ACTS LESSON 42
We will begin this lesson in Acts 19:21 "After these things were
ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through
Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been
there, I must also see Rome."
We see that Paul's journey, checking on all of the churches he had
started, was quickly done. He purposed to go to Jerusalem, and then
mentions that he must go to Rome. Paul, among other things, was a
Roman citizen. He was concerned about the Romans You remember God had
sent him to the Gentiles.
Acts 19:22 "So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered
unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a
season."
Timothy had been an understudy of Paul's, and anything Timothy
might say would be as if Paul himself were speaking. This is the
first mention of Erastus. Erastus seems to have been a Corinthian.
This may be found in Romans 16:23. He was a city treasurer or steward.
At any rate, he was a chamberlain of the city. He was probably at
Ephesus with Paul and Timothy. In II Timothy 4:20, Erastus was at
Corinth which indicates, again, that was his regular home. Paul sent
them to Macedonia to check on the churches for him.
Acts 19:23 "And the same time there arose no small stir about that
way."
This is undoubtedly speaking of here at Ephesus where Paul stayed.
This stir is over the false goddess Diana.
Acts 19:24 "For a certain [man] named Demetrius, a silversmith,
which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the
craftsmen;"
The people here carried around small silver images of Diana that
they thought would bring them good luck. These were like charms on a
charm bracelet or necklaces with this charm on them. Of course,
Demetrius had made some bigger images to set around in their houses,
as well. Demetrius was making a lot of money doing this.
Acts 19:25 "Whom he called together with the workmen of like
occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our
wealth."
The great concern that these craftsmen have, is that there will no
longer be a market for their images they have graven. If all the
people became Christians, they would be out of business. They have
called an emergency meeting to try to stop Paul and this Christianity
he preaches.
Acts 19:26 "Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus,
but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned
away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with
hands:"
We see from this that Paul has brought a direct attack upon the
images that they worship as gods.
Acts 19:27 "So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set
at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should
be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia
and the world worshippeth."
Acts 19:28 "And when they heard [these sayings], they were full of
wrath, and cried out, saying, Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians."
These men were really not concerned with this false goddess. They
were afraid they would not have any way of making a living. This
Diana had supposedly fallen from heaven and there was widespread
worship of this false goddess. I think it is wonderful that Paul has
gone into an encampment of people worshipping the false goddess, and
has set them on the path to true righteousness in Jesus Christ. Paul
is truly a brave man for Christ.
Acts 19:29 "And the whole city was filled with confusion: and
having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's
companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre."
We see some who have received Christ as Saviour and others who are
still worshipping this false goddess Diana. They grabbed two of the
men travelling with Paul and brought them to the place of trial in the
theatre. It appears that Paul was not with them at the time, so they
just grab his helpers.
Acts 19:30 "And when Paul would have entered in unto the people,
the disciples suffered him not."
Here we see the bravery of Paul. He wanted to turn himself in so
that they would release Gaius and Aristachus, but the other disciples
held him back. They knew how valuable Paul's ministry was and they
wanted no harm coming to him.
Acts 19:31 "And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his
friends, sent unto him, desiring [him] that he would not adventure
himself into the theatre."
These people feared the worst, if Paul showed up in the theatre.
These were people who knew how bad it could become, and they kept Paul
back.
Acts 19:32 "Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for
the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they
were come together."
We see here a mob gathered, not even knowing what the charges
were. They were gathered for the excitement.
Acts 19:33 "And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews
putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would
have made his defence unto the people."
This Alexander is a mystery. Most believe that he was a Jew, and
he came out of the multitude to make the statement that he was not
with the Christians, and did not want to be blamed along with them.
Some view him as a converted Jew, who is at this time a Christian, and
therefore comes to defend Paul and his companions. I believe
personally, he is still a Jew here and does not want to be counted
with the Christians.
Acts 19:34 "But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one
voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great [is] Diana of the
Ephesians."
We can see from this just how strongly embedded this worship of
this false goddess Diana was. They had shrines to her everywhere.
Acts 19:35 "And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he
said, [Ye] men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that
the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana,
and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?"
This town clerk is trying to calm these people down. He reminds
them that it is a well known fact that they worship this false
goddess. It was not unusual for people to worship the sun, moon, or
stars. In fact, many people still do. The fault in that type of
worship is that they are worshipping the created and not the Creator.
Acts 19:36 "Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken
against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly." Acts 19:37
"For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of
churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess."
This town clerk who seems to be presiding over this incident,
calmly tells them that these men have not broken any laws, so they
have no reason to try them. He even goes so far as to say that they
have not cursed the goddess Diana, either.
Acts 19:38 "Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are
with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there
are deputies: let them implead one another." Acts 19:39 "But if ye
inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in
a lawful assembly."
The word implead means bring to account. He says here, if you can
come up with a legal complaint about any of this, take it to a legal
court.
Acts 19:40 "For we are in danger to be called in question for this
day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of
this concourse."
He is really saying that this riot was illegal. The high courts
might arrest them all for disturbance.
Acts 19:41 "And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the
assembly."
He told them to all go home.
Notes
Acts 42 Questions
1. Paul purposed in his heart to go to what two places when he left
Macedonia?
2. Which two people did Paul send to Macedonia in his place?
3. Where did Paul stay for a season?
4. Where had Erastus come from?
5. Why had Paul sent them to Macadonia?
6. What is the stir in verse 23 over?
7. Who is the silversmith mentioned in verse 24?
8. What was he making for his living?
9. Who did Demetrius call together?
10. Verse 26 tells how Paul had turned whom away from the worship of
Diana?
11. Demetrius said not only had Paul destroyed their way of making a
living, but had done what else?
12. Who did they call Diana in verse 28?
13. What two companions of Paul did the people grab up?
14. Where did they take them?
15. What brave thing did Paul try to do that the disciples stopped him
from doing?
16. Who were spoken of as Paul's friend?
17. In verse 32, we read that the assembly was _______________.
18. This assembly could be called a ____________________.
19. Who was Alexander?
20. What did this mob cry out for two hours?
21. Who came to settle all of this?
22. Why did they worship Diana?
23. What two things did the clerk say in defense of Paul's men?
24. Who did he reprimand in verse 38?
25. What does the word implead mean?
26. What did the clerk warn them that they were in danger of?
27. What did the clerk do after he spoke?
Notes
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