Page 87 - Acts Student Textbook

9:1-19 Saul speechless, Time lapse: filled at confirms conversion;
Damascus blinded via Ananias’ baptism bonds with Damascus
believers
10:44-48 Gentile Spirit falls while immediate tongues assures Jerusalem
(11:15-17) godfearers hearing the church of Gentiles’
Caesarea message conversion
13:48, 52 Synagogue: appointed to no mention filled with
P. Antioch Hellen. Jews, eternal life. . . joy and
godfearers believed Spirit
19:2-6 disciples of “believed” (19:2) in the name tongues, partial conversion
Ephesus John the but no Spirit of Lord prophesied made complete
Baptist Jesus

Conclusions: (i) Confirmation of conversion and sealing of the unity of the one church Jew and
Gentile accounts for the time-lapse episodes; (ii) Faith/repentance, conversion, and authenticating
gift of the Spirit and immediate water baptism is the general pattern in Acts; (iii) Outward
manifestation of the Spirit (tongues, prophecy) often but not always evident; (iv) Baptism with the
Spirit (Acts 1:5; 11:16) seems to be a unique historical phenomenon giving birth to the church; in the
Epistles it incorporates every believer into the body of Christ, thus simultaneous not subsequent to
conversion (1 Cor. 12:13 [aorist]; cf. Rom 6:3; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12). One baptism, many
fillings (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9, 52; Eph. 5:18 [present tense]).

Jesus is over Satanic Strongholds (19:11-22)

How did Paul triumph over animistic superstition in Ephesus (19:11-20)?

“
Luke underscores that, God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul” (19:11).
This is not the first time God used extraordinary miracles to confirm His truth and His speaker (cf.
3:1-10; 5:15; 8:6,13; 9:40-42; 13:11-12; 14:8-11). Superstition and occult practices were widespread
and entrenched in Ephesus. God, being rich in mercy, allowed His supernatural power and authority,
resident in His Messiah, to express itself through Paul to set free these Satanic-bound people. Let’s
see specifically how it all happened:

Firstly, "Handkerchiefs" were carried from Paul’s body (19:12): These were possibly sweat bands tied
around the head during work. Notice that it was not Paul who instructed them to bring aprons and
handkerchiefs. Luke said it was them who took those things to Paul’s body so they could use on their
sick relatives. This was possibly one of their animistic practices, but God allowed it and worked
through it to show His dominance over evil powers. This is not a proof text to show that a man of
God should now be selling ‘anointed’ handkerchiefs for healing and good luck, as some faith healers
do today!

Secondly, "the evil spirits went out"(19:12): Here these demons (cf. Luke 10:17) are called "evil
spirits" (cf. Matt. 12:45; Luke 7:21; 8:2; 11:26; Acts 19:12, 13, 15, 16). But Luke also calls them
"unclean spirits" (cf. 5:16; 8:7). In Acts 16:16 the demon is called "the spirit of python (divination)."
All of these phrases seem to be synonymous. The NT speaks often of this spiritual reality, but does
not discuss its origin or details about its organization or activities. Curiosity, fear, and practical
ministry needs have caused much speculation. There is never a gift of exorcism listed in the NT, but
the need is obvious. Some helpful books are: (1) Christian Counseling and the Occult by Kouch
(2) Biblical Demonology and Demons in the World Today by Unger (3) Principalities and Powers by
Montgomery (4) Christ and the Powers by Hendrik Berkhof (5) Three Crucial Questions About
Spiritual Warfare by Clinton E. Arnold.

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