If doesn’t take long to realize that the world is in dire straights. Only God’s grace and His Word can straighten it out. We study God’s word for several reasons: to draw us closer to Him; to apply it to our life; and as God’s positioning system for our life, as a measurement for assessing the world around us and focus our prayers accordingly. We are picking up on Acts Chapter 19 where we left off.
It’s important for us to focus on the message that Luke has taken such pains to record. Hopefully, the maps and background information will help us put it into context, just as Paul saw it. It’s God’s Word, not just history, but a lesson for today’s church, not as an institution, but as the Body of Christ, in which all of us are part.
A little insight into the School of Tyrannus in Ephesus, where Paul professed and debated with the intellectuals of that region. If his “arguments” weren’t convincing and compelling, they would have shut him down. If we are to walk with Paul, we need to follow him into the School of Tyrannus.
Why do we care about Tyrannus? It’s not important in and of itself, but it shows the challenges Paul faced during his 2.5 years in Ephesus. He was professing and debating with the intellectuals of Ephesus, much of which took place at Tyrannus. The slide notes how they saw Paul. If we are to accompany him, we need to know where he was and the challenges he faced.
Tyrannus wasn’t just a hall. It was an amphitheater as shown. We can just picture Paul standing there—with perfect acoustics— preaching Christ to thousands. So, how did he possibly hold their interest?
Not only was Paul preaching to an audience, but was interacting and debating with the city’s intellectuals, with perhaps thousands of spectators, which was the whole purpose of the school's existence. It was intended as a place to both share and debate ideas both philosophical and religious.
What it looks like today. No longer of value to today’s culture.
Paul wasn’t alone. God performed miracles through Paul, not just ordinary miracles, but extraordinary miracles. You can only imagine the impact it had on perhaps thousands in the city of Ephesus.
We are told that certain Jews tried to cash in by copying Paul’s miracles in driving out demons. Theirs was a ritual invocation not a true prayer, since they did not profess Jesus. I saw something similar on TV, with one “ministry” selling (for a donation) prayer cloths for miracle healing. Oh my.
Seven sons of Sceva, chief priest at Ephesus, were doing likewise, but much to their surprise, a demon-possessed man reacted with a vengeance, overpowering all seven of them. We can be certain the word spread regarding, what might have then been labeled false miracles versus Paul’s true miracles.
Paul’s message accompanied by the Holy Spirit's miracles turned Ephesus upside down. Some didn’t just fear what was happening but embraced Paul’s message regarding Jesus. Do you think it would have the same affect today? The difference is both Jew and Greek believed in a Supreme Being—which is no longer the case with many people in today's culture.
Since each one was hand-written, creating scrolls were very labor intensive, and consequently were very valuable as we’ll see on the next slide. They were used to practice sorcery and invocations as part of their pagan rituals and consequently an affront to their new faith in Jesus Christ. Disposing of them showed the depth of their newfound faith.
How much is 50,000 drachmas worth in today’s dollars? A couple of description stated its worth anywhere between $5.5 to $7 million, as noted. Nevertheless, we don’t know exactly, because there are a number of factors that do not appear in the text. One thing is certain, those who converted to Christ, put their new faith above those items that may have been worth millions in value.
All of what happened in v.21 took place in Ephesus, which Paul decided to share with the Apostles, how Christ was being received by the Gentiles. He also expresses his intent to go to Rome.
Early Christians were initially associated what was considered a Jewish sect, called “the Way”. Silversmiths did a robust business making “idols” for tourists and temple worshipers. When people began converting to Christianity, they no longer wanted idols, it impacted the silversmith’s business and income.
Those who made a living on the worship of false gods, were angered that Paul’s message led so many to Christ and away from those false gods.
Their real concern wasn’t about Artemis being discredited, but about lost income. Artemis was worshiped throughout the province and across the Roman world, which gave leverage in making their arguments against Paul. Again, since making and selling small idols was highly profitable—Paul was impacting a very lucrative business.
What the scene may have looked like with worshipers visiting the temple, and perhaps Paul on the sidelines sharing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior, vs. the goddess Artemis.
After two years, and lost income to the idol makers, they lashed out against Paul and his companions who were also preaching Christ. The example I tend to liken it to is standing outside of the main mosque in today's Turkey (where Ephesus was located) and professing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I don't think you would last very long. Perhaps the same would be true standing in front of the U.S. Capitol building today, where it wouldn't be long before being arrested.
Jews held a different point of protest, and it wasn’t in support of Artemis—but against Paul who they considered a Jewish heretic.
What the city clerk is saying is let the worship of Artemis stand on its known merits. Why be upset by a foreign God preached by a Jew who is considered a heretic even with his own people.
The city clerk would not allow mob rule over the Roman judicial system. Apparently, Paul, in preaching and debating Christ, did not caste derogatory statements against Artemis. Perhaps the lesson for us is don’t attack a false religion, let our case rest on the truth about Christ (perhaps easier said than done).
Again, Paul was a Roman citizen. Accusations against him must be heard in a court of law. In v.39 the clerk tells them that they themselves were breaking the law by rioting. V.41 brings us to the end of Chapter 19.
For me, it shows the depth of religious belief in that culture. Paul did not let it deter him. Religion is no longer even a topic of discussion today, except when it seems to offend the culture which rejects it. Christianity is not welcome in most of today’s culture. In today's public square, an honest, open discussion of religion and politics, as took place in Tyrannus, isn't welcome.
Pray that the Holy Spirit may open the eyes of those in government, that they have placed our Nation on a dark path that could lead to destruction. Pray that the courts will recognize that God has always been part of our Constitution and founding values. The Lord has led us and blessed us as a Nation for over 200 years. Walking away from Him has put us on a slippery slope. We need to recognize God’s blessings and pray for His mercy on our nation and its people. Today, even more so, for those in harms way in Afghanistan, including our troops many of whom were killed by suicide bombers. Pray also for our church, our pastor and his family. That Jesus Christ may be our rallying point going forward.
Prayer is essential because God’s wrath is real. Romans 1:18-19 tells us, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.”
Amen!
Pastor Adrian Rogers’ 40-minute message on "Standing Firm in a Pagan World". The very thing Paul and his companions encountered in the 1st and 2nd missionary journeys.
https://youtu.be/F9IKFsiG0-Y?list=TLPQMTUwNzIwMjE8mp9rDFxOZQ
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End of
The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 19
