Throughout the spread of Christianity there has always been the dilemma of what to do with a culture’s pre-existing traditions.
On the route to Jerusalem Paul stays with fellow believers in Christian communities. This act has a two-fold purpose, to encourage them in what he considers his final days and for protection from those who would kill him before he is able to complete his quest. He is well received by all believers which speaks highly of his character. He also receives a warning from the Spirit, delivered by every believer he greets, that nothing good awaits him in Jerusalem.
Acts 19.11-2 is a passage that disturbs a lot of Christians. It discusses a practice that was very common in the first century but that is rarely heard of outside of horror movies today. Demonic possession. The very topic of demons and demonology is usually met with raised eyebrows, especially from those outside the family of Jesus. It is met with the same incredulity as fairytales. Yet the bible makes it clear that such entities exist and that at least some of them can possess, or at the very least oppress, humans.
Paul and Apollos probably passed each other on the road without knowing it. When Apollos set off for Corinth from Ephesus, Paul was heading to Ephesus on his third missionary journey. Upon his arrival Acts 19.1-.10) Paul found a group who were in the same position as Apollos had been in, that is they knew of Jesus only up until the time of the death of John the Baptist. These former disciples of John (of which there were a dozen) left Jerusalem and settled in Ephesus. Just as Aquilla and Priscila completed Apollos’ knowledge of the Messiah, so Paul took the disciples of John under his tutelage.
In an effort to understand why the Jews wanted Paul dead, the commanding officer organized a mediation between the parties. He invited the high priests and the heads of the temple religious parties, the Pharisees and Sadducees, along with Paul to meet together and hammer out the details of the case. As a Roman and the accused, Paul was gave the first opening statement, the Jews would then be permitted to make theirs.
The beginning of Acts 20 reveals Paul’s travel plans. Instead of sailing home, he decided to travel across the province of Asia due to a plot against his life. While this was a new plan to kill Paul, it is uncertain if this is a new threat or the same band of Jews who plotted against him in Acts 9.20. It may be that there was a small band of Jews who had no problem taking the law into their own hands. This is more likely than a band of assassins, who would have easily caught up to Paul in Corinth where he stayed for several years, or even Greece where he taught for several months. While they were certainly committed, they were clearly not well funded or connected.
Acts 19 tells the only story of an unsuccessful exorcism in all of Scripture. The seven sons of Sceva tried to invoke the power of the name of Jesus without first preparing properly for the battle. As a result, they were defeated, embarrassed, and luck to escape with their lives. If these Jewish exorcists were so abused, what hope does any Christian have when in the presence of such evil forces?
With Paul on his way back to Antioch Syria the story briefly shifts focus on the activity in Ephesus, where Priscila and Aquilla set up their business. Here we are introduced to a man named Apollos. Born to Jewish parents in Alexandria, Egypt he was raised with a cosmopolitan education. The world famous Library of Alexandria was the home of some of the oldest manuscripts, teachings and documents from around the globe. While we know much about the education of Paul, we must make assumptions about Apollos.
Upon reaching the Roman’s fort Paul asked if you could speak to the commanding officer, who evidently wasn’t well versed in Hebrew. Upon his consent Paul asked the officer, in Greek, if he would prefer to talk in the Greek language. This surprised the officer who, due to the confusion caused by the mob, thought that Paul was a terrorist. Apparently Roman intelligence knew that the terrorist, a member of the famed Sicarii assassins, did not speak Greek.
The effect the brutalization of the sons of Sceva was greater than all the sermons that have ever been preached. Luke tells us that the event became known far and wide in Ephesus causing a great fear and also a great lifting up of the name of Jesus. Many who had been practicing the occult in secret came forward to confess and to leave it behind. They brought with them their scrolls and grimoires and burned them publicly.
Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, begins today at sunset. This Jewish holiday, one of seven feasts instituted by God himself, is a seven or eight day celebration depending on if you are celebrating in Jerusalem or outside Israel. In the distant past it could be difficult to know what day exactly the celebration was held on as, like most of the feasts, it starting day was determined by the phase of the moon. If it were a cloudy night, for example, the moon could not be observed, leading to some allowances for those who could not make the journey to Jerusalem. This year it is celebrated during a blood moon.
Yesterday we read that just before departing Corinth for home Paul shaved his head. Luke cryptically tells us that this was due to a vow. Just what vow was taken, and why would it involve shaving one’s head? It is best to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture whenever possible, and this is a case where it may be possible.