THESE FACTS ARE
UNDENIABLE!
ACTS 19: 23 - 41
PAUL STILL IN EPHESUS
• Remember: confront the gospel -> repentance -> public action
• They burnt their idols, stopped practicing temple prostitution, their lives
changed to obedience to Jesus and others noticed the change
• V23 A great disturbance arose against “The Way”
• V24-27 Demetrius – a silver smith – called a meeting with all the town’s
craftsmen. He made idols of Artemis/Dianna.
• Dianna/Artemis was the goddess that the town of Ephesus was the
guardian for.
• We are loosing money! No one is buying the idols!
DEMETRIUS CONTINUES…
• Paul has led many astray! Large numbers are convinced that idols are
false and Jesus is the risen Son of God
• The whole province of Asia has heard about Jesus!
• Paul discredits the idols saying anything made by human hands cannot
be god
• This endangers our business, the goddess Artemis/Dianna and discredits
our Temple (Temple of Dianna)
• Our goddess will be robbed of her divine majesty
The whole city was outraged!
MOB MENTALITY HIT … RESULTS… V 29 - 41
• The mob grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus (Paul’s companions from
Macedonia) taking them to the public theater for judgement
• Paul wanted to intervene but his other companions and the town
officials (who were friendly to Paul) begged him NOT to go
• Such confusion exploded! People shouting different accusations, no one
really understood why they were rioting – mob mentality! (shark frenzy)
• The Jews in the crowd recognized Alexander (traveling with Paul) as a
Jew and shoved him in front of the crowd
• Alexander waved his hand trying to quiet the crowd
WHO WAS THIS ALEXANDER?
• Not sure!
• Could he be the Alexander Paul mentions in II Timothy 4:14 as
the “metal worker did me (Paul) a great deal of harm. The Lord
will pay him for what he has done…” Note: owe, owe, owe left
in God’s hands
• And in I Tim 1:20 “Alexander, a blasphemer”
• Some researchers say “Yes, same Alexander.” Other
researchers say “No”… but were there two Jewish Alexanders
in Ephesus at the same time? Most likely same Alexander
• As soon as the Ephesians recognized that Alexander was a Jew,
they went crazy shouting, “Great is Artemis of Ephesus”!
• The city clerk (like judge) silenced the crowd stating, “Doesn’t the
whole world know that Ephesus is the guardian city of the fallen
goddess Artemis? If you believe this to be a fact, calm down!”
• You (crowd) have no legal reason to hold these two men
• We will be cited/accused of rioting by the Roman Government
• Demetrius can bring legal charges if he desires and let the court
decide!
• He dismissed the crowd…
OUR TAKE AWAY…
• Since these facts are undeniable and we believe:
• Jesus is the Son of God
• Jesus bled and died to forgive our sins
• Jesus rose from the dead and conquered death
• Jesus is right now in heaven interceding for us
• Jesus is coming again
• Calm down and stand firm!