Acts 19. Amazing things are happening in Ephesus (modern day Turkey) and the Apostle Paul makes his home base in this city for more than two years. When I look at this chapter, I see events that demonstrate what it looks like when the kingdom of God takes root in a community. Here is how the kingdom of God is breaking through in Ephesus:

First the Holy Spirit comes upon those who believed and were baptized, and they show evidence of his presence (19:5-6). In those twelve or so men (19:7) God planted the seeds of the leadership for a new Christian community, an outpost of the kingdom of God. Secondly, the Holy Spirit is equipping the Apostle Paul as he preaches and teaches with great boldness and effect (19:8-10). He is training disciples, and they are receiving his teaching and being shaped by it. God protects this group of disciples for a season so they can be well-rooted and maturing in their faith.

Third, the Holy Spirit is choosing to work miracles through the Apostle Paul (19:11-12). These works of power demonstrate who God is, reveal God’s ability to heal and deliver, and establish the presence of the kingdom of God. They validate the ministry of Paul and the new disciples as God shows up in big and unexpected ways.

Fourth, the growing presence of the kingdom of God in Ephesus causes a shift in the unseen spiritual world. The text reveals to us that demonic powers in Ephesus knew about and respected the authority of Jesus and Paul but did not recognize false exorcists trying to use Jesus’ name like it was some power spell. The drama in this chapter (19:11-16, 21-41) should remind us that there is an invisible spiritual world out there that is affected by shifts in alliances and power between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. The result of drama in the city was that a fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled (19:17). God got the glory, and the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily (19:20).

Fifth, the recognition that the Lord Jesus was more powerful than all the other gods, and a sense of fear and conviction caused many of those who were now believers to come, confessing and divulging their practices… they brought their books and burned them all (19:18-19). Did you catch that? People who recently came to believe in Jesus had held on to their idol worship and magical spell books. That’s not good; you cannot have both. The Holy Spirit brought fear of the true God and repentance to the community. Remember what Paul said to the Thessalonians – how they turned away from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thes 1:9)? Now repentance and conviction have come to the community at Ephesus as well.

Finally, the shift in spiritual alliances affected commerce in Ephesus (19:21-41). Idol-makers were threatened with bankruptcy, and there was a riot. The Holy Spirit sends the town clerk, a lower-level political figure who is likely not a believer, to help shield the Christians and calm things down. God raises up someone to protect his followers.

The kingdom of God is breaking through, shining a light in the darkness in Ephesus. The presence of the Holy Spirit brings conviction, repentance, healing, and deliverance. These are good events, things we can pray the God would bring about in our own lives and community. And when God does show up, it may bring conflict, but God is able to protect his people.

Pray for renewal and revival to come to your community.