Paul is in Ephesus. "God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out". v 11-12 This gave me the picture of someone ripping apart Elvis' clothes just to have a part of him...LOL! Back in the ancient world they believed that "power" could be transmitted...they even believed that Paul's shadow could heal.
Miracles needed to happen by the apostles because there was no New Testament to confirm the validity of their message. Do miracles happen today? Of course. But if you need a miracle, how do you make it happen? We have no apostles to touch their robes or lay hands on us. I have been dealing with a bad rash on my face for two weeks that won't go away. It is painful and ugly; I work with the public. How do I get the miracle of healing when I need it so desperately. Prayer has not seemed to work. I mean I know God heard my prayers but I didn't get the miracle. Did I not believe enough? I guess maybe the everyday miracle for us in the 21st century is the doctors and the medicines that make it possible to heal even the most difficult of diseases that would have been impossible for those in the ancient world...even if it takes some time to do so.
Ephesus was the home of the Temple of Diana (Artemis) - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Idol worship was rampant and is what Paul was having to deal with. If you'd like to read about it and see a picture go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Artemis. People still worship her, it, today!
I thought I'd have some fun with this. Remember?
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