The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus
(Acts 10:44–48)

1And it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul having come through the upper regions came down into Ephesus: and found certain disciples, 2and said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost, having believed? And they said to him, But we have not heard if the Holy Ghost is (given). 3And he said, Into what then were you baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John. 4And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on the one coming after him, that is Jesus. 5And they, having heard, were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus; 6and Paul having laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they continued to speak with tongues, and prophesy. 7And they were all about twelve men.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus
(Ephesians 1:1–2; Revelation 2:1–7)

8And having come into the synagogue, he preached boldly three months, expounding and persuading them as to the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9But when some were becoming hardened and disbelieving, speaking evil of the way in the presence of the multitude, departing from them he separated his disciples, daily expounding in the school of Tyrannus. 10And this took place two years; so that all dwelling in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

11And God was working great miracles through the hands of Paul; 12so that napkins and aprons were carried from his body and placed on the sick, and diseases departed from them, and evil spirits went out of them.

Seven Sons of Sceva

13And certain ones of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus, over those having evil spirits saying, I adjure you in the name of Jesus whom Paul is preaching. 14And there were certain seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish high priest, doing this. 15But the evil spirit responding said to them, I know Jesus, and am acquainted with Paul; but who are you? 16And the man in whom was the evil spirit, leaping on them, domineering over both of them, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified; 18and many of those having believed came, confessing, and renouncing their practices. 19And many of those practicing curious arts, having brought their books, burnt them before all: and they estimated the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20Thus the word of the Lord increased and accumulated strength according to His power.

The Riot in Ephesus

21And when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in spirit, having traveled through Macedonia and Achaia, to go on into Jerusalem, saying that, After I am there it behooves me also to see Rome. 22And having sent two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, himself spent the time in Asia.

23And at that time there was no small commotion concerning the way. 24For a certain Demetrius by name, a silversmith, making silver shrines of Diana, was bringing no small gain to the mechanics, 25whom having assembled and the laborers about such things, he said, Men, you know that it is from this work that prosperity is to us: 26and you see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, that this Paul having persuaded them has turned away a great multitude, saying that there are no gods made with hands. 27And not only is this interest in danger to us to come into disrepute; but even the temple of the great goddess Diana to be considered for nought, and they are about even to despise the majesty of her, whom all Asia and the world worships.

28And hearing and being filled with rage, they continued to cry out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And the city was filled with commotion: and they rushed of one accord into the theatre, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians, the companions of Paul. 30And Paul wishing to go in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not; 31and certain ones of the Asiatic rulers, also being friends to him, having sent to him, continued to entreat him not to give himself up into the theatre. 32Then indeed they continued to cry out some one thing, and some another: for the church was confused; and the most of them did not know on account of what they had come together. 33And some from the crowd forced in Alexander, the Jews precipitating him forward; and Alexander, beckoning with his hand, wished to apologize to the people. 34But recognizing that he is a Jew, there was one voice from all crying out about two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35And the city clerk having dismissed the multitudes, said, Ephesian men, for what one of men is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the statue having fallen down from Jupiter? 36Therefore these things being unquestionable, it is necessary that you become calm, and do nothing rashly. 37For you have led in these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor are they blaspheming your goddess. 38If indeed therefore Demetrius, and the mechanics along with him, have a charge against any one, the courts are in session, and there are lawyers: let them implead one another. 39But if you are seeking something concerning other things, it shall be settled in the lawful church. 40For indeed we are in danger of prosecution for the disturbance this day, there being no cause concerning which we shall be able to give a reason for this uproar. 41And having said these things, he dismissed the church.