THE SPIRIT OF EVANGELISM

Paul and the men and women whom he taught and trained to work in the ministry really worked on the continent of Asia. They planted churches and periodically revisited them to see how they fared in the gospel. Paul had great concern for the disposition of those whom he raised up to preach the Word of God. He wanted so much for all of his leaders to have the same sentiment toward the gospel as he did. He passed down to them the purpose of God and a life that demonstrated that purpose. He believed that the Sons of God were created in the righteousness of God unto good works. He tried to disciple this mind into those who followed him. When he was unable to physically go to the churches, he sent letters or epistles that expressed his concern for their spiritual well being. He rebuked, chastened and encouraged. He was uncompromising and relentless in his attempt to bring them into the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ESTABLISHING THE CHURCH AT CORINTH:

Paul left Athens, Greece and went to Corinth where he met Aquila, the tentmaker. He lived with him and his wife. Silas and Timothy met Paul in Corinth and Paul entered the synagogue of the Jews and declared that Jesus was the Christ. The Jews blasphemed the gospel and Paul responded by shaking his clothes and declaring that he would take the Word to the Gentiles. Here we see Paul walking in the instructions of the Holy Ghost. There are those who will resist the gospel when they hear it. Jesus instructed the disciples in St. Matthew 10:14, And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. We have to be led by the Spirit and not feel like we have not done what God has sent us to do, in the face of opposition. All will not receive these words of life. But there are others who will receive it gladly. Crispus, chief ruler of the synagogue had become a believer and because of him many Jews also believed. Now after this conversion the Lord spoke to Paul and told him not to hold his peace because He had many people in that city. God was with Paul and no man was able to hurt him. Paul continued there for one year and six months preaching and teaching the Word of God.

When Gallio became governor of Achaia the Jews rose up against Paul and brought him before Gallio. The accusation was that Paul had persuaded men to worship God contrary to the Law. Here again Paul is experiencing great opposition while preaching but in this instance the Holy Ghost instructed him to stay and be fervent in ministering the gospel. As a result there were many souls who followed Christ. God knew the hearts of those who would hear the Word and their hearts would be pricked to repentance. So we must always be instructed by the Holy Ghost when evangelizing because He knows those who are called by God! The end of the matter was that the Greeks, who wanted to hear the gospel, took Sosthenes who had become the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him. Paul remained in Corinth for yet a while longer and then departed with Aquila and Pricilla for Ephesus. Note that the Lord’s Word was true. No man harmed Paul in that city and many, many souls were saved there.

ESTABLISHING THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS:

Paul landed at Ephesus and entered into their synagogue and preached to the Jews. They wanted him to remain with them longer but he was determined to be in Jerusalem during the Passover and sailed to Ephesus.

Acts 18:22-24

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

A new warrior comes on the scene, Apollos, the Jew.

Acts 18:25-28

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

There is much to be learned in studying the ministry of Apollos. He was already powerful in the Word and fervent in Spirit. He was a believer in the message John brought concerning the coming of the Messiah. However, he only knew John’s baptism. He had not yet received the baptism of Christ. Many in the church need to take heed to this seeing as how there are those who are of the same sort today. They believe but are not filled with the Spirit. Note also that because of the lack of the infilling of the Holy Ghost, Apollos could only minister to a certain level. With all his fervency he was still standing in the flesh trying to minister a gospel that can only be discerned by the Spirit. He meant well and was sincere in his quest to tell the world of Jesus, but that was not enough. He needed to hear the Word from some other evangelists who had a complete message.

St. Matthew 5:6

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

God discerned the disposition of Apollos’ spirit and sent Aquila and Pricilla to instruct him more perfectly. It is good to note also that Apollos was able to humble himself and receive from those who might not have been as outstanding in ministry as him. It was this humility that qualified him to hear a more perfect Word. Because the disposition of his character was of such, he was able to multiply in wisdom and might. The Lord was able to work with him.

The elders at Ephesus sent letters of recommendation to the church at Corinth regarding this young apostle. Apollos was tenacious in Corinth. He was neither afraid nor ashamed. He preached to the Jews publicly. However, he stayed with the written Word, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. This proves that it is not the mind of God for us to regard the heresies of men in the Body of Christ. Tradition has conditioned its preachers not to step on the toes of other ministers in their own house. The Holy Ghost does not regard the personage of men nor their doctrines. He will use men and women to challenge error in the Body, not just privately but publicly as well. Paul kept his word and returned to Ephesus. By this time Apollos had left and gone to Corinth. But the first people Paul encountered in Ephesus were disciples who had not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

When Paul inquired of this, they informed him that they had been baptized unto John’s baptism, not even knowing anything about the Holy Ghost. But remember these were disciples preaching Christ. They were not baptized by John but were baptized unto John’s baptism of repentance. This was the message Apollos preached before he met Aquila and Priscilla and these men were even as Apollos, washed in the Word but not born of the Spirit. It is very conceivable that Apollos might have ministered to them, seeing as how this would be as far as he could have taken them.

Look at the faithfulness of God. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled. Paul did not have to do anything other than deliver the good news. Their hearts were open to receive whatever God had to say, through whomever He wanted to use to say it, Paul was able to lay hands on people that they might receive the Holy Ghost. He supplied that which he was compacted with. Paul immediately went into the synagogue at Ephesus and taught there for about three months. Then came tremendous opposition from the Jews.

Acts 19:9-10

9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Because of the opposition in the synagogues (Jewish churches), Paul began to teach in the school of Tyrannus. The scriptures do not tell us what Tyrannus was teaching at the school before Paul came, but we do know that it became a school of ministry for the next two years. This is our prototype. Paul’s school of ministry was the most effective evangelistic tool in that region. It was neutral turf. The apostle dispenses the mystery to all those who are willing to attend, both Jews and Greeks. People from all over the continent of Asia heard of the wisdom Paul taught at the school and did whatever they had to do to attend. He discipled them into the mind of Christ and sent them forth to evangelize the rest of the world. We are blessed to be a part of such a movement. The same Spirit who invaded a traditional theological or philosophical seminary and was able to bring life to its students is able to do the same today. What we are doing today at the Mary Banks Global Training Center is part of an ancient plan. We should proclaim in every community the presence of the Training Center. We can do the same thing today that Paul and his staff did nearly two thousand years ago. It worked then and it will work now.

Acts 19:11-12

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 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.

The excellency of the power is of God and not of us. God was working with Paul and using him to do His will. When this is the case, the devil will oftentimes seek to imitate the power of God for the purpose of controlling the people who seek after God. It is also the purpose of men to have the preeminence in the lives of the people. Pride, image and greed are extreme motivations for emulating the men and women of God.

Acts 19:13

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

But we must maintain our integrity in the gospel. It is the Word and power of God. He is capable of vindicating Himself.

Acts 19:14-16

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16 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.

The true Sons of God are not spiritual vagabonds vacillating in and out of the Spirit. They are known by the powers of darkness. The Spirit of Evangelism is a living force and the power to displace the enemy. Satan does not fear that which is not God, for all that is not of God belongs to him. The attack on the sons of Sceva was merely a chastening in which Satan rebuked his own. When the evil spirit declared that it knew Jesus and Paul, it was referring to the fact that they are of God and are indeed able to command him. But these spirits also recognized that the sons of Sceva were mere men standing in the flesh, attempting to command a power that was beyond them.

Acts 19:17-20

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19 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.

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

When the Holy Ghost is moving in a city it will cause those things that were done in the dark to come to the light. It will cut away all the devices of the enemy and cause men and women to denounce the works of the devil. What we see in the passages above is a battle that was won in the spirit world being manifested in the natural. We must expect no less as we move into evangelism. We must look to subdue the enemy in the lives of the people on a massive scale as well as one on one. As we continue to study the Spirit of Evangelism, we will find that Paul and those who worked with him were consistent in prayer. They had prayer meetings relentlessly. This is where the battle is won. Prayer and holiness are an unstoppable force.

ANOTHER BATTLE WITH THE ENEMY

Paul decided to remain in Ephesus awhile longer. But he sent Timothy and Erastus back to Macedonia.

Acts 19:23-27

23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

The preaching of the gospel is capable of destroying certain economic stabilities. This was certainly the case in Ephesus. Thus the apostle and his leaders must encounter the wrath of those who are adversely affected by their ministry. This is universal. The preaching of the gospel has become offensive to those who control secular television. Things pertaining to God are considered ignorance and stupidity. Because of it our freedom to worship and express the Word of God is threatened. Nevertheless, it is God who is in control. The workings of the enemy in his attempts to hinder the men and women who convey the gospel are subject to the purpose of God. In the scripture just read, at least three of the disciples of Paul were caught by the crowd and forced into the Amphitheatre. However, it was God who opened the mouth of the chief Asian who defended the rights of those who were captured. In the end, they were delivered safe out of the hands of the mob. Once reunited with Paul, he encouraged them and departed for Macedonia.

PAUL’S LAST SERMON AT EPHESUS:

I want you to really study this last message to the church at Ephesus. It is the testimony of a man who worked the ministry never departing from the integrity of the Spirit. In it Paul also begins to prophesy according to knowledge as to what their disposition will be after he is taken away.

Read : Acts 20:16-38

2 Timothy 1:13-18

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Now this is the saddest part of this story. Those who had served with Paul in the conquest of Asia had all turned away from him. During the time of his incarceration the enemy seized an opportunity to work on those who were in leadership. They brought in damnable heresies and the lack of purity scattered the flocks. Though the Church remained we might see what the Lord Jesus Christ had to say about it after the death of Paul. As we read the letters John sent to the churches throughout Asia, we are able to review the Lord’s assessment of their spiritual location. From this review we are able to judge our own dispositions as leaders and saints. This we have attempted to do. Nevertheless, I want you to see that the severity of the things Paul wrote to the churches are reinforced by the letters Jesus instructed John to write to them. It is a fact that John’s letters were addressed to some of the same churches Paul ministered to.

Revelation 1:10-13

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Revelation 1:16

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Remember, symbolic language is always defined inside of the context in which it is written or elsewhere in the scriptures. We have three symbols here to define: the seven golden candlesticks, the seven stars and the two- edged sword. Well, Paul gives us the sword in

Ephesians 6:17, And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Revelation 1:19-20

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Revelation 2:1-7

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The church had left its first love, Christ. This is what happens when the influence of a strong confronting leader is taken away. Repent, turn back to the way of the Lord and consider how far from godliness you have fallen. If you overcome this state of being, the Lord will allow you to eat of the tree of Life.

THE CALL TO PRAYER

Earlier I mentioned that prayer and holiness are an unstoppable force. It is also how Paul, and his companions were strengthened and remained steadfast in the faith. It is prayer that is going to be instrumental in maintaining a righteous walk in God. Prayer was the focal point of the apostle’s ministry. They recognized that they could do nothing without fellowship with the Father.

Acts 6:4

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

This has always been the area of lack in the ministry regarding participation. IT IS TIME FOR THE MINISTRY AS A WHOLE TO COME TOGETHER IN CONTINUAL PRAYER. Even though we have certain prayer vigils in place on a daily basis, the attendance and submission to it is designed to have an effectual work in us, is not realized. It is more of a duty than a meeting with the Father. This is not acceptable to God. Prayer must be the focal point not only of ministry but life itself. It is the place of communion with the Father, of course, but it is also the place to develop a relationship with the Holy Ghost. He is the master guide of the Church. He is charged by the Father to lead and guide us into all truth. He is also the Comforter. It is the life that He gives us that makes us free from the captivities of the flesh and the emotions of the soul in adversity.

Colossians 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Those who are to work the ministry are instructed to pray. We see from the above that one must learn to labor fervently in prayer. We are also told to pray for the spiritual well being of the saints. This means that prayer can be offered regarding the spiritual location of members of the Body of Christ. Epaphras petitioned God to help the saints stand in perfection and complete in doing the will of God. We will pick up the banner. We will go forth and fight the good fight of faith. We will not compromise, but we will set up churches around the globe. In them we will maintain the way of the Lord, creating a habitation for the Father to dwell in.

We are the Sons, chosen unto good works. We have believed the report. We will walk in the Spirit of the Lord.

In His Service, Mary Banks Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ