Religious Confusion (Acts 19:11-21)

Ephesus was a centre of religious competition, as were most cities at that time. The competition after Paul arrived led to a confrontation in the invisible world. Paul, as an apostle, had been given by God the power to perform miracles. There is no indication that Silas or Timothy could do them.

 

Exorcisms were and are a common feature of different religions. Some Jewish travelling exorcists observed that Paul’s use of the name of Jesus in delivering the oppressed from demon possession was very effective, so they decided to imitate him. Their strategy was misguided in thought and painful in result because the demon inhabiting a man overpowered the seven Jews in a brutal manner.

 

The outcome of that encounter had consequences. The people of Ephesus realised that the message preached by Paul was very powerful. After all, he had not been beaten up by a person he tried to deliver from the powers of evil. Also, believers decided to stop all contact with demonic activities and some of them who had worked in such activities got rid of their books of magic in a display of public repudiation. I wonder what the equivalents are today. Heard anyone say ‘touch wood’ recently! 

 

So despite the confusion of religions, the gospel continued to flourish. The progress was such that Paul realised it was time to move on. He wanted to take the gospel to Rome after another visit to Jerusalem. Therefore he made preparations. Since he could not use email, he sent Timothy and Erastus. Erastus was the city treasurer (Rom. 16:23), and no one would interfere with him.

In this brief account, we see what life was like for the church in a first-century city. It is also a description of what the church will face in a twenty-first century city in Scotland. We have a culture of religious diversity; yet we still have gospel preaching, and sometimes a prominent person in society supporting the Christian faith.