The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus

(Joel 2:28-32; John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Acts 2:1-13; Acts 10:44-48)

1AND it came to pass, while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples. 2And he said to them: Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? But they said to him: We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost. 3And he said: In what then were you baptized? Who said: In John's baptism. 4Then Paul said: John baptized the people with the baptism of penance, saying: That they should believe in him who was to come after him, that is to say, in Jesus. 5Having heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus

(Revelation 2:1-7)

8And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God. 9But when some were hardened, and believed not, speaking evil of the way of the Lord, before the multitude, departing from them, he separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10And this continued for the space of two years, so that all they who dwelt in Asia, heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Gentiles.

11And God wrought by the hand of Paul more than common miracles. 12So that even there were brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the wicked spirits went out of them.

The Sons of Sceva

13Now some also of the Jewish exorcists who went about, attempted to invoke over them that had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying: I conjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were certain men, seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, that did this. 15But the wicked spirit, answering, said to them: Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? 16And the man in whom the wicked spirit was, leaping upon them, and mastering them both, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17And this became known to all the Jews and the Gentiles that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18And many of them that believed, came confessing and declaring their deeds. 19And many of them who had followed curious arts, brought together their books, and burnt them before all; and counting the price of them, they found the money to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So mightily grew the word of God, and was confirmed.

The Riot in Ephesus

21And when these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying: After I have been there, I must see Rome also. 22And sending into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself remained for a time in Asia.

23Now at that time there arose no small disturbance about the way of the Lord. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver temples for Diana, brought no small gain to the craftsmen; 25Whom he calling together, with the workmen of like occupation, said: Sirs, you know that our gain is by this trade; 26And you see and hear, that this Paul by persuasion hath drawn away a great multitude, not only of Ephesus, but almost of all Asia, saying: They are not gods which are made by hands. 27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also the temple of great Diana shall be reputed for nothing; yea, and her majesty shall begin to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28Having heard these things, they were full of anger, and cried out, saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And the whole city was filled with confusion; and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre. 32Now some cried one thing, some another. For the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not for what cause they were come together. 33And they drew forth Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander beckoning with his hand for silence, would have given the people satisfaction. 34But as soon as they perceived him to be a Jew, all with one voice, for the space of about two hours, cried out: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35And when the town clerk had appeased the multitudes, he said: Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Diana, and of Jupiter's offspring. 36For as much therefore as these things cannot be contradicted, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37For you have brought hither these men, who are neither guilty of sacrilege, nor of blasphemy against your goddess. 38But if Demetrius and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts of justice are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. 39And if you inquire after any other matter, it may be decided in a lawful assembly. 40For we are even in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no man guilty (of whom we may give account) of this concourse. 41And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.