Here’s Luke’s report on Paul first visit to the city Ephesus, a chief Roman city. “And he came to Ephesus.” Acts 18:19 … pretty brief, isn’t it?
Yet, once settled in, the Apostle preached three full years there! According to Acts 20:31. Then later he wrote what may be the New Testament’s most sublime Epistle … addressed to that Church, the saints at Ephesus.
Here’s one outstanding victory during Paul’s stay in that famed city. “Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and BURNED them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” Souls saved, rescued from the clutches of spiritism, demonism, heathenism, Acts 19:19.
They gave up all association with the spirit world … the evil spirit world that is. (Recall here 1 John 4:1 please. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.”)
Yes, many of the Ephesians tuned their backs on that past life of anti-Christian philosophy, those “doctrines of devils.”
And they grew in their knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
As if, when they jettisoned interest in any false spirit … the Holy Spirit of God rewarded them with intimate Fellowship, Communion!
And that thought brings me to the Epistle of Ephesians! And the point of today’s Lesson.
Perhaps in no other Body of Literature (divinely inspired) did Paul convey a higher sense of Spiritual Privilege! For example, there we learn that we Christians are already “seated in heavenly places” in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Ephesians 2:6)
Wow!
I am simply saying this: to the congregation that spurned all those wrong spirits … God gave the fullest knowledge of the TRUE SPIRIT, the Spirit of Almighty God, the very Holy Spirit Himself!
They spurned hellish demons … even at great cost! Luke says this much: “Fifty thousand pieces of silver!”
But they certainly were compensated to an infinitely greater degree than mere silver or gold!
In Ephesians, especially to these folks …
Paul penned verses like these, undoubted realities: “After that ye believed, ye were SEALED with that Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13
And … “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may GIVE unto you the (Holy) Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17
“For through him (Jesus) we both have ACCESS by one (Holy) Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18
Jesus … “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22
Wow!
“That He (our Lord Jesus Christ) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be STRENGTHENED with might by His (Holy) Spirit in the inner man.” Ephesians 3:16
Where (in Ephesians) we learn that the Holy Spirit is a Person of the Godhead, and can thereby be “grieved!” Ephesians 4:30
Where we learn of the “Fruit of the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 5:9
Where we learn that we are expected to be “filled with the Holy Spirit!” Ephesians 5:18
Where we learn about the “Sword of the Holy Spirit!” (Which is the powerfully sharp Word of God) Ephesians 6:17
And where we learn about praying in the Holy Spirit! “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the (Holy) Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians
They indeed gave up on set of spirits … but became intimate with The Holy Spirit of God!
And that is likely why, in my opinion, Paul labored so abundantly at Ephesus for three years! A record for a Church stay for him!
Thank God today for the Ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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