almost a riot

Good morning friends,

Today we see that Demetrius is successful in stirring up a crowd beginning with other craftsmen who felt Christianity threatened their livelihood. I received a great comment on how the opposition here seemed to be much more focused on money than on real religious concerns. That certainly seems to be the case. I think Demetrius is also using patriotic/city pride arguments to stir people up as well. In both cases the goal is to use emotional appeals to protect against a perceived threat to his business, generally without thinking much about whether Christianity is really a threat to the city or its faith.


From there the crowd builds with many people apparently along for the excitement without knowing what was really going on. Paul is kept out of harm’s way, but his companions are dragged into the assembly. Fortunately for them, good order prevails. The town clerk calms the crowd and tells Demetrius that any complaint they have should be brought in court where it will be dealt with. As we’ve often seen in Acts, Roman rule could be a benefit for Christians as well as a danger.



Blessings,

Sam



Acts 19:28-41

28When they heard this, they were enraged and shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29The city was filled with the confusion; and people rushed together to the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s travel companions. 30Paul wished to go into the crowd, but the disciples would not let him; 31even some officials of the province of Asia, who were friendly to him, sent him a message urging him not to venture into the theater. 32Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.


33Some of the crowd gave instructions to Alexander, whom the Jews had pushed forward. And Alexander motioned for silence and tried to make a defense before the people. 34But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours all of them shouted in unison, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35But when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Citizens of Ephesus, who is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the statue that fell from heaven? 36Since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.


37You have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38If therefore Demetrius and the artisans with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges there against one another. 39If there is anything further you want to know, it must be settled in the regular assembly. 40For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.