a paraphrased study
21 - Now after all this, Paul thought in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go on to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must go also to Rome.” 22 And after sending into Macedonia two helpers, Timothy (well known to us) and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while longer. 23 And at about that time there arose a contention and disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith by trade, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought a lot of business to the craftsmen. 25 He gathered together the craftsmen, and some other workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know it is from this business that we gain our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods we make with our hands are not gods! 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be thought to be nothing, and she may even lose the reputation of her magnificence. She whom all Asia and the world worship!” 28 And when they heard this they were enraged and started loudly chanting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city became filled with confusion, and they rushed into the theater of Ephesus, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who they knew traveled with Paul. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples wouldn’t let him. 31 And even some friends from the town and region, sent word to him urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some in the crowd were crying out one thing, and some were crying out something else altogether. The whole assembly was in confusion. Most didn’t even know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd sent forward Alexander, to talk to the crowd, because he was a well known Hebrew among them. So Alexander, motioning with his hand, tried to calm the crowd. 34 But when they recognized he was Jewish, for about two hours they cried out as with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 But when the town clerk had finally quieted them, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis!? And of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing that these things are well known and and accepted by all, you should quiet down now and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are not proven to be sacrilegious nor to have blasphemed our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges. 39 And if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For today we are in danger of being charged with rioting, for there is no reason we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 After he said these things, the crowd dispersed.
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Very Brief Outline of Acts:
Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).
The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.
The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).
Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest. ..And yes he was executed because of what he taught, as were all the original disciples turned apostles, except for probably John, who in his later years wrote three short letters and the vision and book of Revelation.
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