June 3. Acts 19. Chance Bozeman

JESUS I KNOW, BUT WHO ARE YOU?

Lecture halls! Magic handkerchiefs! Demon MMA fights! Sorcery! Riots! The Holy Spirit really shakes things up when Paul comes to town. During his time in Ephesus, we read of multiple accounts of how the gospel message reached more and more in a variety of circumstances. What is exciting to me is how knowledge does not equate to experience nor does it imply relationship.

First of all, Paul meets disciples who "knew the baptism of John" but did not "know the baptism of Jesus". The baptism of John was repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John called his disciples to change their minds about how sins are forgiven, and he pointed to the arrival of an anointed one who would sort the faithful covenant partners of God from the chaff. Jesus appeared as this messiah. Jesus revealed that access to the Father came through experiential knowledge of him (Jesus). It suffices to say that the disciples that Paul found in Ephesus knew they were not right with God but did not have a relationship with Jesus.

Paul engages in open discussion for two years, speaking eloquently about The Way. I typically slot in my understanding of Bible study into these discussions; however, I think Paul pursued a different method. Many people of Paul's day were not educated. The patience and conviction required to communicate a lifestyle go far beyond academic discussion. Because of Paul and his companion's efforts, the entire subcontinent of Asia Minor heard the word of the Lord. I take for granted just how widespread the word of God is in our world. The Spirit sent the gospel message into every corner of the earth. But the gospel was not an academic presentation of information, but a lifestyle. A lifestyle Paul fully committed himself to.

See in the next verses, (v13-16) some Jews attempted to use artifacts from Paul to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus in an effort to cast out demons. To say they were unsuccessful is an understatement. It's hilarious, the demon actually says "Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?". The spiritual forces in the heavenly realms know those who are aligned with Jesus. Paul's life is so close to Jesus that the demon equates the two. This echoes John 15, when you walk in the Way of Jesus, you are one with Jesus, you are part of the vine that gives life, the seed of David to which all authorities and principalities bow.

A lifestyle pursuing The Way will mirror the life of Christ. Ministry. Service. Death. Burial. Resurrection. Contemplating scripture is not an academic exercise but it is staring into a mirror with open eyes. Christianity is knowing, experiencing and living life as Jesus. Just as Jesus was the fullness of God's character, Paul devoted himself to imitating Christ. Jesus calls us to follow him, and Paul commissions us to do the same.

Will others come to know Christ when they come to know me?