496-497 : Pauls Third Journey :YEAR 0054
God worked special miracles through the hands of Paul,
so that handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick,
and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Then certain Jews took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We command you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."
They were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, who did so.
But the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know. But who are you?"
And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them and overcame them,
so that they fled naked and wounded.
This was known to all the Jews and Greeks dwelling at Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all,
and the name of the Lord Jesus was praised.
And many that believed came and confessed and told of their evil deeds.
Many of them also who used magic 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.
So mightily did the word of God grow and prevail.
THE SILVERSMITHS' REVOLT
But at this time, there arose no small stir in Ephesus.
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines for diana,
called together the workmen of like occupation and said, "Sirs, you know that by this craft we have our wealth.
Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia,
this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people saying that there be no gods which are made with hands.
"So not only is our craft in danger, but also the temple of the great goddess diana is in danger of being despised and her magnificence of being destroyed, she whom all Asia and the world worships."
When they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying,
!'Great is diana of the Ephesians."
And the whole city was in uproar, and having caught two of Paul's companions in travel,
they rushed with one accord into the theatre, where some cried one thing and some another.
For the assembly was confused and most knew not why they had come together.
When the town clerk had quieted the people, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is there that knows not how the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess diana, and of the image which fell down from
jupiter?
Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. For you have brought here these men who are neither robbers of the temple nor
even blasphemers of your goddess.
"Therefore if Demetrius and the craftsmen which are with him have a matter against any man,
the law is open and there are deputies.
Let them bring charges against one another.
But if you inquire anything concerning other matters, it shall be settled in a lawful assembly.
For we are in danger of being called in question for this day's uproar,
there being no cause whereby we may give a justification for this meeting."
And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
After the uproar had ceased,
Paul called to him the disciples and embraced them and departed to go into Macedonia.
From there he went into Greece where he stayed three months.
And when his enemies laid in wait for him, as he was about to sail to Syria,
he returned through Macedonia instead.
From there he went to Troas where he stayed for seven days.
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