Southwood Lutheran Church: Act 19

Following Christ Means Change

Acts 19 shows 3 different examples of people reacting to the changes a life in Christ brings. And the examples leave me with questions about my own faith life. Read the entire chapter here.

First, Paul encounters a group of “disciples” in Ephesus. They believe in Jesus as the Messiah, but they have not heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul baptizes them in the name of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit comes on them all. As followers of Christ, they become complete in their baptisms as they receive the Holy Spirit. They are changed. I leave that story with more questions than answers, though.

What did they do next?
Was the change permanent?
Were all of them changed?
Was the change reflected in their daily lives?

I can ask those same questions about myself and my own baptism. Acts doesn’t give the answer, perhaps because each of us must look within ourselves for the evidence of the change.

During his 2 year stay in Ephesus, Paul had extraordinary healing powers and the ability to cast out evil spirits. The evil spirits themselves proved that Paul’s power came from Jesus when some traveling exorcists tried to cast out an evil spirit by invoking Jesus’ name. In reply, the spirit said, “I know Jesus and I know Paul, but who are you?” Those exorcists couldn't cast out that demon, and people began to change their minds about Jesus, the source of Paul's amazing powers -- powers that far surpassed those of your everyday magician. Everyday magicians turned away from their old lives, going so far as to burn their books of spells and incantations. Their books totaled 50,000 pieces of silver (a piece of silver was equivalent to a day’s wage). Notice they didn’t sell their books….they burned them, turning their backs on that life and refusing to pass it along to others.

What are the things in my life that I need to turn my back on so that I and others can grow as followers of Jesus?
How do I eradicate them completely without leaving any trace of them?

Around the time Paul was preparing to leave Ephesus, trouble was brewing. The businessmen started to worry that Paul’s teachings would ruin their sources of income. Ephesus was the home of the Greek fertility goddess Artemis (at right), and the craftsmen of the town made a lot of money selling silver shrines to the goddess. They incited a riot in Ephesus, whipping up people’s patriotism and religious zeal as a flimsy mask for their selfishness and love of money. Here’s an example where people didn’t change in response to hearing about Jesus. The allure of monetary gain and the prevailing culture made it impossible for people to open their hearts and minds to the possibility of change.

What gets in my way of accepting Jesus fully into my life?
What things do I hold more dear (as idols like Artemis)?

Following Christ definitely means change. How far will you go to follow Christ?

Kim

This 28 part blog will post each Tuesday through Friday from April 1 through May 16. We'll post on one chapter of Acts each day. Be sure to join us in reading this entire book. We'll learn about Jesus, about his disciples, and about how we can become more fully devoted followers of Christ.