Paul's Passing Thoughts

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Lesson 52 – May 12, 2015 (click here to listen)

Tonight’s Text – Acts 19:21 – 20:1
Brief review

1. Summary of remaining journey
   1. Intentions to visit Macedonia and Achaia
   2. Send ahead two “ministers”
      1. Timothy and Erastus
      2. διακονεω (dee-ahk-oh-NEH-oh) – “deacon”; one who serves
2. No small stir in Ephesus
   1. Diana – the Roman goddess
   2. Demetrius – a silversmith.
      – made “silver shrines”
   3. Paul’s teaching threatened their livelihood.
      1. Primary motivation – wealth
      2. Compare with 1 Timothy 6:2-10, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Jude 10-13
   4. The big business of religion
3. The assembly in the theater
   1. Theater of Ephesus – multi-purpose venue
   2. Silversmiths lead riotous crowd
      • Paul discouraged from entering
        1. By other disciples
        2. By other “friends”
   3. Examining the “assembly”
      1. εκκλησια (ek-lay-SEE-ah) – a body gathered for a common purpose such as a government function.
      2. Must be lawful
      3. Must be orderly
4. A voice of reason
   1. Townclerk points out the assembly’s irrational behavior
      1. Keep calm
      2. Think clearly
   2. Examining the validity of the claim
      1. No “robbers of churches”
         1. ιεροσυλυος (hee-er-os-oo-lous). “temple despoilers”
         2. taking the glory for themselves
      2. Never spoke evil of Diana
   3. Respect for the rightful use of law