In Acts 19:21-41, a riot was stirred up in Ephesus as a result of Paul’s preaching. They were angry because Paul had preached the gospel to the people and turned their hearts away from Artemis the goddess.
A silversmith named Demetrius stirred the riot as he was a silversmith, and people’s conversion to the faith began to impact his source of livelihood. He also argued that the goddess would lose her influence and be dishonored by the people in Ephesus.
Additionally, the city clerk calmed the crowd; he told them that the Apostles never spoke against the goddess or stole from the temple. He then urged them to engage legal channels that existed for disputes as their riot could lead to Roman intervention and dismissed the assembly. After this, the crowd dispersed.
This whole event goes to show that while the salvation of souls is a thing of joy to us and even the hosts of heaven, the devil hates to see men saved. He will use any available vessel, whether religious people or pagans, to stand as stumbling blocks.
Reflection: Do not be discouraged when you encounter difficulties while preaching. Instead, be encouraged, knowing that God is backing you up.
Today’s reading
Deuteronomy 23-25
“He who is emasculated by crushing or mutilation shall not enter the assembly of the Lord.
“One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord.
“An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever,
Acts 19:21-41
When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.