SUNDAY April 18, 2021

A Great Commotion

And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
Acts 19:23

At this time of history in Ephesus, people worshiped many Greek gods––idols. Some of the gods worshiped were: Zeus, Athena, Aphrodite, Asclepius, Diana, Hera, Demeter, Apollo and Poseidon. They even worshiped the Egyptian gods, Isis and Osiris. Typically, within each family, more than one god was worshiped. Religious tolerance existed in Ephesus, but Paul preached against such idolatry.

Cultic arts were predicated on a world view that good and evil spirits were practically found in every area of life. Incantations and magic rituals were commonplace. As the Gospel took effect, people’s lives were changed. Believers grew in the Word of God, and, as they did, those who had practiced magic gathered together and burned their books:

...many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver (Acts 19:19).

In the city of Ephesus, a man named Demetrius made a living on silver shrines of Diana. As Paul preached the Gospel, people were saved and left their idolatry to serve the true and living God. Paul’s preaching had caused such an effect that these businessmen were going bankrupt.

Demetrius created anger among the people saying, “...this trade of ours is in danger...but the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed...” (Acts 19:27). There was a theater that sat 2500 people, and two of Paul’s companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, were taken there. In the great commotion, people shouted for two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” Officials and friends pleaded with Paul not to address the people, in fear he would be killed. In the end, a city clerk quieted the crowds (Acts 19:24-41).

The Bible gives you instructions as a Christian: if you have any leaven in your home, sinful cultic practices such as astrology, Tarot cards, Ouija boards, any witchcraft or demonic magic––get rid of them!

Whatever you love more than God is your idol.
~D. L. Moody~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!