The Traveling Tentmaker
What a Riot!
Viewing Acts Chapter 18 & 19
Prepared by: Soon Siak. July 2010
14th National SPM BK Inter-School Quiz 2010 SMK Canossian Convent, Kluang
14th National SPM BK Inter-School Quiz 2010
14th National SPM BK Inter-School Quiz 2010
14th National SPM BK Inter-School Quiz 2010
14th National
SPM BK InterSchool Quiz
2010
What’s My Line?
Two teams. Select 5 cards each. Guess
the occupation written at the top of each
card. But the person giving the clues can’t
say any of the words listed under the
occupation. One minute to give clues.
One point for correct guess but one point
to the other team for any forbidden words
spoken.
Paul at Corinth
In addition to being a missionary, Paul was
a tentmaker.
Why do you think Paul spent some time as
a tentmaker in addition to all the preaching
he did (v1-4)?
He didn’t want to be a financial burden on
others. (Acts 20:34; I Thess 2:9; II Thess
3:8). He didn’t want to be accused of “being
in it for the money,” either. He also might
have enjoyed working with his hands and
working with his friends. This shows we
can serve God in many types of work.
Paul’s Helpers (Chapter 18)
SPM 1999(B), 2001(B), 2003(A), 2005(A),
2008(B), 2010? – Hot topic about Aquila,
Priscilla, Apollos (pg ix & x)
Their role and contribution.
 How have they helped Paul and Apollos
(for A & P)?
Notes: - A&P met Paul at Corinth. (v1-2)
“Halau” by Emperor Claudius
A&P met Apollos at Ephesus (v24)

Paul at Corinth
When Silas and Timothy rejoined Paul
(17:14), he returned to full-time preaching
and teaching. He was again opposed by
many of the Jews in the synagogue. Paul
himself was from a highly educated Jewish
background. How do you think he felt when
his fellow Hebrews wouldn’t listen to him
(v5,6)?
He grew very frustrated and followed his
usual pattern of then turning to the Gentiles
in the area.
Paul at Corinth
How far did he have travel to find some
ready listeners (v7,8)?
Next door
Can you think of anyone “next door” (in
your immediate neighbourhood) who may
not have heard the good news about
Jesus? How about “next door” to your
desk at school? How about “next door” to
other places you go on a regular basis?
Paul at Corinth
Paul’s job must have been a lonely onealways standing in opposition to the
crowd and moving from town to town.
What happened in Corinth to change that,
at least for a while (v9-11)?
God let him know how much he was
needed there, and Paul ended up staying
for a year and a half.
SPM 1999,2001,3,5,8
Note Paul’s experience in Corinth.
Note the background of the couple,
Aquila and Priscilla (pg 66Q2 & A79)
and the contributions they made to the
church growth; to Paul and to Apollos.
*(pg 67Q1-5 & A81-82)
Note the place where they met Apollos.
*role & importance of Apollos – SPM2010?
Paul charged Before Gallio
But eventually, the same thing happened
that happened elsewhere - Paul’s
opponents made trouble for him. This
time they took him to court (v12,13). Paul
didn’t even get to give his defense this
time. Why not (v14-17)?
Before he had the opportunity, the
proconsul threw the case out of court.
Paul charged Before Gallio
When Paul was freed, who “took the rap”
instead?
Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler, was
beaten. Perhaps he had replaced Crispus,
the synagogue leader whom Paul had
just led to Christianity (v8). And, unable
to bring a case against Paul, he received
the effects of the dissatisfaction of his
peers.
Paul Journeys from Corinth to Jerusalem
From Corinth, Paul went on his way,
passing through Ephesus and other
cities (v18-23). How would you describe
Paul’s attitude about the future, based on
verse 21?
He realised that all his plans were subject
to God’s will.
Phew! What
a fantastic
journey!
Paul has
come to an
end of his
second
mission trip
(18:22; see
pg xiv).
Apollos at Ephesus
Meanwhile, another teacher came to
Ephesus. What kind of person was this
man, Apollos (v24-28)? What were his
strengths and weaknesses?
He seemed very much like Paul in
training, knowledge of Scripture, and
bold speaking style. His beliefs needed a
little shaping, but Priscilla and Aquila
helped take care of that.
Who are the Priscillas and Aquilas in
your life-people who help explain things
about God to you (v26)?
What a Riot!
This chapter starts with some people
who thought they were disciples, but
who didn’t know about the Holy Spirit.
Trying to be a Christian without the
Holy Spirit is as pointless as trying to
use a flashlight without batteries,
driving a car without petrol, or drinking
teh-tarik without the “tarik”.
Paul Returns to Ephesus
What’s the most supernatural thing that’s ever
happened to you, or that you’ve heard
happened to someone else?
This chapter contains many supernatural
events.
As Paul was on his third missionary journey,
he found some people who knew about the
baptism of John the Baptist, but not about
being baptised in the name of Jesus (v1-7).
What’s the difference?
John’s baptism only involved repentance, or
turning away from sin. Being baptised in the
name of Jesus also involves living for Him
within the power of the Holy Spirit.
Growth of the Word in Ephesus
What can prevent the Holy Spirit from
working in someone’s life (v8-10)?
People can become “obstinate” and
refuse to believe, even in the light of
persuasive teaching about God’s truth.
Special Miracles Wrought by Paul
What do you make of verses 11 and 12?
Even handkerchiefs and aprons that
touched Paul somehow “carried” healing
power to people who were sick or
possessed by evil spirits. This sounds
amazing, but it’s evidence of the Holy
Spirit’s role in Paul’s ministry.
SPM 2002, 5
The Seven Sons of Sceva
Yet the Holy Spirit is God, and not some
magician’s trick to be manipulated. How
do the next few verses bear this out (v1316)?
The evil spirit refused to recognise the
authority of those who tried to drive it
out, and caused the man it possessed to
beat them severely, leaving them naked
and bleeding. This should serve a strong
warning against dabbling in occult
practices.
The Seven Sons of Sceva
When it became known that the power of
the Holy Spirit could not be faked or
manipulated, what was the result (v1720)?
People had a new and instant respect for
Christianity, confessing their sins and
burning their occult materials.
Magic Magic (Chapter 19)
The Seven Sons of Sceva
SPM 1993(B), 1998(B), 2000(A), 2002(B) &
2005(B) same questions!, 2006(B), 2010?
 The boo-boo they did and the effects on the
Ephesians
Extraordinary miracles by Paul
SPM 2002(B) & 2005(B) same questions!
Havoc by the silversmith, Demetrius
SPM 1998(A)
 What happened? who involved?
Conclusion?
First
mention of
the intense
desire of
Paul to
preach the
Gospel at
Rome while
Paul was at
Ephesus
(v21-22)
Outbreak of the Silversmiths
While some of the people in Ephesus became
believers, others were threatened. Why (v2327)?
Craftsmen who sold idols were afraid that
Christianity would put them out of business.
What happened when these men expressed
their concern (v28-34)?
Pandemonium broke out. Paul’s friends tried to
keep him hidden, so the rowdy crowd picked
on his friends instead. Every time someone
tried to calm the people, they would chant their
devotion to the goddess Artemis.
Outbreak of the Silversmiths
What do you think the crowd wanted?
They wanted to create the impression that Paul
(and Christianity) might be a threat to the city’s
lifestyle, and after the riot there was little
chance for Paul to be taken seriously.
After chanting for two straight hours, what put
an end to this hubbub (v35-41)?
The city clerk simply stated the rights of the
Ephesian tradesmen as well as the rights of
Paul and his friends. Then everyone went
home.
BURN IT, or BOW DOWN TO IT?
In Acts 19:19, a bunch of Christians decided it was
wrong to have books about the occult, so they
burned them. The total value of the scrolls they
burned was 50,000 drachmas. Each drachma was
worth one day’s wages – so that’s about 140 years’
worth of wages! There must have been a lot of
people, a lot of scrolls, or both.
BURN IT, or BOW DOWN TO IT?
In the flames below, imagine those things that might keep you
from truly following Jesus. This might include certain types of
music, reading material, attitudes, movies, bad habits –
anything you need to get rid of. Whether or not you actually
“burn” these things is up to you.
SPM 1993, 98, 2000, 2, 5, 6
Describe the following incidents:
 The encounter of the seven sons of Sceva. (6 marks)
 The deliverance of the slave girl by Paul. (see
chapter 16)
(7 marks)
Comment on the power of the Gospel over evil
spirits as seen in these incidents.
(2 marks)
Announcements
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Prepare for BK SPM 2008 by participating in the
12th SPM Inter-school Quiz 2008!
SPM BK Quiz – teams of two students (both F5,
or F4 or F5&F4)
BK08 – individual participation (any student from
F1 – F6/College students)
SPM BK Quiz: Luke and Acts (GNB).
BK08: The speeches of the apostle Paul and
Peter in the Book of Acts. (GNB)
2nd August, 2008 at SMJK Katholik PJ, 7am-1pm
More details: www.su.org.my and www.tcfmy.org
Organised by the Malayan Christian Schools’
Council