Waters of Life

Biblical Studies in Multiple Languages

Search in "English":
Home -- English -- Acts - 096 (Riot of the Silversmiths in Ephesus; Paul´s Last Journey to Macedonia and Greece)
This page in: -- Albanian? -- Arabic -- Armenian -- Azeri -- Bulgarian -- Cebuano -- Chinese -- ENGLISH -- French -- Georgian -- Greek -- Hausa -- Igbo -- Indonesian -- Portuguese -- Russian -- Serbian -- Somali -- Spanish -- Tamil -- Telugu -- Turkish -- Urdu? -- Uzbek -- Yiddish -- Yoruba

Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson

ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 2 - Reports About Preaching Among the Gentiles and the Foundation of Churches From Antioch to Rome - Through the Ministry of Paul the Apostle, Commissioned by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13 - 28)
D - The Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23 - 21:14)

4. The Riot of the Silversmiths in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41)


ACTS 19:35-41
35 When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 36 Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.” 41 When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

A wise man sat in the theater among the agitated multitude. He was calm, and understood his people. They called him the city clerk. He did not try to speak to the loud shouters, but left them to scream and roar for two hours. He deemed it advisable to scold them after they became tired. When he saw that the majority had grown tired in that hot weather, he stood up and began to speak. The multitude became completely silent. The city clerk first emphasized the fame of the Ephesians. He testified that the black wooden idol of the goddess Artemis fell down from heaven, a fact there was no need at all to dispute. The whole world knew of this, and nobody could deny this belief. Calmness was therefore necessary, so that nothing reckless might be done. He also showed his preparedness to settle any incidents that might arise.

He proceeded to proclaim that Paul’s fellows and the young Alexander had not robbed anyone or said evil things about the temples. This enquiry he had made with them while the crowd was angrily shouting for two hours. Thus the three men were innocent, and the multitude was to be blamed for grabbing them wrongfully.

Demetrius, the leader of the silversmiths, had not brought an official complaint against Paul (it is probable that he had not yet come to the assembly out of fear of being accused of revolution). Therefore, the clerk could still expect from him and his silversmith co-workers an official complaint if they had any sufficient evidence against anyone. In this way, the case could run its legal course.

The clerk continued to calm the crowd little by little. He did not prevent them from forming their opinion or making a decision together. But he did ask them to make their demands in an official meeting, in the presence of all the people, who also had the right of suffrage. The details Luke gives here offer deep insight into the organization of cities in Greek culture during the Roman occupation.

Finally, the mayor threatened the listening crowd. He indicated to them the danger of instigating Roman anger, which had at times withdrawn privileges from unworthy cities, and granted new privileges to those more deserving. Not one of the Ephesians wanted to be the reason for losing the kind Roman treatment they had experienced. On the contrary, they all sought this as their chief end, over and above all else. The anger of the fiery people was calmed by the speech of the wise clerk, and they all returned to their houses.


5. Paul´s Last Journey to Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20:1-3a)


ACTS 20:1-3a
1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. 3a When he had spent three months there, …

Paul recognized in the Ephesians’ uproar that the growing church was not secure against danger and persecution. On the contrary, the more the blessing was spread, the more the attacks of the devil increased. The believers in churches had to pray with vigilance: “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Paul and his faithful companions prayed during the uproar. The Lord stilled the storm, and saved those who were in trouble, just as he had rebuked the storm on the Sea of Tiberias.

After the explosion of hatred in Ephesus, it became clear to the believers that Paul could not remain either in the city or in the region. The vindictive feelings boiling over in the heart of the mob for the apostle meant that he could no more walk alone along the streets and alleys. The fatherly Paul, however, did not flee out of fear because of the crouching danger in the city. He called the leaders of the disciples of Christ to an organized meeting, one which was filled with the opposite spirit to that of the uproar in the theater. Paul comforted those who mourned with the presence of Christ, who puts his Holy Spirit in all His faithful followers.

Thus the apostle of the Gentiles said a sorrowful goodbye to the people of the church of Ephesus. He began his long journey by passing through the regions of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. He himself explained his experiences in his second epistle to the Corinthians (7:5): “When we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us”. Paul did not travel to pass the summer time in relaxation at a seaside resort. He entered the struggle, and with great difficulties fought against fanaticism, hatred, and temptations. Paul was filled with the word of God. He preached with the power of the Holy Spirit, not only for the sake of preaching, but also for the sake of edification, instruction, and strengthening of the churches. Paul was a faithful shepherd, who sought those that were going astray, bandaged the wounds of the afflicted, and punished those persevering in stubborn resistance.

When Paul entered the city of Corinth around A.D. 56 he served the church for three months, a church divided by philosophical and zealous temptations. Yet beside these efforts he found enough time to compose his longest epistle, written to the church in Rome, one which he himself had not founded. In this epistle the apostle emphasized his doctrine in an organized and logical way, with profoundness and exceeding insight. The philosophers in Athens had previously sought wisdom from him, but he did not respond to them. They were not spiritually mature to understand these principles of profound Christian thought. This sermon, in the form of an epistle to the Romans, is until today the best organized presentation of the principles of Christianity. Even today, the Holy Spirit is preaching the words of Paul in this world.

PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You, for You are the triumphant Governor. You keep Your beloved ones throughout the storms, hardships, attacks, and temptations of life. Give us faithful ministers in our churches, and courageous prayers, so that we may altogether honor You with abiding faith, abounding love, and living hope.

QUESTION:

  1. Why and under what circumstances did Paul leave the church of Ephesus?

QUIZ - 6

Dear reader,
Now that you have read our comments on the Acts of the Apostles you are able to answer the following questions. If you answer 90% correctly we will send you the next parts of this series, which we have designed for your edification. Please do not forget to include your full name and address clearly on the answer sheet.

  1. How is Jesus Christ the King of kings and Lord of lords?
  2. What was Paul’s custom in preaching when he entered a city?
  3. Why was Paul greatly upset by the many gods in Athens?
  4. What were the three main ideas in the first part of Paul’s sermon before the philosophers of Athens?
  5. What is the only way to escape the judgment of God on the Last Day?
  6. What was the particular promise of Christ, which Paul received in Corinth?
  7. What were the four cities Paul visited at the end of his second missionary journey?
  8. What were the four great facts produced by the meeting between Apollos and the laboring couple?
  9. How did the men in Ephesus receive the Holy Spirit? How can you receive this blessed Spirit?
  10. How did the kingdom of God appear in Ephesus?
  11. How were the name and word of Jesus greatly magnified in Ephesus?
  12. Why did Paul have to go to Rome?
  13. Why did Demetrius become angry with Paul?
  14. Why and under what circumstances did Paul leave the church of Ephesus?

We encourage you to complete the test examination for the Acts of the Apostles. In so doing you will receive an everlasting treasure. We are awaiting your answers and praying for you. Our address is:

Waters of Life
P.O.Box 600 513
70305 Stuttgart
Germany

Internet: www.waters-of-life.net
Internet: www.waters-of-life.org
e-mail: info@waters-of-life.net

www.Waters-of-Life.net

Page last modified on March 19, 2015, at 11:23 AM | powered by PmWiki (pmwiki-2.3.3)