{"id":1960,"date":"2019-12-11T11:24:22","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T19:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/?p=1960"},"modified":"2019-12-11T11:24:22","modified_gmt":"2019-12-11T19:24:22","slug":"devotion-acts-1928-41-the-word-versus-the-mob-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/?p=1960","title":{"rendered":"Devotion Acts 19:28-41 The Word Versus The Mob Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Acts 19:28-41\u00a0<\/b>–\u00a0When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: \u201cGreat is Artemis of the Ephesians!\u201d\u00a029\u00a0Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius\u00a0and Aristarchus,\u00a0Paul\u2019s traveling companions from Macedonia,\u00a0and all of them rushed into the theater together.\u00a030\u00a0Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples\u00a0would not let him.\u00a031\u00a0Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.\u00a0 32\u00a0The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.\u00a0Most of the people did not even know why they were there.\u00a033\u00a0The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned\u00a0for silence in order to make a defense before the people.\u00a034\u00a0But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: \u201cGreat is Artemis of the Ephesians!\u201d\u00a0 35\u00a0The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: \u201cFellow Ephesians,\u00a0doesn\u2019t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?\u00a036\u00a0Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash.\u00a037\u00a0You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples\u00a0nor blasphemed our goddess.\u00a038\u00a0If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen\u00a0have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls.\u00a0\u00a0 They can press charges.\u00a039\u00a0If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly.\u00a040\u00a0As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.\u201d\u00a041\u00a0After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: \u201cGreat is Artemis of the Ephesians!\u00a0\u00a029\u00a0Soon the whole city was in an uproar.<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0These people thought that Artemis, the main goddess of their city, was being defiled.\u00a0\u00a0Among the ardent of false religions and cultic beliefs, especially where they are concentrated, they will quickly rally and unite if a threat is thought.\u00a0\u00a0Growing mobs develop rallying cries and this one had as theirs \u201cGreat is Artemis of the Ephesians.!\u201d Shouting their cry other easy excitable people joined the mob, though they may have known nothing else about the cause but the chant.\u00a0\u00a0It is no different today.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people seized Gaius\u00a0and Aristarchus,\u00a0Paul\u2019s traveling companions from Macedonia,\u00a0and all of them rushed into the theater together.<\/i>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The mob wanted to seize Paul but did not find him where they expected so they seized Gaius and Aristarchus.\u00a0\u00a0Mobs demand satisfaction and if they could not have Paul they would take whoever was associated with him.\u00a0\u00a0So they grabbed the travelling companions of Paul.\u00a0\u00a0They intended to have someone to vent their anger on.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The open air theater in Ephesus was large as it was able to hold about twenty-five thousand people.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The huge mob filled the theater.<\/div>\n
\"Inline<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
This mob was an angry snowball gaining size and strength, waiting to hit something and explode.<\/div>\n

\u201cPaul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples\u00a0would not let him.\u00a031\u00a0Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.<\/i>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0When Paul found out what was happening he wanted to rush into the theater and preach the Gospel and defend himself, but the disciples that were with him, justifiably fearing for his safety, prevented him from doing so.\u00a0\u00a0Likewise the officials of the province begged him to not go into the theater lest the rioters tear Paul physically apart.\u00a0\u00a0These officials seemed to have known Paul and had concern for Paul, but definitely they were also concerned that word about the unrest would get to Rome.\u00a0\u00a0Rome could come down very hard on the city if they deemed it was not in control.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.\u00a0Most of the people did not even know why they were there.<\/i>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Some might assume that Luke was being sarcastic, or mocking, in this description.\u00a0\u00a0However, for one who considers that the Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-14, 2 Peter 1:20-21<\/b>) then this would not be an exception.\u00a0\u00a0It is more likely that Luke was merely describing the situation as it was.\u00a0\u00a0The fact that many people would be there and not know fully, if at all, what is going on, is not surprising.\u00a0\u00a0There have been many reporters on live television that interview people in a large group who are holding signs of protestation but when interviewed, they know very little of the group cause.\u00a0\u00a0Or, as one pastor relates, that a crowd can gather around a public fight very quickly so that the people on the outside of the crowd cannot see the fight or who is fighting, but are gathered only out of curiosity.<\/p>\n

The people of the world take sides about Godly matters.\u00a0\u00a0The variations of sides seems endless, however we may break down their claimed beliefs into those who believe in the existence of God, those who don\u2019t believe in the existence of God, and those who just aren\u2019t sure one way or the other.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Most of the time what the unbeliever\u2019s claim as their belief is what the \u201cmob\u201d around them proclaims.\u00a0\u00a0It often is wrongly concluded that the atheist and the agnostic are highly intelligent because of their beliefs though there is nothing compelling leading to that belief.\u00a0\u00a0Usually it is found that their arguments are not predicated on true fact but rather on the shaky ground of pre-supposed bias and presumptions.\u00a0\u00a0Family and Friends, we ought not to follow a mob when we don\u2019t fully know what the mob believes and what is the basis for the belief.\u00a0\u00a0However, believing in God, what He has done, what He has planned, and what He has carried out is explained in the inerrant facts He has given to us in the Bible.\u00a0\u00a0Yes, facts.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s not follow ungodly groups or mobs, but instead understand and hold to the fact that\u00a0\u201cFor God so loved\u00a0the world that he gave\u00a0his one and only Son,\u00a0that whoever believes\u00a0in him shall not perish but have eternal life<\/i>.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0(John 3:16<\/b>)\u00a0\u00a0Join the group that follows Jesus Savior and Lord.\u00a0\u00a0Then delve into the Word of God that reveals the Truth so that you may understand and grow.\u00a0\u00a0It is what all believers are called to do (2 Timothy 2:15<\/b>).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God\u2019s Holy Spirit will reveal the Truth to you and the Truth will set you free (John 8:32<\/b>).\u00a0\u00a0God is good all the time and He loves you.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cTaste and see that the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge\u00a0in Him.<\/i>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0(Psalm 34:8<\/b>)\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t follow the largest \u201cthought mob\u201d that is of the world, they are on the wrong path.\u00a0\u00a0Jesus said \u201cEnter through the narrow gate.\u00a0For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.\u00a014\u00a0But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.<\/i>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0(Matthew 7:13-14<\/b>)\u00a0\u00a0All religious and philosophical thoughts that are not from the Word of God, or that oppose it, are wrong and deadly.\u00a0\u00a0Follow Jesus, only through Him, as purposed by the Father, is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6<\/b>) that leads to Heaven.\u00a0\u00a0Praise God!<\/p>\n

Psalm 150:6<\/b>\u00a0–\u00a0Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.\u00a0 Praise the Lord!<\/i><\/p>\n

Micah 7:7<\/b>\u00a0–\u00a0But as for me, I watch\u00a0in hope\u00a0for the\u00a0Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear\u00a0me.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Micah 6:8<\/b>\u00a0–\u00a0He has shown You, O man, what\u00a0is\u00a0good; And what does the\u00a0Lord\u00a0require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Numbers 6:24-26<\/b>\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0Lord\u00a0bless you and keep you; 25\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26\u00a0the\u00a0Lord\u00a0turn His face\u00a0toward you and give you peace.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Acts 19:28-41\u00a0–\u00a0When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: \u201cGreat is Artemis of the Ephesians!\u201d\u00a029\u00a0Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius\u00a0and Aristarchus,\u00a0Paul\u2019s traveling companions from Macedonia,\u00a0and all of them rushed into the theater together.\u00a030\u00a0Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples\u00a0would not let him.\u00a031\u00a0Even some of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1192],"tags":[82,100,101,94,1874,90,17,2036],"class_list":["post-1960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-devotion","tag-acts","tag-john","tag-matthew","tag-micah","tag-numbers","tag-peter","tag-psalm","tag-timothy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1960"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1961,"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1960\/revisions\/1961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.Bob4God.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}