We pick up Paul’s story again in Acts chapter 19. The year is about AD 53. Paul is in Ephesus, where he wrote 1st Corinthians. This is the middle of Paul’s third missionary journey.
Paul’s plan is now to go to Jerusalem, but to pass through Macedonia(as Paul mentioned in 1st Corinthians 16:5) and Achaia (which together make up Greece) first. After visiting Greece, Paul wanted to visit Rome as well.(v.21) While Paul finished up in Ephesus, he sent to helpers ahead of him to get the ball rolling. (Timothy is mentioned to be heading this way in 1 Corinthians 16:10)
Trouble is brewing in Ephesus (possibly the trouble referenced in 1 Corinthians 16:9) involving "The Way", a term used to refer to Christianity in this time period.(v. 23) The Temple of Artemis served as a bank in addition to being a religious building. Economics and religion were closely tied, since metal workers were paid to create idols and other items for religious purposes. Religious craftsmanship was a booming business and it was being threatened by Paul’s teaching against idol worship.(v.25-28) Civic pride was also at stake, as the Ephesians loved their religion with a devotion similar to patriotism. (Notice that even their chant in verse 28 identifies their God with themselves. "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!")
A silversmith named Demetrius roused other craftsmen and eventually the whole city into a riot.(v.24-25, 29) The Ephesians grabbed two of Paul’s associates and took them to an open air theater in the city, which seated about 25,000. Paul wanted to go to the theater, but his disciples and even city officials he had befriended begged him not to go. (v.29-31)
The Ephesians were completely out of control. Some were simply caught up in the emotion, with no real idea why they were at the theater.(v.32) A man named Alexander was pushed to the front of the assembly for reasons that are unclear. However, as soon as the Ephesians realized he was a Jew, they denied him the right to speak, chanting over him.(v.33-34) This is probably because they knew that Judaism was also monotheistic and would likely frown on the polytheism and idol worship practiced in Ephesus. The chanting lasted for two hours, leaving no room for doubt that this was an extremely charged situation.
Before the riot became unstoppable, the city clerk reasoned with those assembled, telling them to go through proper legal channels if and when they have been wronged by Paul or his associates. (v. 35-41)
After reading this chapter, there are a few good questions we can ask ourselves.
Do I look at church as a place to make money or find business connections? Is my faith something that penetrates my heart, or does it only go as far as cultural identity and a sense of heritage? Am I quick to get "up in arms" about an issue before someone has actually wronged me? Correcting these issues would not have made the Ephesians’ false beliefs true, but they are still errors we can learn from and use to examine our own lives.
Next Week- Paul’s continued travels and an introduction to 2 Corinthians! (Although Romans was originally planned to be our next book, recent material I’ve read more firmly places 2 Corinthians next, chronologically.)
Coffee House Question
Do you feel free to exercise and express your religious beliefs in the place that you live? If no, in what way do you feel limited? If yes, when do you take advantage of this freedom?
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