Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Jesus as the Christ
Apostle Paul persuaded many people throughout the region of Asia by preaching Jesus as the Christ (verses Acts 19: 8-10). Miracles by the hands of Paul glorified Christ.
Demetris, a silversmith, who lived in ancient Ephesus, made a good living by providing silver to create images and shrines. In those times, he grew irritated by the teaching of Apostle Paul and his disciples concerning Jesus as the Christ. His complaint – What will happen if people believe in repentance of God and have faith in Jesus the Christ?
Not Good for Business
For Demetris, he saw this belief in Jesus as the Christ (the Way) to be financially unprofitable. Telling the people that their gods were made by hands, infuriated him, business leaders and their workers. "Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren't really gods at all. And he's done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! Of course, I'm not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I'm also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis - this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world - will be robbed of her great prestige!" Furthermore, Demetris inquired to fellow craftsmen, “What will happen if anyone should believe in Jesus as the Christ? Don’t you know that the people will stop buying our silver shrines of Dianna, made by our own hands? Our trade is in danger. Believing in Jesus as Christ is not good for our business,” (Acts 19:23-27).
A Confused Commotion at the Teaching of Jesus
Uproar! Uproar! The whole city in an uproar! Consequently, the city clerk sought to address the crowd as to where is the evidence that businesses suffer because of this teaching? “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? “If Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar; there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” Prove your case! Where is the evidence? And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly (Acts 19:38-41).
False Priests at the Teaching of Jesus
In as much as the business leaders are driven by greed, scripture does not neglect greed from within the temple. Not only was the city in an uproar, but within the priesthoods, scoundrels were within. There were priests who saw Paul and the disciples’ teaching could be a way to benefit their selfish intents. Similarity, why not copy what Paul and the disciples are doing? For instance, these priests began to use their gifts of miracles to maintain the people’s allegiance to their priesthoods (Acts 19:14-16). The result was a division among the people. This was the result of a great commotion about the Way (verses 21-23).
What about Today the Teaching of Jesus?
In short, the same spirit of greed drives many men today to do evil. The spirit of greed thrives on lies and manifests itself in many ways. It disguises itself as the veil of truth that will root out evil among people and nations of the world. It plants the idea of little saviors who must rescue the people from themselves – doing godly works. They declare themselves as bearers of truth as the sons of Sceva, the chief priest did (Acts 19:13-14). Likewise, not all believe today, both Jews and Gentiles. Finally, we encourage you to stay vigilant. Only through the eyes of God (the Holy Spirit) will we be able to discern and prevail. Importantly to the world, even now, the good news of the Lord will grow and spread as it did then -Jesus as Christ (Acts 20:20). Keep On Believing.
We encourage you to continue watching what will strengthen your belief system. For this, f you have not done so, we suggest you to tap into blog posts:
Statue of Diana of Versailles
The men who listened to Demetris raised their voices, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”