December 1, Acts 19
Paul’s adventures in Acts may make us think the apostles were larger-than-life super-heroes in a fictitious story. But the incredible episodes are laced with reminders of reality.
Apollos probably taught the disciples Paul found at Ephesus. Before meeting Aquila and Priscilla, Apollos had taught about Jesus at Ephesus, knowing only John’s baptism. Later, Paul found disciples there who only knew about John’s baptism. What’s the point? A teacher can’t take his students beyond his own knowledge. All who would teach or lead need to remember this. Continuing education, not necessarily of the formal variety, is a necessity for leaders and teachers.
The exorcists who invoked Jesus’ name with a painful and embarrassing outcome remind us that it’s useless to use Jesus’ name without a genuine relationship with him. The exorcism failed, but the incident brought positive results. The name of Jesus was more revered, and many gave up the dark arts and burned their books in a bonfire where fifty thousand silver pieces’ worth of occult books went up in smoke! In contrast, the word of God kept on increasing and prevailing.
The riot started by Demetrius reminds us that some people are opposed to the gospel because it impacts their finances. Demetrius claimed to be concerned about Artemis’ honor, but he first mentioned that Paul’s preaching was reducing the idol makers’ income. It’s a reality of life in a material world that money is the reason why people do what they do.
It’s also a reality that many who are vocal about some issue may know nothing about it. Luke said the Artemis pep rally was filled with people who had no idea why they were rioting. After they got tired (or maybe hoarse) from shouting for hours, the town clerk reminded them they lived under the shadow of Rome’s imperial boot, and the Romans didn’t like civil unrest. Some folks today may be audacious for a cause, yet understand very little about it.
A bold defense or reasoned argument may be ineffective in a hyper-emotional setting. Paul was no stranger to controversy. He wanted to go into the fray, but the disciples restrained him. When we’re ready to take on all challengers with our reasoning and persuasive power, we should remember this occasion. Paul himself wasn’t allowed to confront the widely-held convictions of the culture in an emotionally charged arena.
There’s also a lesson for us in how the clerk described Paul and his company. He knew the disciples had done nothing sacrilegious or blasphemous against Artemis. If Paul had been caustic and arrogant in his preaching during the two years he had been in Ephesus, it’s unlikely the clerk would have held such a high opinion of him. It’s one thing to persuade; it’s another to insult. In our passion and zeal for the cause, we
would do well to remember the difference. It’s not compromise to realize that discretion is, sometimes, the better part of valor.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—December 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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