Results of Revival - Acts 19:1-12, 18-20

By David Woods

What does true spiritual vitality look like?

One of my favorite novels is Frank Peretti’s The Visitation.  In this book, Peretti weaves a fantastic, but powerful story about a man who appears in a small town in Washington in such a way that people believe he is Jesus.  The signs that accompany this man’s arrival, according to the story, are the result of demonic power.  Yet they appear to be miracles of God.  Peretti’s description of the people’s reaction to these signs is very telling.  Some begin staring at the clouds, determined that they will see a sign from God.  Others rush a crucifix that supposedly cried.  The whole area is whipped up into a fervor.  Yet the people eventually realize that this man was just an imposter.  The supposed miracles wear off.  In the end, those who had followed this false Christ are worse off than before.

Often, false displays of spiritual vitality are not so obvious.  For example, having a revival meeting does not indicate spiritual vitality.  Even good attendance at a revival meeting doesn’t necessarily indicate spiritual vitality.  Shouting, running the aisles, singing songs and testimonies instead of following the normal order of service also do not necessarily indicate spiritual vitality.

In our scripture text, however, we see that the church in Ephesus and the surrounding area were experiencing a period of great spiritual vitality at this time.  Looking at our scripture shows us true characteristics of spiritual vitality.

Big Question: What are key elements of true spiritual vitality?

(Note: The following list is presented according to the order they appear in the scripture among Christians at various faith stages and are NOT necessarily listed according to how these characteristics will become evident in the individual Christian’s life.  Furthermore, this is not necessarily an exhaustive list of the characteristics of spiritual vitality.)

1. Submission to God’s Will, Acts 19:1-7.

Discussion: What was the relationship of these “certain disciples” to God? (ref. Acts 18:24-28)

(They were true believers.  They had confessed their sins to God.  They may not have known much or anything about Jesus, but like the Old Testaments saints they looked forward in faith to the Messiah (Christ), trusting God for salvation.)

Discussion: Why do you think Paul asked these disciples if they had received the Holy Spirit since they had believed?  Do you think this was a standard question he asked believers or did he see or hear something that suggested these disciples were not entirely sanctified?

Discussion: What are some of the things that indicate a believer has not been entirely sanctified?

This verse is very important in understanding that entire sanctification is a second definite of work of grace subsequent to regeneration.  Paul’s question, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” indicates that the gift of the Holy Spirit is received by the believer after he or she is initially saved.

Discussion: What does it mean to be entirely sanctified?  What happens in this work of grace?

(The believer acknowledges his/her nature is corrupted by an inclination to sin, confesses this problem to Christ, asking Him to eradicate carnality from his/her nature and submitting himself/herself totally to Christ, and trusts Christ to do this work.  Christ then cleanses of the believer of inbred sin and the Holy Spirit fills the believer fully, empowering him/her for service and for constant victory over sin.)

2. Passion for God’s Mission, Acts 19:8-10.

     Paul boldly shared the Gospel in the synagogue for three months.  Finally, he realized the Jews were no longer open to hearing the Gospel so he and the disciples relocated to the school of Tyrannus where he continued sharing the Gospel boldly with everyone he could.  The rest of the believers also shared the Gospel boldly with the lost.  The result was that after about two years, the whole region had heard of the Good News.  The Ephesus church’s spiritually vibrancy is displayed in their evangelistic fervor.

Discussion:  By stating that “passion for God’s mission” is a key element of spiritual vitality, the implication is that a church or individual who has little interest or involvement in sharing the Gospel with others is lacking in spiritual vitality.  Is it proper to assume that Christians who are spiritual vibrant will share the Gospel with others?

(Asking the question another way, can a person who is so fearful that he/she will not share the Gospel be said to love Christ with all his/her heart?  We do need to distinguish between fear that originates from human weakness and fear that comes from unbelief.  This writer is concerned, however, that too many Christians hide behind the excuse of human weakness when asked to witness to the lost when the real reason is either a lack of love for God or a lack of love for the lost - or both.)

3. Reverence for God’s Name, Acts 19:11-17.

One of the ways God was blessing and confirming Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was through amazing miracles.  Handkerchiefs that Paul had touched were given to the sick, who were then healed of diseases or had demons leave them.

As often happens in such situations, insincere people try to gain personal glory by associating themselves with God’s work.  The seven sons of Sceva attempted to cast out demons by calling upon Jesus’ name.  They may have even had some success.  But then one evil spirit resisted them, attacked them, so that they fled, naked and bleeding.

Discussion: What are some ways people try to gain personal glory when God moves in our churches?

Discussion: Why do people try to gain personal glory in such situations?

Discussion: Why should we be careful not to rob God of the glory due Him?

When the people of Ephesus heard what had happened to Sceva’s sons, the Bible says “fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”  We often soften this term “fear” to say “reverence.”  Indeed, the Bible does not teach that we should have a cowering, sniveling fear of God.

Discussion: What exactly does it mean to “fear” God?  How does one live in reverence of God?

4. Obedience of God’s Word, Acts 19:18-20.

When the believers saw what had happened to the sons of Sceva, who had treated God’s name lightly, they became much more serious about serving God.  Many of the newer believers, overcome with fear of God, confessed and repented of sinful habits.  Specifically, many of these believers brought their magic arts before the church and burned them.  The value of these items is astonishing.  Beacon Bible Commentary says these fifty thousand pieces of silver would be worth $10,000.[1]

Discussion: Why do you think Christians sometimes hold onto things or practices they know are sinful?

(Some possible answers: They don’t want the money they spent on that item to go to waste, they may still have a fascination with whatever it is, they may be afraid to believe that God can truly satisfy all their desires, etc.)

Discussion: How does holding on the sinful habits, etc. rob the Christian of spiritual vitality?

(Some possible answers: It takes up time the Christian could have used for God, these things compete for one’s affection, one’s witness and spiritual authority is lost by one’s lack of integrity, etc.)

Reflection: How does your life measure up according to these key elements of spiritual vitality,