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life。 In token of this change； and as an acknowledgment of their faith in
Christ； they were rebaptized in the name of Jesus。
As was his custom； Paul had begun his work at Ephesus by preaching in the
synagogue of the Jews。 He continued to labor there for three months；
〃disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God。〃 At
first he met with a favorable reception； but as in other fields； he was soon
violently opposed。 〃Divers were hardened； and believed not； but spake evil
of that way before the multitude。〃 As they persisted in their rejection of
the gospel； the apostle ceased to preach in the synagogue。
The Spirit of God had wrought with and through Paul in his labors for his
countrymen。 Sufficient evidence had been presented to convince all who
honestly desired to know the truth。 But many permitted themselves to be
controlled by prejudice and unbelief； and refused to yield
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to the most conclusive evidence。 Fearing that the faith of the believers
would be endangered by continued association with these opposers of the
truth； Paul separated from them and gathered the disciples into a distinct
body； continuing his public instructions in the school of Tyrannus； a
teacher of some note。
Paul saw that 〃a great door and effectual〃 was opening before him； although
there were 〃many adversaries。〃
1 Corinthians 16：9。 Ephesus was not only the most
magnificent； but the most corrupt； of the cities of Asia。 Superstition and
sensual pleasure held sway over her teeming population。 Under the shadow of
her temples； criminals of every grade found shelter； and the most degrading
vices flourished。
Ephesus was a popular center for the worship of Diana。 The fame of the
magnificent temple of 〃Diana of the Ephesians〃 extended throughout all Asia
and the world。 Its surpassing splendor made it the pride； not only of the
city； but of the nation。 The idol within the temple was declared by
tradition to have fallen from the sky。 Upon it were inscribed symbolic
characters； which were believed to possess great power。 Books had been
written by the Ephesians to explain the meaning and use of these symbols。
Among those who gave close study to these costly books were many magicians；
who wielded a powerful influence over the minds of the superstitious
worshipers of the image within the temple。
The apostle Paul； in his labors at Ephesus； was given special tokens of
divine favor。 The power of God accompanied his efforts； and many were healed
of physical
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maladies。 〃God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul： so that from
his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons； and the
diseases departed from them； and the evil spirits went out of them。〃 These
manifestations of supernatural power were far more potent than had ever
before been witnessed in Ephesus； and were of such a character that they
could not be imitated by the skill of the juggler or the enchantments of the
sorcerer。 As these miracles were wrought in the name of Jesus of Nazareth；
the people had opportunity to see that the God of heaven was more powerful
than the magicians who were worshipers of the goddess Diana。 Thus the Lord
exalted His servant； even before the idolaters themselves； immeasurably
above the most powerful and favored of the magicians。
But the One to whom all the spirits of evil are subject and who had given
His servants authority over them； was about to bring still greater shame and
defeat upon those who despised and profaned His holy name。 Sorcery had been
prohibited by the Mosaic law； on pain of death； yet from time to time it had
been secretly practiced by apostate Jews。 At the time of Paul's visit to
Ephesus there were in the city 〃certain of the vagabond Jews； exorcists；〃
who； seeing the wonders wrought by him； 〃took upon them to call over them
which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus。〃 An attempt was made by
〃seven sons of one Sceva； a Jew； and chief of the priests。〃 Finding a man
possessed with a demon； they addressed him； 〃We adjure you by Jesus whom
Paul preacheth。〃 But 〃the evil spirit answered
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and said； Jesus I know； and Paul I know； but who are ye？ And the man in whom
the evil spirit was leaped on them； and overcame them； and prevailed against
them； so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded。〃
Thus unmistakable proof was given of the sacredness of the name of Christ；
and the peril which they incurred who should invoke it without faith in the
divinity of the Saviour's mission。 〃Fear fell on them all； and the name of
the Lord Jesus was magnified。〃
Facts which had previously been concealed were now brought to light。 In
accepting Christianity； some of the believers had not fully renounced their
superstitions。 To some extent they still continued the practice of magic。
Now； convinced of their error； 〃many that believed came； and confessed； and
showed their deeds。〃 Even to some of the sorcerers themselves the good work
extended； and 〃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。 So mightily grew the
word of God and prevailed。〃
By burning their books on magic； the Ephesian converts showed that the
things in which they had once delighted they now abhorred。 It was by and
through magic that they had especially offended God and imperiled their
souls； and it was against magic that they showed such indignation。 Thus they
gave evidence of true conversion。
These treatises on divination contained rules and forms of communication
with evil spirits。 They were the regulations of the worship of
Satandirections for soliciting his
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help and obtaining information from him。 By retaining these books the
disciples would have exposed themselves to temptation； by selling them they
would have placed temptation in the way of others。 They had renounced the
kingdom of darkness； and to destroy its power they did not hesitate at any
sacrifice。 Thus truth triumphed over men's prejudices and their love of
money。
By this manifestation of the power of Christ； a mighty victory for
Christianity was gained in the very stronghold of superstition。 The
influence of what had taken place was more widespread than even Paul
realized。 From Ephesus the news was widely circulated； and a strong impetus
was given to the cause of Christ。 Long after the apostle himself had
finished his course； these scenes lived in the memory of men and were the
means of winning converts to the gospel。
It is fondly supposed that heathen superstitions have disappeared before the
civilization of the twentieth century。 But the word of God and the stern
testimony of facts declare that sorcery is practiced in this age as verily
as in the days of the old…time magicians。 The ancient system of magic is； in
reality； the same as what is now known as modern spiritualism。 Satan is
finding access to thousands of minds by presenting himself under the guise
of departed friends。 The