June 27
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PAUL IN EPHESUS
A poem by ILMA
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled until he reached Ephesus
He found several believers and asked if they received the Holy Spirit
And they said that they haven’t heard who is this person he is mentioning
He also asked the people what kind of baptism they have experienced.
They told Paul that they have received John’s baptism
He reminded them that John talked about the baptism of Jesus
As soon as the people heard it, they were baptized in his name
The Holy Spirit came upon them when Paul laid his hands on them.
Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next months
He argued persuasively about the kingdom of God but some were stubborn
They rejected his message publicly speaking against the Way
Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him.
He held the daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus for the next two years
The people throughout the province of Asia both Greeks and Jews heard the truth
God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracle even with objects he touched
Some Jews tried to do what Paul did, but was attacked by the evil spirits themselves.
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MEMORY VERSE
But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” – Acts 19:15
Read: Acts 19
Ephesus was considered the second largest populated area of the Roman Empire. In the first century B.C. the city had a population of more than 250,000, making Ephesus the second largest city in the known world. It was famous for possessing a Temple dedicated to a pagan goddess named Diana. Wasn’t it amazing to know that Paul did many unusual miracles in a city where they were idolizing other gods? Many people became believers.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God used Paul to do unusual miracles in a city where much idolatry and unbelief prevailed?