Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul traveled through the upper country and arrived in Ephesus. He found some disciples there and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They replied, "We've never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

Paul asked them again, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we haven't even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."

He then asked, "Into what were you baptized?" They replied, "We were baptized into John's baptism." Paul explained that John had baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling people to believe in the one who would come after him – Jesus Christ. When they heard this, they were eager to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

As soon as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them. They began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in total.

For three months, Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly, explaining the kingdom of God to the people. Some hardened their hearts and refused to believe, criticizing the way before the crowd. As a result, Paul left them and separated the disciples, who continued debating daily in Tyrannus' school.

This debate went on for two years, and during that time, God performed many remarkable miracles through Paul's hands. Handkerchiefs or aprons from his body were brought to the sick, and their diseases disappeared. The evil spirits even left them.

However, some Jewish exorcists who had no authority tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits, saying, "We command you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." But a group of seven brothers from Sceva, a Jewish high priest's family, went further and said, "I command you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches."

The evil spirit in one man responded, "I know Jesus and Paul, but who are you?" The evil spirit then overpowered them, leaving them helpless. This event became widely known among both Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, causing fear to grip everyone. As a result, the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified even more.

Many people who had believed came forward, confessed their faith, and publicly acknowledged their past mistakes. Many of those involved in sorcery also gathered their books and burned them in public, valuing the destroyed texts at fifty thousand pieces of silver. The message of God's word grew rapidly, spreading everywhere.

After this, Paul made up his mind to travel to Jerusalem, intending to visit Rome after that. He sent two men, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia while he stayed in Asia for a time. Around the same time, a significant controversy arose about the way of life.

A certain man named Demetrius, who made silver shrines for the goddess Diana, had become wealthy from this trade. He called together other craftsmen involved in similar work and said, "You know that by this occupation we have our wealth." They were also aware that Paul's teachings had turned many people away from believing in idols throughout Asia.

When they heard Demetrius' words, they became furious and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" The entire city erupted into chaos. Gaius and Aristarchus, two men from Macedonia who were traveling companions with Paul, were even seized by the crowd as it rushed into the theater.

Paul wanted to join the crowd, but his disciples held him back. Some prominent leaders in Asia, who were friends of Paul's, sent a message urging him not to risk going into the theater. As people shouted different things and the assembly became confused, most didn't even understand why they had gathered.

The town clerk eventually intervened and asked Alexander to come forward. When he did, the Jews brought him before the crowd, but Alexander only wanted to defend himself. However, when it was revealed that he was a Jew, everyone began shouting, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" for about two hours.

After this commotion had died down, the town clerk addressed the people, saying, "You're well aware that your city is famous throughout the region as a devoted follower of the great goddess Diana and her iconic image, which was sent from Jupiter. Since you can't deny these facts, it's best to remain calm and avoid any rash actions."

He added, "You brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of your goddess. If Demetrius or the craftsmen he's associated with have a complaint against someone, they should take it to court. Let them present their case according to the law." The town clerk continued, "If you have any other concerns, we can settle them in an orderly manner."

By speaking up, the town clerk helped to calm the crowd and eventually dismissed the assembly.