The Riot
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Me
We
Transition to Text
God
Demetrius (Acts 19:23-27)
Demetrius (Acts 19:23-27)
There are a lot of things Luke brings up here we need to look at with a key word being here: Context.
First, let’s look at Ephesus:
3rd largest city in Roman Empire
Artisans, including Demetrius, were common but of lower social status because they worked with their hands. Their work may not have garnered the respect of the elites but it was their only source of wealth. In many ways, their identity was caught up in this thing they could do and to attack their income was to attack them personally.
In Demetrius’s case, his income was from being a silversmith who made shrines to the great artemis. These shrines would have looked like mini-temples of Artemis which you can see up on the screen now.
Artemis Ruins
Artemis Recreation
Artemis Model
This temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and Ephesus had it. Imagine the pride that comes on a city when they have something other people admire. As you can imagine, Artemis was a huge deal for the Ephesians. Not only was she a popular god, not only was her temple notorious, but she was a god known with a set of abilities people today would kill for. She was known as a deity that could compel the passion of a woman toward a man.
A god with that power had to be popular and Demetrius was furious with Paul’s preaching. It’s important for us to understand that what Demetrius accused Paul of was correct. If you go back to Acts 17:29 you see Paul say exactly this:
“Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals.”
“Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals.”
While Demetrius was not wrong in his accusations, I think it’s rather obvious that his main beef with Paul wasn’t the offense against Artemis but against his wallet. Remember, his work was his life. And if we’re being honest, the gospel is great unless it affects our own pocket books. If you read this story and think it has nothing to do with you, just look at these words from John Polhill:
Acts ((1) Instigation of a Riot by Demetrius (19:23–27))
The gospel is always at its most controversial when it comes into conflict with economic interests.
If you think that’s not true, let me ask you, how popular would a church be if it constantly brought up money? What if every Sunday I talked to you all about tithing? Generosity? (which we like in theory but not when we actually have to be generous because generosity actually costs us…a lot).
The point is, the gospel here meant financial loss for those who hadn’t accepted the message. And if we think it’s hard grasping financial loss for Jesus after giving our lives to him, imagine how much more anger and frustration for those who haven’t. Demetrius was not going to let this slide. Instead, he preaches to a choir who then has their own reaction, picking back up in verse 28...
Uproar (Or, the Predictability of People) (Acts 19:28-34)
Uproar (Or, the Predictability of People) (Acts 19:28-34)
People are predictable, aren’t they? Cancel culture is not new. Our ability as humans to join in the chant of blasted anger toward whatever happens to be in front of us is timeless.
What’s sort of funny about this whole story is how Paul is only mentioned in passing, not getting his way. Instead, Paul’s traveling companions are brought before everyone for reasons they probably don’t even know themselves. What we probably can’t fathom, however, is the sheer magnitude of this uproar. This theater mentioned in verse 29 sat upwards of 25,000 people. Here’s a picture.
Luke doesn’t tell us how full the theater got but my guess is they needed the theater for a reason. What is pretty cool though, and a good lesson for us all, is that Paul had friends who were not, at least explicitly, believers. Even though Paul was blunt and preached against the main religion of that town, he still had these officials who were friends. It’s possible Luke means this in a way less formal than we think (they weren’t his enemies) but the fact that they seemingly cared about his well being I think makes it clear. There was a friendship there that clearly Paul respected because he didn’t go.
And while the companions are mentioned, neither speak. Instead, poor Alexander makes his way out there to “give a defense.” He’s walking into a mine trap. There’s people shouting there simply because people are in a large area shouting. Apparently among this crowd was at least a portion of Jews who push Alex out there to make a defense. Now, it’s not clear what type of defense (Paul, that Paul was separate from Jews, dunno). He is recieved so poorly, Luke doesn’t record a single word he said or tried to say. Instead, in a beautiful show of patriotism, people shout about their great God. For two hours! Now, that’d be a sight to behold but as you can imagine, a lot is happening here. Finally, we get to the end here and we’re introduced to a nameless City clerk who has the wisdom to point out that what’s happening is not good.
City Clerk (Acts 19:35-41)
City Clerk (Acts 19:35-41)
The clerk reassures everyone that their fears were unwarranted. Everyone knows of Ephesus and Artemis. The phrase, fell from Heaven, literally means fallen from Zeus. There are example of gods being made from meteorites and it’s possible Ephesus had one for Artemis. The point being, some silly Jewish fellow can’t destroy what came from the gods.
He makes a defense of Paul. Not because he likes Paul or what Paul preaches but because, as he says, these facts about Ephesus and Artemis are undeniable. He gives them an alternative course. Sue him. That’s what he means in verse 39. Take him to court if you feel you have grounds. But he hasn’t robbed anyone nor the temple. He hasn’t blasphemed which probably means direct, by name attack against Artemis. Paul’s concern was preaching the gospel not blaspheming false gods.
Transition to Application
Our faith may come across as offensive and dangerous to others.
Application (Personal)
You
Application (Church)
We
Ending