Many that believed

Bible Reading: Acts 18:19-19:41

Acts 19:18-20 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

The Word of God had a mighty effect in Ephesus. Magic and sorcery were very popular in that day. The worship of false gods was everywhere. The Ephesians had a special affinity to the false goddess Diana. When the apostles preached the gospel there, many believed. The Bible tells us that they were open about their faith. It was not some secret decision that they made and no one knew about. They confessed Christ openly and they showed their deeds.

The Word of God brought with it change. When the Holy Spirit moves in, he begins to clean house of all things that do not bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ.

There were people who were involved with 'curious arts'. They were practitioners of magic and they had grim-ores or magic books that contained spells and enchantments. These they brought out and burned openly.

The Bible tells us:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

When a person believes on Jesus, they have a new nature, a new life, a new master, a new love and a new purpose. The old has passed away and all things have become new. We must learn the lesson from these ex-witches. When they trusted in Jesus, they parted with the old life of practicing 'curious arts'. They were new and they cleaned house with the old.

Thank you Jesus, for the new life that does not need magic, ritual or idolatry! We know the Creator! We know the redeemer! We know Jesus!

In Christ,
Rody