Paul continued his second missionary journey among the Biblically ignorant and spiritually confused. He dealt with the disciples who claimed “John’s baptism” (v.3) but had never heard of the Holy Ghost—one of the main themes of John’s preaching (see Mark 1:6-8). We read about “vagabond Jews” (v.13) who attempted to cast out evil spirits in the name of Jesus and are cast out themselves (v.14-16).
What was Paul’s solution to this mess? He taught the word of God—for two years in Ephesus alone (v.10). As a result, the confused disciples were corrected, “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (v.10) and many took their occult books and burned them (v.19). And so “mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (v.20).
In times of confusion and apostasy, the answer is still to be found in a return to the plain teaching and preaching of God’s word. What are you doing to learn God’s precious Bible? Why is it so important that we immerse ourselves in the Bible in these times? Are you having a part in teaching God’s word to others?
