Acts 40. Acts 19:23-41

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“What aspects of your former lifestyle did you have to give up when you became serious about being a Christian?”
Leisure
Changed priorities re time 
Foul language
Tithing
 
For Thought and Discussion: How do people you know attempt to gain health, money, love, success, and security? Are any of their methods similar to magic? (Think about the health books, money books, or success books you have seen.)
 Job- hopping
Gambling
 
For Thought and Discussion: is healing still one way God shows His power? What are some other ways? 
 Yes, but He also shows His power in life lived with joy despite physical trouble and suffering (cf. 2 Cor 12:9). He shows His power in how His children enjoy and glorify Him
Improbable events.
In the movements of history.
Through faithful preaching (2 Cor 10:4)
 
8. Why were the Ephesian silversmiths against Paul (see 19:23-27)? 
Their business was threatened (19:24,27)
Their religion was mocked (19:26)
The significance of their city was threatened - wounded civic pride (19:27) 
 
9. How was this reason similar to the one that set some Philippians against Paul and Silas (see 16:16-21)? 
 Loss of profit ("their hope of gain was gone", 16:19)
Paul's preaching was tolerable until it threatened their livelihood 
 
10. Do economic interests set any groups against the gospel today? If so, give an example. 
Religious/occultic paraphernalia, books
Where governmental and religious/practical (e.g. in casinos) interests (e.g. tourism, taxes) coincide.
Where human freedoms are threatened by a governmental system. 
 
11. What protected Paul from the violence of an outraged mob (see 19:31,35-41)? 
The wise counsel of his fellow disciples (19:30) and high-ranking friends (19:31)
The reasoning of the town clerk:
  • the role of the city as custodian of the Temple of Artrenis was secure, being well-known (19:35)
  • there was therefore no threat as that presented by Demetrius (19:36)
  • Paul and his companions had not directly defamed the goddess or done anything to the temple (19:37)
  • there were legal channels to use against Paul (19:38)
  •  any other matters could be settled in public assembly (19:39)
  • the crowd was in danger of being charged with rioting (19:40) 
Luke may have recorded this reasoning at length as a defense, to show that the Christian message was not contrary to Roman law and did not disrupt public order.
  
 12. In light of this episode (see 19:37-40) and the one in Corinth (see 18:12-17), explain why Paul and Peter considered it so important that Christians carefully obey the civil laws (see Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). 
 Romans 13:1-7 - all authority has God as its source, including (unChristian civil authority). Civil government exercises that authority on God's behalf, as His servant, for our good) We must therefore submit to civll authority. Government rewards good and punishes bad behaviour. Conscience itself tells us to submit to civil authority as members of society.
 
1 Peter 2:13-17 - by submission we silence objections and opposition of those who do not know God. Our Christian freedom involves submission to God first, in a way that shows honour to all, special love to Christians and submission to the authorities He has instituted.

 
13. How is this episode relevant to your life? (What does it reveal about the church in the world? What attitudes and habits does it encourage you to adopt?) 
 Be good citizens, civic-minded - a concern for common good, not only for individual advancement or comfort.
Keep the law
 
We said goodbye to Jin Chong today - almost full attendance exept for Zhen Wei (who came later) and Mio!
 
 

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