demetrius and the other craftsmen?

 

 

  1. Verse 40 gives us the main reason for the town clerk’s concern.  What is the danger?

 

 

Who might charge them with rioting and what might be the result?

 

 

  1. With this, the city clerk dismisses the crowd.  What does Paul decide to do at this time?  (You will have to read Acts 20:1)

 

Why do you think Paul made this decision?

 

 

  1. Looking at this episode, what might be your thoughts about staying in Ephesus to continue the church?

 

 

From reading the book of Ephesians, we know the church survived and prospered.  How does this encourage us?