BIBL 104 Application

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Liberty University *

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201920

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Religion

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Apr 3, 2024

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BIBL 104 B IBLE S TUDY P ROJECT : A PPLICATION T EMPLATE Passage: Acts 19:11-22 What points of application can be made using the “Four Questions for Application?” State and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (200-300 words) in length, clearly connected to a part of this passage (by way of a verse quotation and/or citation), specific to this passage, and relevant. 1. The Question of Duty In Act 19.11-22, Paul demonstrates Christian duty to spread the word of God. In Mark 16.15, Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” ( New International Version ). Paul fulfilled this duty by ministering to Ephesus. The city of Ephesus has a central location in Asia minor that provides the ideal spot to minister the news of Jesus and rapidly spread as God intended ( Zondervan Handbook to the Bible , p. 664). Paul had a significant impact on the diverse people of Ephesus. The profound effect he had in the city is shown in Acts 19.20 which says, “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” ( NIV ). Paul is fulfilling Jesus’ message, and it is a reminder for fellow Christians to do the same. Despite this massive achievement in Ephesus, Paul later stayed to continue his ministry as it is stated in Acts 19.22, “while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.” ( NIV ). This suggests Paul’s commitment to evangelize and continue progress in teaching the people of Ephesus the word of God. This shows the duty all Christians have to spread God’s word and help others in their journey of faith. 2. The Question of Character In the passage of Act 19.11-22, the faith and devotion of Christian followers is displayed through the people of Ephesus. When confronted with the fact that Paul is acting for the one true God and speaks truth, the people of Ephesus become devoted followers. This is conveyed in Acts 19.18, “Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done.” ( NIV ). They stood publicly and acknowledged that they were not living according to God, and they took drastic measure to show their faith. In Acts 19.19, it continues to say, “A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.” ( NIV ). The people of Ephesus took a bold stance to express their faith which is an example for all Christians. The city of Ephesus was notorious for its worship of the goddess Artemis, and its economy thrived off making false idols out of silver ( Zondervan Handbook to the Bible , p. 663-664). Because people destroyed expensive items that contradicted God, it shows that they put God before everything else including money. They show Christians how to go all in when showing belief in God.

BIBL 104 3. The Question of Goals The passage of Acts 19.11-22 displays two contrasting examples of motivations with Paul and others in Ephesus, especially the seven sons of Sceva. Paul is fulfilling God’s plan to evangelize, and as a result, God is working through Paul to show that he is teaching the truth. It is said in Acts 19.11 that “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,” ( NIV ). Paul is motivated to serve the Lord through faith alone. This is contrasted by the misleading motives of others trying to imitate Paul. In Acts 19.13, it is said that “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon- possessed.” ( NIV ). It is notable that it is says “tried,” but as shown with the seven sons of Sceva, that it is not done with honesty and pure intent. They are dishonestly imitating Paul to perform an act equivalent to a magic trick. Thus, when it comes to goals, followers need to question their hearts and examine their motives. Are their motivations pure in serving the Lord like Paul? Or are they more distorted like the seven sons of Sceva where they do not believe in God’s authority? 4. The Question of Discernment In Acts 19.11-22, God is working through Paul to demonstrate his sovereignty as the one divine power. This is exemplified in the verse of Acts 19.15 which states, “One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I Know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?’” (NIV). This demonstrates that Jesus is recognized as the son of God and shows that God is working through Paul to perform miracles. God is the true source of power. The city of Ephesus, where the passage takes place, heavily worshipped other deities especially the goddess Artemis, and the economy of the city thrived from this idolatry ( Zondervan Handbook to the Bible , p.663-664). God’s sovereignty is further emphasized in the passage when the people of Ephesus heard of the events that transpired with the evil spirit. In Acts 19.17, it says that the people both “Jews and Greeks” were “seized with fear” ( NIV ). The prominence of “fear” conveys two ideas. The authority of God being acknowledged, and the recognition that they were not living in accordance with God’s will. Therefore, discernment as it relates to the people in Ephesus is to acknowledge that God is the only true god, and that worshipping anything else is not in accordance with his will.

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