Cases
of Conversion: The Conversion of the Ephesians
In Acts 19, Luke reports of Paul’s trip to Ephesus and their initial conversion. This account should serve as a reminder that it is possible to be sincerely religious but in error all at the same time.
While some assume that “it does not matter what you believe as long as you are sincere” this Scriptural example proves that misinformed religion, no matter how sincere, needs to be corrected.
As Paul arrives in Ephesus, he comes across “disciples” who only knew of John the Baptist and “John’s baptism” (Acts 19:3). In response, Paul exposed their dangerous situation and laid out the path of correction. He says in Acts 19:4, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
After this simple message, the Ephesians
immediately act as written in Acts 19:5, “When they heard this, they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” So, for the church in
Ephesus, conversion to Jesus Christ took place when they left His
forerunner, John the Baptist, and put their complete faith in Jesus
Christ.
Later in the passage, another interesting note is supplied. As with many Christians, the immature Ephesians still needed to mature in their knowledge of God’s Word. This maturation process becomes evident after Paul spends “three months” in the synagogue and another “two years” teaching in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10). In fact, a beautiful example of confession of sin and repentance is found in Acts 19:18-19, “...many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
Even, after our initial conversion there may be times we must turn from our sinful ways to do God’s will.
April 2007