Read the text here: Acts 19:23-41.
Now we find that the fledging movement known as The Way is beginning to have a larger effect. Merchants are feeling an economic crunch, as former worshippers at the Temple of Artemis have become followers of The Way and no longer purchase religious items from local businesses and craftspeople.
The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, first constructed in th 8th century BCE and rebuilt or remodeled several times after that, was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Temple attracted pilgrims from all over the world to come and worship. Artemis was known as the virgin goddess and defender of chastity. She was the daughter of Zeus and sister of Apollo, the goddess of the hunt. Over time she gained the characteristics of the great mother goddess, and she attracted even more followers. Because of its significance, Ephesus was an economic powerhouse in the area. The city’s ampitheater mentioned in Acts 19:29 was a large one by most standards, seating 24,000 people.
A silver artisan named Demetrius who makes silver replicas and votive holders for Temple worshippers feels the economic crunch. The text uses the understatement, “no little business,” to underscore the significance of the downturn in sales. Demetrius bands together with other craftspeople and merchant and stirs up a mob against Paul and the others. The crowds swell including many people just along for the experience with no understanding as to why the ruckus began: “most of them did not know why they had come together,” Acts 19:32.
Paul is ready to go out into the crowds and speak, but his friends would not let him near the theater. Alexander, a representative of the Jews tries to speak to the crowd, but he is shouted down. The text leaves his motives unclear; was he going to defend Paul or attempt to distinguish the Jewish community in Ephesus from the followers of The Way?
Notice that no one on Paul’s side ever disputes the charges. Demetrius declares the following about Paul and the others:
These descriptions of Paul’s efforts and teachings correspond with what we have already seen in Acts, and there is no attempt to debate them. Demetrius is correct in assuming that the spread of this new faith will inevitably have a detrimental effect on both his livelihood and the worship of Artemis.
While we have no great Temple to Artemis in our midst, are there economic powers that might feel threatened by a resurgence in the practice of Christianity?
Does our faith have an influence on our financial choices?
Not long ago there was an advertising campaign by the Evangelical Environmental Network asking “What Would Jesus Drive?” They are attempting to help Christians think about their actions in a more faithful and theological way. How does our faith influence how we spend our money? How can we as individual believers take more responsibility for our enviromental impact?
