I. INTRODUCTION
A. To study the contact of Christianity with idolatry in a place like Ephesus, it will be important to note some characteristics of that peculiar idolatry. It was a religion sustained by three things: superstition, national pride, and the love of money. These difficulties in one form or another are met today wherever the Gospel is taught.
B. What difficulties would Paul encounter at Ephesus because of their idolatry? Had the way been prepared for Paul? Were Paul's own labors successful? What effect did Christianity have on the people of Ephesus? It is the purpose of this study to answer these questions.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Difficulties encountered by Paul in Ephesus because of their idolatry. In the time of Paul, Ephesus was one of the most distinguished cities of the world. Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor; embracing much of the rich Ionian culture and Greek thought; a center of commerce; and home to the most imposing form of idol worship of its time the goddess Diana.
1. Two obstacles encountered everywhere by the Apostles were Judaism and Paganism. While Judaism was a fixed religion (being basically the same wherever it was encountered), the heathen religions were often as different from each other as they were from Judaism or Christianity. Christianity might have to overcome immorality in one religion, while combating the philosophy of another, while answering another religion's art or poetry, while fighting against yet another's superstition or national pride.
2. The most powerful force controlling the human mind to be found in any country is religion (or the lack of it). Whether true or false, religion is a power superior in many aspects to love of: country, friends, property, liberty, and even life itself. When the religion is incorporated into: the government, the traditions, the employment, and the lucrative pursuits of men its power increases in magnitude and range. All of these characteristics were present at Ephesus.
a. The Ephesians worshipped one supreme divine power, known throughout the world as their goddess.
b. In addition to the generic natural power of religion, the worship of Diana:
(1) included a close connection to the practice of magic, (Acts 19:19),
(2) was closely combined with national pride because of the magnificence of the temple raised in her name,
(3) was closely connected to the wealth of the city and gave employment to many of the citizens of Ephesus.
B. Preparations had been made for the coming of Paul. In much the same manner that John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus in Palestine, Apollos had brought John's teaching to Ephesus ahead of Paul, (Acts 18:24,25). He was further instructed by Priscilla and Aquila concerning Jesus, (Acts 18:26-28). Others were at Ephesus who were aware of John's teaching, (Acts 19:1-7). These men were also converted and became spokesmen for the truth.
C. The manner in which Paul labored at Ephesus, (Read: Acts 20:18-21). These verses reveal the secret of both Paul's success and power.
1. His tender heart a heart made for and warmed by love, (Rom. 9:2,3).
2. He preached the whole Gospel everything that was profitable for the Ephesians.
3. He preached publicly in the synagogue, the markets, or the streets, with no regard for his own safety.
4. He taught the truth "door to door" family to family, person to person.
5. He did not rely on the philosophy of man or human learning instead preaching repentance and faith in the Lord, (Acts 20:21).
D. The immediate results of Paul's preaching the church was clearly and completely established in Ephesus. We can learn about the character of this congregation of the Lord's people from Acts, from Paul's letter to them, and from Jesus Himself, (Rev. 2:2,3).
1. It was not a small group inferred by Demetrius, (Acts 19:26,27).
2. It was led by Elders (not one elder or one bishop) whose purpose was "to take heed to themselves and to the flock," (Acts 20:28).
3. Their beliefs were based on more than emotions or feelings they had a principle-based religion, (Acts 19:19,20).
a. they voluntarily destroyed the books of magic,
b. they realized that they could not continue to practice magic and be a follower of Jesus,
c. their sacrifice was not small,
d. they did not sell the property, but destroyed it because its value was only for the purposes of evil.
E. The effect of Paul's preaching on the people of Ephesus; the furor, the riot, and the disorder. The appeal of the Silversmith was two-pronged: his livelihood and the national reverence for the goddess. Either of these would have been likely to inflame the citizenry, but in tandem, it was guaranteed!
1. Christianity has no quarrel with anything that promotes the interests of society in general. If all the enterprises of this earth that are related to the vices of man were wiped out today by the world's wholesale conversion to Christianity, there would still be work enough for all to do.
2. Christianity will conflict with many of man's business arrangements. Those that make there livings doing things that cannot be condoned by Christianity are going to take exception to it and its teachings. The changes that true Christianity can make would work out for the betterment of society by stopping war, eliminating the need for so many jails, restoring broken homes, and cause men to become content in whatever state they find themselves.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. How can we apply the principle of "destruction of evil property" today?
2. Was Paul (Christianity) responsible for the uproar at Ephesus? Explain.
3. What were Apollos and the 12 disciples of John "missing" in their religion?
4. Superstition, national pride, and the love of money; are they problems today?