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Name: Kristen Simpson
BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: APPLICATION TEMPLATE
Passage: Acts 19:11-22
What points of application can be made using the “Four Questions for Application?” State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these
points should be 1 paragraph (200-300 words) in length, clearly connected to a part of this
passage (by way of a verse quotation and/or citation), specific to this passage, and relevant.
1. The Question of Duty
In Acts 19:11-22, it explains the task that was set for Paul. He was healing the people of
Ephesus. The amount of faith that Paul had developed shows as he dedicated his later life to
doing God’s work. The Holy Spirit was guiding Paul through his missionary, spreading the word
of the Lord and his healings. Just to show how much Paul has contributed and been faithful to his
journey it is stated in Acts 19:11, “11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of
Paul” (The Holy Bible, 2016). To show how Paul God was working through Paul, he gave him
the gift of healing, showing that Paul’s faith is strong, he can perform miracles with his faith and
with God working through him. Meanwhile, the Seven Sons of Sceva, with no faith, tried
performing miracles and failed miserably. The evil spirit of the Seven Sons of Sceva tried to
exorcise the evil spirit who then told them “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are
you?” (The Holy Bible, 2016). The evil spirit knew that the Seven Sons of Sceva did not know
who Jesus was so therefore would not be using his name lightly. Whereas when Paul used Jesus'
name, he truly knew Jesus, he knew God, he had a relationship with them which allowed him to
perform his miracles. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (The Holy
Bible, 2016). Meaning we do not need to see God or Jesus to have faith but by having faith we
will be ok.
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2. The Question of Character
In Acts, we can see just how much faith Paul has and the role it plays in Paul’s life. You
can see how his faith allowed him to perform miracles. You can see that the Seven Sons of Sceva
did not have faith in God or Jesus and because of that, their exorcism went horribly wrong. The
Seven Sons of Sceva acted like they knew Jesus and they truly did not. This shows how much of
an impact faith can have on you. Paul’s character is shown through the miracles that he performs
and the healing of the lame. As he had so much faith, other individuals believed in him as they
could sense his faith, and they could take him pieces of this linen that had touched his skin and
heal their loved ones. God rewards those who believe in him and even more so when you believe
so blindly. Paul showed much faith in God and God allowed him to perform miracles. In Acts
19:11-12, “And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even
handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their
diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.” (The Holy Bible, 2016). As I look back
through Acts, I think about Acts 3:16 “16 And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of
Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes
through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.” (New American
Standard Bible, 2015), by having faith in God you will have the strength to do great things.
3. The Question of Goals
The goal of Paul in Acts 19:11-22 was to spread the of God and Jesus Christ. Paul’s goal
was to tell everyone about Christianity and share the good news of Jesus Christ. In the process,
he was able to help others by healing them through Jesus Christ. Through these miracles, people
learned about Christianity, about their Lord and Savior, and saw the miraculous things that could
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be down through faith. Paul wanted to lay down a strong foundation in Ephesus which is why he
was there for a little over 2 years. In Ephesus, there was a strong Pagan faith and Paul had to
overcome many obstacles to be able to reach the hearts of both Greek and Jewish people. When
the people in Ephesus learned what faith in Jesus Christ looked like, they gave up their Pagan
ways and burned their witchcraft books in front of everyone as a testimonial of their faith. You
can see Paul’s hard work laid out in Acts 19, verses 18-20 which states, “18 Many also of those
who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And many of those
who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of
everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20
So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.” (New American Standard Bible,
2015).
4. The Question of Discernment
“Discernment is being able to survey the sweep of culture and make a decision that fits
the perspective of God. A discerning person is able to examine his surroundings and identify the
things that are aligned with the viewpoint of God” (Cartwright et al, 2016). Paul demonstrates
discernment through Acts by realizing what he must accomplish in Ephesus. Through Jesus
Christ, Paul realized what the people needed, he knew they needed to see the miracles and to
learn the good word. Paul must spread the good news so the Greeks and Jewish people would
learn who Jesus Christ is and learn about Christianity, so they could have the opportunity to
spend eternal life with God. Paul faced many obstacles; it was not easy preaching to non-
believers and to those who worship false idols. After the incident with the Seven Sons of Sceva,
the people of Ephesus finally discerned the truth of what Paul was saying. They had a complete
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understanding and changed their Pagan ways to follow Jesus Christ. In Acts 19:20 says “So the
word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” (The Holy Bible, 2016), meaning
the people of Ephesus began following the Lord and continued to spread the word of our Lord. I
feel John 14:6 says it best “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one
comes to the Father but through Me.” (New American Standard Bible, 2015).
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References
Cartwright, J., Gutierrez, B., & Hulshof, C. (2016).GEveryday Bible study.GNashville, TN:
Lifeway Church Resources.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Acts 19:11-22. Retrieved March 3, 24, from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+19%3A11-22&version=ESV.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). 2 Corinthians 5:7. Retrieved March 3, 24,
from https://esv.literalword.com/?q=2+Corinthians+5%3A7.
New American Standard Bible. (1995). Literal Word. Acts 3:16.G https://nasb.literalword.com/?
q=acts+3%3A16 (Original work published 1971)
New American Standard Bible. (1995). Literal Word. Acts 19:11-
22. https://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Acts+19%3A11-22. (Original work published 1971)
New American Standard Bible. (1995). Literal Word. John 14:6.Ghttps://nasb.literalword.com/?
q=john+14%3A6. (Original work published 1971)
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