All-Surpassing Power

Erica Wiggenhorn

Start Here: Acts 19

Key Verse: Acts 19:20 (ESV) “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”

Major Moment: The Holy Spirit came upon believers in Ephesus during Paul’s third missionary journey.

On a picnic, my family enjoyed the warm Arizona sunshine. But as the breeze picked up to a slight wind, we couldn’t ignore the wall of dust approaching: a sandstorm. Within minutes the sky went black, dust and sand blew ferociously around us, and lightning cracked. The entire atmosphere shifted, and we immediately sought security indoors, waiting for the wind to settle.

When Paul brought the gospel to Ephesus, a city known for its occultic practices and worship of the fertility goddess Artemis, the presence of the Holy Spirit broke through darkness, bringing light and peace to a turbulent place. As Jesus was magnified, the spiritual forces of darkness and the allure of the world lost their magnificence.

The Spiritual Forces of Darkness

In Acts 19:13-14, we see demonic forces were so powerful in Ephesus that “itinerant Jewish exorcists” roved the marketplace for hire. The sons of Sceva attempted to exorcize an evil spirit by using the name of “Jesus whom Paul proclaims,” but they were only trying to profit from Jesus, not worship Him as Savior, and the demon-possessed man wounded and overpowered them (Acts 19:16). Contrarily, true believers like the Apostle Paul were filled with the Holy Spirit, and people were healed simply by touching a handkerchief or apron Paul had worn (Acts 19:11-12). Paul did not even need to be present for the miracles to occur … because the power was not Paul’s. It was God’s!

These miracle stories spread throughout the city, and “the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled” (Acts 19:17). To “extol” means to give proper honor or to magnify someone, and the residents of Ephesus (even the confronted evil spirits in Acts 19:15) recognized the magnificence of Christ Jesus.

The Allure of the World

The atmosphere in Ephesus dramatically shifted! Pagan magicians who once sought safety in sorcery also turned to Jesus, “confessing and divulging their practices,” and many “brought their [magic] books together and burned them” (Acts 19:18-19). Some scholars estimate that the cost of these books would have been equivalent to 50,000 days of wages, or nearly 140 years’ salary!

Meanwhile, in Acts 19:23-29, a craftsman named Demetrius “who made silver shrines of Artemis” incited a riot out of fear that Jesus’ followers would put him out of business with their message to turn away from Roman gods. The temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and Ephesus was a financially thriving city due to global tourism and Artemis worship. Demetrius claimed that “the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing” (Acts 19:27) … but his real concern was that his bank account would be counted as nothing. He didn’t recognize “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46).

In the end, the Lord protected Paul and ended the riot through the city clerk in Acts 19:35-41, ensuring the gospel would continue to spread in Ephesus. Despite so much opposition, the all-surpassing power of the Holy Spirit stripped the power of evil, revealed the value of the gospel, and silenced the confusion of the enemy. “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” (Acts 19:20).

No force, spiritual or earthly, can stand against the name of Jesus. He is our security. And His presence cannot be ignored.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, may we properly honor You in our hearts, recognizing Your magnificence. Whatever is coming against us to humiliate, wound or silence us is no match for Your power. You are our safety and security. Help us to put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

My Moment: When or how have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s power in your own life? How can you put your trust in the power of God instead of relying on other things or on yourself?

Comment: I once stood speechless in the checkout line with my two children. My debit card had been declined. I had no way to pay for the cart full of bagged groceries. Not having the slightest clue as to why or what to do, I feebly mumbled an apology and exited the store. I had never stared financial insecurity in the face so vividly. I realized how much I took for granted with the safety of that little plastic card.

 The people of Ephesus sought stability in their wealth and in sorcery: two highly uncertain sources of security. But when Paul preached Jesus to all the people of the city and they saw firsthand the power of the Holy Spirit, many wisely sought security in Christ. Sometimes it’s easy for us to seek security in tangible things and take for granted Jesus’ provision and power in our lives until we are in a helpless situation. That day in the grocery store continues to remind me that everything I have is from Him and my care is continually in His hands.

More Moments About Acts 19:

The beginning of today’s chapter, Acts 19:1-9, includes a brief interlude where Paul encountered some disciples of John the Baptist. These disciples had heard John’s message of repentance (Matthew 3:1-3), but they had seemingly not yet learned about the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Paul informed them that the Messiah whom John foretold had in fact arrived, died on a cross and risen again. Upon hearing this news, the disciples believed and immediately received the Holy Spirit.

This interlude informs us that belief in the Lord Jesus secures the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Acts 19:5-6). Paul explained to the Ephesians later in his letter to them, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit powerfully works in and through us, changing the atmosphere of our communities and reminding us of the security we have in Christ Jesus.