Acts 19:1–17
Soon Paul set off on his third long journey. From Antioch, he traveled by land through his hometown of Tarsus. In time, he arrived back in Ephesus. For three months, Paul argued in the synagogue about God’s kingdom. Finally, some people said evil things about God’s way. So Paul and the believers began to meet in Tyrannus’s auditorium. This went on for two years. Everyone living in Asia heard the Lord’s word. The Jews heard the truth and so did the Greeks.
God did amazing miracles through Paul. If someone who was sick touched his handkerchief, they were healed. At that time, there were people who pretended to heal the sick. So they tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus. Sceva’s seven sons once spoke to an evil spirit. “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches,” they declared.
“I know Jesus,” said the spirit. “I know Paul, too. But who are you?” And the man with the evil spirit leaped on them. He beat them badly. The seven men ran from the house naked and bleeding. Everyone in Ephesus heard of this. They were awestruck, and the name of Jesus was praised.
Questions: Why did Paul begin to meet in Tyrannus’s auditorium? What did the evil spirit say to Sceva’s seven sons?