CONTRASTS WITH GOD’S WORD ACTS 19 Life is all about contrasts. Without them, life would be a monotonous continuum. In Acts 18:22, 23, 19:1, Luke recorded the end of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey and the beginning of his 3rd journey. His journey of 1500 miles that took many months is covered in three verses. I. DISCIPLES OF JOHN 19:1-7. When Paul entered Ephesus there was already a small church (Acts 18:27), perhaps meeting in home. Paul found 12 men and taught them truth about Christ’s baptism, without hesitation they obeyed. II. THE DECLARATION OF GOSPEL 19:8-10. Paul turned his attention to evangelizing city of Ephesus. Text said he spoke boldly, openly without fear for 3 months about Jesus and His kingdom. Despite Paul’s efforts, some rejected his message about Jesus (19:9). III. THE DEFENDERS OF ARTEMIS 19:23-41. Events of these verses was the final incident that hastened Paul’s departure. Disturbance was begun by Demetrius, the tradesman who became the troublemaker 19:25-31. Crowd became a mob and the demonstration became a riot, confusion for two hours 19:32. The mayor, city official proved as efficient in suppressing the riot as Demetrius had been at inciting it (19:35-41). Acts 19 is a powerful reminder of contrasts of people when hearing truth of God’s Word.