Acts (18)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

The video for lesson 18 is the same as for lesson 17. You can view it by clicking here (scroll down to Lesson 17).

Read and meditate on Acts 19.30-41.
Irrational crowds can pose a danger to those whose way of life depends on reason and persuasion. For three years Paul had been ministering in Ephesus (Acts 20.31), proclaiming the Kingdom and teaching the Good News to all who came to him freely, of their own accord. His efforts met with great success, and, as we’ve seen, those whose living depended, in part, on a brisk business in idolatry were beginning to feel the pinch with so many in Ephesus coming to faith in Christ.

For reflection
1.  What began as a loud vocal protest and demonstration was in danger of turning into a riot. Most people didn’t know what all the hubbub was about, but they joined in the drama anyway. Once people identify a common foe – in this case, the Christians – it doesn’t take much to ignite an uproar. Should we expect to be able to avoid this? Why or why not?

2.  Paul thought he might go among this throng and explain himself, but neither those he was teaching in the faith nor those public officials he had befriended along the way were willing for this to happen. They kept Paul out of the fray and let the demonstration wind down at its own pace. Why was this a good idea?

3.  As is clear from the reception given Alexander, Paul would not have had any success in trying to speak to this mob, and worse could have happened than merely being shouted down. The Romans believed in order. They had little patience with unruly mobs, and it only took a warning from the local magistrate to remind the irrational crowd that there were proper ways to deal with grievances, and this was not one of them. How can you see that God was at work here through the civil magistrate?

4.  Demetrius and his colleagues were told, in effect, to shut up and put up – disperse and, if you’re serious about your complaint, take it to the courts. End of discussion. Disaster averted. We know that the Apostle John ended up in Ephesus as shepherd there. Meditate on 3 John 12. Could this be the same man? If so, how should it encourage us as messengers of the Gospel?

5. It’s easy to think that, at the slightest provocation or threat to our religious freedom, we need to rush into the fray and set everyone straight. Sometimes it’s best just to let events run their course. The cool-headed magistrate in our story managed to defuse this dangerous situation by appealing to civic order and warning of consequences none of those present would have liked. It’s good to remember that we do our work of proclaiming God’s special grace within a larger framework superintended by His “common” grace. Government is a servant of God for good (Rom. 13.1-4). Are you prepared to help government do the job for which God established it?

Summary
The restraining power of the Holy Spirit sometimes works through civil magistrates, as in this situation in Ephesus. God is the King of all the earth. Our job is to pray for those He has allowed to come into public office. Looking at 1 Timothy 2.1-8, how should we pray for those in authority over us?

Closing Prayer
Give ear to my words, O LORD,
Consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You.
The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.

Psalm 5.1-8

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. This is the work of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. Read more about the implications of this work in our new book, The Kingdom Turn (click here).

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