Acts 19 Commentary
The reference to the twelve disciples sounds like a talk about the twelve apostles. No. This is a collection of twelve unnamed Jews who probably repented and returned to God at the preaching of John. Or, they probably belonged to a group of god-fearing Jews who waited for the Messiah and found warmth in John’s preaching.
The number twelve could be significant. Regardless, they form part of the Body of Christ during the transition period. They are already inside the banquet hall, but without tickets, like workers preparing the hall in time for the feast. Let them be part of the guests now that the King has come.
The Synagogue is a place of prayer for the Jews. But who cares? The lecture hall is just as good; ministry can be had even here! Yes, the lecture hall, the town hall, under a tree, or indeed in the streets! The lecture hall is more open to the residents than the Synagogue! When trouble surfaces, they simply change the venue. Never cancel the event!
The Holy Spirit so worked in the life of Paul that even face towels or aprons that touched his skin could be used to heal sicknesses!
The sons of Sceva are beaten by a demon (working through a man). The anointing that extends to others, even through face-towels, isn’t the kind to be had on the cheap! It is not water you draw out as long as you have a cup!
Saints don’t have power by themselves. But as sons and daughters of Jesus, they carry immense power. The sons of Sceva carried their father’s name, never the name of Jesus, even if their mouths proclaimed so. Paul, on the other hand, was the son of Jesus. The demons knew it.
We are introduced to two evil entities, the unnamed spirit (demon) and the goddess Artemis. Both are spirits and have bodily representations in the form of a possessed man and a carved image.
The possessed man causes harm, pain, and shame to Sceva’s sons. We also know that demons cause all sorts of trouble in God’s creation. Artemis is a level higher than the demons and demands worship. She is worshipped for fortune and fertility.
Artemis was a Greek goddess represented by an image at Ephesus. The Romans would use the name Diana. It was claimed that Artemis caused fortune and was behind fertility in women. Others claimed she was behind the rain and would improve crop production. She is an example of the devil appearing in the form of an angel of light. Men and women flock there for the purported ‘good’ things from this goddess. But it is all deception.
For success, thrills, achievement, money… it is a package on display in the devil’s shop. The saint is warned.
See how the Ephesians praise Artemis for 2 long hours by shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians”! It cannot be a small matter! Many don’t even know why they are there in the first place! They probably join the worship of Artemis ignorantly and absent-mindedly, in a frenzy. The devil thrives on ignorance.
Paul declares: “After I have been there, (Jerusalem), I must visit Rome also”. The LORD may communicate to us through a strong inner desire. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2 verse 13.
But these godly desires can be ‘channeled’ and can be checked in time and space. Paul’s desire to venture into the theater is stopped by others who know better. The great apostle obliges. There is no invincibility in the Body of Christ. The LORD Jesus rules here and may use others to put you in shape.
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