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m . F a c in g S uper stition (2 7 -3 2 ) In Paul’s day, not only was the manu facture of images threatened, but the honor of “the great goddess Diana” was also impinged upon. While Demetrius raised opposition to the gospel from a business standpoint, there may have been something of sincerity in his at titude toward Diana. Many of the heathen are perfectly sincere in their pagan religious customs and their idol worship. But sincerity is not saving faith. Saul of Tarsus was full of sin cerity when he .was haling the Chris tians into prison, but this only left him full of sinfulness (cf. Acts 26:9 and 1 Tim. 1:13). Demetrius was successful in stirring up a great opposition against Paul. But the following verses reveal that here again the opposition was used for the further spread of the gospel, and as in the former part of this lesson, Chris tianity expanded in Asia, in spite of all the persecution. When God purposes to do anything, no power in hell or on earth, in Satan or in man, can suc cessfully oppose it. He makes the wrath of man to praise Him and makes Satan’s machinery fulfill His purposes. Points and Problems 1. “And he went Into the synagogue” (Acts 19:8). From this statement we may learn that the apostle grasped the opportunities to preach the gospel whenever and wherever they came. The Jews of these synagogues, for the most part, denied the diety of Christ. Yet Paul preached there whenever they gave him a chance. Sometimes the question is raised today whether, if invited, we should enter the temples of those re ligionists who deny the truth of our gospel. Well, if we fcillow the example of Paul, we will go anywhere we get the opportunity. But we must be left absolutely free to preach the truth of of Christ when we go. It is not com promise for a preacher to speak in a Jewish synagogue, if he preaches Christ, but it is a deadly compromise to agree in advance not to say anything while there which might offend those who hear. No true Christian can agree to keep silent about his Lord in any place or at any time. But if we are per mitted to preach Him and Calvary, then we should be ready to preach any where. 2. “Disputing . . . disputing. . . . And this continued by the space of two years” (vs. 8-10). This does not mean “ disputing” in the bad sense, for Paul denies , this specifically in making his defense later (24:12). The American Re vision translates the Greek word “rea soning,” which doubtless conveys the truer meaning. But we should not for get that the Apostle Paul was not'afraid of what some men call “ theological con troversy.” Doubtless in his day, as in our own, there were religious leaders
us remember that he must be told of the need, he must be true, and he must tell the story of salvation.
opened when Paul spoke the gospel of Christ by the river side. When we think of a missionary, let
JULY 13, 1941 CHRISTIANITY EXPANDS IN ASIA A cts 1 9:1 to 2 1 :17
Way.” “Evil” is spoken of “the Way” (the Lord Jesus Christ) when that Way is rejected. The result of this rejection on the people’s part was the solemn departure of the apostle. When the apostle was removed from them, in a sense God’s long-suffering also was removed. Be cause of their persistent rebellion, these people were left in a situation similar to that of Saul, the king, who, when at last he inquired of the Lord, could ob tain no answer (1 Sam. 28:6). It is a solemn thing when men and women re ject the preaching of the servants of God, which means that in reality they reject God, and God must ultimately re ject them. Nevertheless, even by their rebellion and their evil speaking they advanced the truth. Because of their action, “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord,” and Christianity ex panded in Asia. God uses even Satan to advance His cause. n . F a c in g C om m erc e (2 3 -2 7 ) At Ephesus, there had been erected a temple to the goddess Diana. Ephesus was also the headquarters of a great industry, the manufacture of images of Diana to be sold wherever she was worshiped. The fact that this business was seriously curtailed, and that large numbers of people were turning to the worship of God instead of Diana, is an indication of the widespread witness to the truth which came as the result of the two years Paul spent at Ephesus. The businesses that oppose the gospel are those that are menaced with an nihilation by that gospel. Gambling, drinking, and lewd practices are threat ened by the gospel, even though the preacher makes no direct reference to them in his preaching, and everywhere such enterprises as these are arrayed against the preaching of the true gospel. But that gospel is either a savor of life unto life, or a savor of death unto death. The same gospel brings eternal life to all who receive it and death to all who reject it (cf. 2 Cor. 2:14-16). BLACKBOARD LESSON
A cts 19:8 And be went Into the syna- gogue, and apake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened* and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing dally In the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; no that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord* Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsm en; 25 W hom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 20 3Ioreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. -28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, say ing, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. £9 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s com panions in travel, they rushed with one ac cord into the theatre. 80 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure him self into the theatre. 82 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for. the assembly was con fused; and the more part knew not where fore they were come together. LE SSON T E X T : Acts 19:8-10, 28-82. GO LD EN T E X T : ««So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:20)* D E V O T IO N A L R E A D IN G : Eph. 2:1-10. Outline and Exposition I. F a c in g R ebellion (8 -1 0 ) HE BEGINNING of Paul’s third missionary tour took him to Eph esus where he faced the rebellion of the Jews against the gospel. Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue for three months, and then the hatred of the Jews revealed itself in determined op position. Their condition is described as “hard ened.” The word has two meanings. One is “to be dry” or parched, as a waste—not because of what is there, but because of the absence of water. The other meaning of the word is “to render stubborn,” and this is the mean ing here. The conduct of these individuals is described as willful unbelief which is sued in their speaking "evil of that way” (v. 9), or, as the Revised Version reads, they were “speaking evil of the
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