The Word of the Lord Grows

At Ephesus Paul found about twelve disciples. They knew only John's baptism. Paul told them John pointed to Jesus. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them.

Paul taught in a lecture hall for two years. All who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord. God worked special miracles by Paul's hands, and the sick were healed.

Many believers came and told what they had done. Those who had practiced magic burned their books in front of everyone. The books were worth fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew and became mighty.

A silversmith named Demetrius made silver shrines of Artemis. He feared he would lose money. He stirred up a crowd, and the whole city was confused and shouting. The town clerk quieted the crowd. He said to settle things the lawful way, and he sent them away.