Paul asked them what baptism they had been given and they told him the baptism of John the Baptist. The baptism John gave was different and John even talked of something better coming. He predicted the coming of Jesus Christ in whom they should believe and the coming of Holy Spirit. The baptism John offered was one that reflected a desire to be right with God and to repent of sin.
As soon as they heard Paul's words, they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking on other languages as a sign for unbelievers. They also were given the ability to prophesy. There were twelve men who had done this.
Paul went to the synagogue and preached for three months regarding the Kingdom of God. Some there rejected his teachings and began speaking against what Paul taught as well as opposing the followers called "The Way". Paul left them and went to the lecture hall of Tyrannus and taught there for two years. The result of this was that Jews and Greeks throughout Asia would hear the word of the Lord. Tyrannus was thought to be either a Greek philosopher or Jewish rabbi and his school was a place that lectures were given.
God gave Paul power to perform unusual miracles. If an apron or handkerchief were to just touch his skin, it could be placed on a person and they would be healed of disease and evil spirits would be cast out.
There was also a group of men traveling town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation to command the evil spirits to come out. This group of seven men were sons of a man who either was or just claimed to be a High Priest. But basically they were a group of traveling exorcists. There was one time they tried casting out an evil spirit in Jesus name but the spirit did not leave the person but said to them, "I know Jesus and I know Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who was filled with the evil spirit pounced on the seven men, overpowered them and attacked them so violently, they ran away battered and naked.
That story quickly spread through Ephesus reaching the Jews and Greeks. A solemn fear overcame the people and they greatly honored the name of Jesus. Many there, who had been practitioners of sorcery, brought their books of spells to a public fire and burned them and confessed their sinful practices. The value of the books is said to have been 50,000 Greek pieces of silver. Each piece of silver was a days wage. Today said to be around a million dollars. The message of the Lord had a powerful effect on people and spread over great distances.
Paul then left and was led by the Spirit to go to Macedonia and Achaia before returning to Jerusalem. After that, he said he needed to go to Rome and sent his assistants, Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia while he stayed a little longer in the providence of Asia.
About the same time, serious problems concerning The Way began to grow in Ephesus. It all started when a silversmith who made silver statues of the Goddess Artemis (or Diana) began objecting to the impact of the teachings of Jesus. He had a huge business employing many other craftsmen and had become wealthy by the selling of those statues. He called a gathering of his craftsman along with men in other trades who were employed by him.
He reminded them their wealth came from that business and told them how many people had seen and heard Paul's teachings that such idols were not really gods and how they believed. He spoke of how Paul's teachings not only spreading there in Ephesus but throughout the entire providence. He was troubled about the negative impact on his wealth and loss of business but claimed that was not only reason he was upset but also that the name of Artemis would loose popularity, influence and power. He expressed his concern that the wonderful god Artemis would be robbed of her great prestige world wide.
They weer all enraged and began shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" It didn't take long for the entire city to be filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater dragging two traveling companions of Paul's from Macedonia, Gaius and Aristarchus. Paul wanted to go also but the other believers would not let him. Some friends of Paul who were also officials of the area sent word to Paul begging him to not risk his life by going to the amphitheater.
Inside the amphitheater people were shouting all sorts of things but there was not a central issue or argument. Some of the people there weren't even sure why they were there. It was utter confusion and chaos. In frustration, the crowd pushed Alexander to the front and asked him to explain what was happening. Alexander motioned for the crowd to be silent but when they realized he was a Jew, they began shouting, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!! They did this continuously for about two hours.
Finally the Mayor of Ephesus was able to calm them down so he could speak. He told them everyone knew Ephesus was the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis whose image fell down to them from heaven. He told them it was an undeniable fact so they should remain calm and not do anything rash. He told them they had brought Paul's companions to that place but pointed out they had done nothing worng. They had not stolen from the temple nor had they spoken against Artemis.
He also explained that if Demetrius, the silversmith had any issues with those men he should take them to the courts which were now in session. He suggested if there charges were valid, Demetrius should make formal charges against them in court for such things should be settled in a legal.
He added he was fearful that they are all in danger of being charged with rioting by the Romans because there appeared to be no cause for what they were doing. If Rome were to demand a reason for their riot, they would not know how to answer. It must have made sense because he dismissed them and they all departed from the amphitheater.