A Spiritual Showdown

Notes:

Charge by Marketplace

Demetrius: President of the Silver Smith Guild?? tradesman would create civic assemblies or collegia, “which set standards for their own trade and united to defend their economic interests.” Keener

Archeologists of unearthed silver representations of Artemis/Diane.

Ephesians: Temple “keepers” or “guardians” of Artemis

Accusation against Paul: “In almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.”

Result:

Disputed trade: “Trade will come into dispute.” Not only will we go out of business, but that

Discredited temple

Deposed Artemis: “deposed from her magnificence.”

He’s messing with our religion and reality.

Reaction: “Full of Anger”

Luke 4:28 “When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.”

Sticking up for their livelihood and Lord! Image found on coins and official documents. “Protector of the city’s fortifications and general welfare.” Hilarious because THEY’RE the ones protecting HER.

Open air arena: 25,000 people

The Way vs. The Church

Paul uses the word ekklesia informally in v. 32 and v.40.

All called out, but to what??

Paul wanted to get out there...

But he had friends in high and mighty positions (Asiarchs) who persuaded him not to.

Charge of Town Clerk:

One of the “highest local officials in Ephesus”

1. The Cult of Artemis is not in Danger

Reassuring the Crowd of their Comfort in Artemis:

She had fallen (word used for meteorites) from heaven.

2. Gaius and Aristarchus: NOT guilty of sacrilege (robbing the temple) nor blasphemy (reviling the goddess).

3. They should go through the proper legal processes if they’re going to press charges.

Rather than just an ekklesia, they should go through the ennemo ekklesia.

4. They’re in danger of rioting! v. 40: “For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”

This is purely an emotional reaction to losing money, losing credibility, and losing my religion.

Protecters of Truth/Guardians

The Way vs The Guardians

“In this corner...”

Artemis

Artemis=”artemeas”=safe and sound

Mythical Daughter of Zeus and Leto

Peterson: “Associated with health and help of various kinds” “her lordship over supernatural powers.”

Barrett: “Virgin who helped women in childbirth, a huntress armed with a bow, the goddess of death.”

Jesus

Influence of Paul:

Peterson: “Three -year ministry of teaching hte word of the Lord in Ephesus touched people at every level of society and began to transform the religious practices and lifestyles of many… The self-interest of religious, social, and economic groups may be so intense that the lives of Christians may be threatened. Spiritual opposition may manifest itself in a variety of ways, but the name of Jesus is powerful to overcome even demonic forces and to allow the gospel to prevail.”

Stott: H.V. Morton: “The most impressive ruins in Asia Minor…, Ephesus stands dignified and alone in its death.”

“Running into the street,” Main thoroughfare=Arcadian Way, 11 metres wide, marble, and colonnaded from hardbor to theater.

Nestled on foot of Mount Pion, 500 feet in diameter.

Asiarchs: Leading citizens, members of the privincial council of Asia.

Stott: “Haenchen is right to comment that ‘in the final analysis the only thing heathenism can do against Paul is to shout itself hoarse.’”

Introduction:

Where in the World is Paul

Pictures of Ephesus

Port and Theater

Protecting Passions and Pocketbooks

Messiah’s Message Messes Up!