Wednesdays are for the New Testament
7/3/24
Bruce, F.F. (1988). "Ephesus (19:1-20)." In The Book of Acts (Revised). (361-369). William B. Eerdmans Publishing,
Bruce observes that at the start of Acts 19, Paul and his companions are moving west toward Ephesus (Bruce 1988, p. 362). In Ephesus, Paul came into contact with a number of disciples of Jesus who were lacking some important knowledge, as they did not know about the Holy Spirit (19:1-2) (Bruce 1988, p. 363). Verse three highlights an assumption on the part of Paul that baptism was associated with receiving the Holy Spirit. Bruce comments on verse four that "John's baptism was one of preparation rather than one of fulfillment, as Christian baptism now was" (Bruce 1988, p. 364). The distinction in Bruce's mind seems to be that John's baptism anticipates Christ, while Christian baptism recognizes the completion of Jesus' mission on earth. Verses 5-7 then show the twelve men being baptized. Bruce observes that there is no other New Testament account of anyone being baptized again, including among those baptized by John the Baptist.
Acts 19:8-10 describes Paul speaking in the synagogue for three months before moving his work to a lecture hall belonging to Tyrannus (Bruce 1988, p. 365). Though Paul had been in Ephesus earlier, he had not stayed long. Bruce notes that the pattern of speaking in the synagogue then moving on was familiar. Here, however, the work among the Jewish leaders lasted longer than usual, for three months. There is some lack of clarity about whether Tyrannus was a lecturer or may have simply owned the lecture hall and rented it to others (Bruce 1988, p. 366). However, Bruce observes the Western text of Acts shows Paul having use of the space from 11am to 4pm, a time when most of the society took an extended break during the heat of the day. Paul's work in Ephesus continued for two years, during which time Bruce notes others evangelized the other nearby cities.
Acts 19:11-10 describes a number of signs of divine power which happened around Paul. Bruce notes a parallel to Acts 5:15 and healing where Peter's shadow fell (Bruce 1988, p. 367). Verse 13 shows even Jewish exorcists trying to use Jesus' name. Bruce notes that there are pagan spell-books and other items which make an attempt at using words which might have been used by Jewish exorcists (Bruce 1988, p. 368). The sons of one Sceva attempted to use Jesus' name in an exorcism, but found the demon uncooperative, claiming to know Jesus and Paul but not them (v. 16). News of this event spread rapidly, moving some to believe Jesus and to destroy their magical scrolls (vv. 17-19). Acts 19:20 provides a brief summary that God's Word was continuing to spread, the fifth such report in Acts.
7/3/24
Bruce, F.F. (1988). "Ephesus (19:1-20)." In The Book of Acts (Revised). (361-369). William B. Eerdmans Publishing,
Bruce observes that at the start of Acts 19, Paul and his companions are moving west toward Ephesus (Bruce 1988, p. 362). In Ephesus, Paul came into contact with a number of disciples of Jesus who were lacking some important knowledge, as they did not know about the Holy Spirit (19:1-2) (Bruce 1988, p. 363). Verse three highlights an assumption on the part of Paul that baptism was associated with receiving the Holy Spirit. Bruce comments on verse four that "John's baptism was one of preparation rather than one of fulfillment, as Christian baptism now was" (Bruce 1988, p. 364). The distinction in Bruce's mind seems to be that John's baptism anticipates Christ, while Christian baptism recognizes the completion of Jesus' mission on earth. Verses 5-7 then show the twelve men being baptized. Bruce observes that there is no other New Testament account of anyone being baptized again, including among those baptized by John the Baptist.
Acts 19:8-10 describes Paul speaking in the synagogue for three months before moving his work to a lecture hall belonging to Tyrannus (Bruce 1988, p. 365). Though Paul had been in Ephesus earlier, he had not stayed long. Bruce notes that the pattern of speaking in the synagogue then moving on was familiar. Here, however, the work among the Jewish leaders lasted longer than usual, for three months. There is some lack of clarity about whether Tyrannus was a lecturer or may have simply owned the lecture hall and rented it to others (Bruce 1988, p. 366). However, Bruce observes the Western text of Acts shows Paul having use of the space from 11am to 4pm, a time when most of the society took an extended break during the heat of the day. Paul's work in Ephesus continued for two years, during which time Bruce notes others evangelized the other nearby cities.
Acts 19:11-10 describes a number of signs of divine power which happened around Paul. Bruce notes a parallel to Acts 5:15 and healing where Peter's shadow fell (Bruce 1988, p. 367). Verse 13 shows even Jewish exorcists trying to use Jesus' name. Bruce notes that there are pagan spell-books and other items which make an attempt at using words which might have been used by Jewish exorcists (Bruce 1988, p. 368). The sons of one Sceva attempted to use Jesus' name in an exorcism, but found the demon uncooperative, claiming to know Jesus and Paul but not them (v. 16). News of this event spread rapidly, moving some to believe Jesus and to destroy their magical scrolls (vv. 17-19). Acts 19:20 provides a brief summary that God's Word was continuing to spread, the fifth such report in Acts.
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