保罗在以弗所传道

19 当亚波罗在哥林多时,保罗已取道内陆重回以弗所,在那里遇见几个门徒。 保罗问他们:“你们信的时候有没有领受圣灵?”

他们说:“没有!我们从来没有听过圣灵的事。”

保罗说:“那么,你们受的是什么洗礼呢?”

他们说:“是约翰的洗礼。”

保罗说:“约翰的洗礼是悔改的洗礼,约翰告诉百姓要信在他以后来的那位——耶稣。”

他们听后,立刻奉主耶稣的名受了洗。 保罗把手按在他们身上时,圣灵便降在他们身上,他们就说方言,讲上帝的信息。 这次共有十二个人。

保罗一连三个月勇敢地在会堂里传道,与人辩论上帝国的事,劝导他们。 可是有些人仍然顽固不信,还当众毁谤上帝的道。保罗便带着门徒离开他们,天天在推喇奴的学堂辩论。 10 这样持续了两年,亚细亚全境的居民,无论是犹太人还是希腊人,都听见了主的道。 11 上帝又借着保罗的手行了一些非凡的神迹, 12 甚至只要将保罗身上的手帕或围裙放在病人身上,病人就痊愈了,邪灵也会离开所附的人。

13 那时,有几个走江湖的犹太术士也想用耶稣的名赶鬼,他们向那些被邪灵附身的人说:“我奉保罗所传讲的耶稣之名,命令你们出来!” 14 做这事的有犹太祭司长士基瓦的七个儿子。

15 邪灵回答说:“耶稣,我认识;保罗,我也知道。但你们是谁?” 16 被邪灵附身的人随即扑向他们,攻击他们,制服了他们,使他们赤着身子带着伤从屋里逃走了。

17 全以弗所的犹太人和希腊人知道了这件事,都惊惧不已。主耶稣的名因此大受尊崇。 18 许多已经信耶稣的人都前来认罪,公开承认自己的恶行。 19 又有许多行邪术的人把他们的书堆在一起,当众焚烧。根据当时的估价,这些书约值五万银币。 20 主的道就这样传开了,大大兴旺起来。

21 这些事以后,保罗决定经过马其顿和亚该亚回到耶路撒冷。他说:“到了那里之后,我必须去罗马看看。” 22 于是,他派提摩太和以拉都两位同工先去马其顿,自己暂时留在亚细亚。

以弗所的骚乱

23 就在这时,由于主的道,以弗所又起了很大的骚乱。 24 一个名叫底米丢的银匠以制造亚底米女神银龛为业,使从事这门生意的工匠获利丰厚。 25 他召集了工匠和同行的人,说:“各位都知道我们靠这一行发财, 26 可是你们都看到了,也听见了,那个保罗在以弗所和亚细亚全境说服、误导了许多人,说什么人手所造的不是神。 27 这样下去,不但我们的行业会遭人贬抑,连亚底米女神庙也会被人轻看,甚至全亚细亚及普世尊崇的女神也会威严扫地!”

28 众人听后,怒气填胸,高声喊叫:“以弗所人的亚底米女神真伟大!” 29 全城陷入一片混乱。众人抓住保罗的两个同伴——马其顿人该犹和亚里达古,拖着他们冲进戏院。 30 保罗想进去,但门徒不许他去。 31 他的好友——亚细亚的几位官员也派人劝他别冒险进入戏院。

32 这时,戏院里面的人都在大喊大叫,混乱不堪。其实大部分人根本不知道自己为什么聚在那里。 33 这时,人群中的犹太人把亚历山大推到前面,请他解释。亚历山大举手示意大家安静,听他发言。 34 但众人认出他是个犹太人,便又开始一起高呼:“以弗所人的亚底米女神真伟大!”这样喊了两个小时。

35 最后,城里的书记官出面调停,说:“各位以弗所市民,谁不知道以弗所城守护着亚底米女神庙和从宙斯那里掉下来的神像呢? 36 既然这是无可否认的事实,你们就该安静,不可鲁莽行事。 37 你们带来的这些人既没有偷庙里的东西,也没有亵渎我们的女神。 38 如果底米丢和他的同行要控告谁,大可到法庭或总督那里提出诉讼。 39 倘若你们还有其他的要求,也可以通过合法的会议解决。 40 今天的骚乱实在没有道理,难免会被查问,到时候我们很难交代。” 41 说完,便叫众人散去。

19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

And all the men were about twelve.

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

21 After 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 also see Rome.

22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether [a]the Holy Spirit was given. And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John’s baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And they were in all about twelve men.

And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special [b]miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out. 13 But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I [c]know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. 19 And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

21 Now after 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 also see Rome. 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

23 And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of [d]Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen; 25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth. 26 And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands: 27 and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess [e]Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and [f]the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is [g]Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel. 30 And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain also of the [h]Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 [i]And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defence unto the people. 34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is [j]Diana of the Ephesians. 35 And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great [k]Diana, and of the image which fell down from [l]Jupiter? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. 37 For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, [m]the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. 39 But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger to be [n]accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse. 41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 19:2 Or, there is a Holy Spirit
  2. Acts 19:11 Greek powers.
  3. Acts 19:15 Or, recognize
  4. Acts 19:24 Greek Artemis.
  5. Acts 19:27 Greek Artemis.
  6. Acts 19:27 Greek the inhabited earth.
  7. Acts 19:28 Greek Artemis.
  8. Acts 19:31 That is, officers having charge of festivals etc. in the Roman province of Asia.
  9. Acts 19:33 Or, And some of the multitude instructed Alexander
  10. Acts 19:34 Greek Artemis.
  11. Acts 19:35 Greek Artemis.
  12. Acts 19:35 Or, heaven
  13. Acts 19:38 Or, court days are kept
  14. Acts 19:40 Or, accused of riot concerning this day