It is a terrible thing when a state controls religion. We saw how in China, the communist regime (Socialist) tried to destroy the Church by burning Churches, Bibles, killing off pastors and believers and imprisoning others. For appeasement and world acceptance they started a Church known as the Three Tiered Church for “Christianity”. The main leaders of the Church are government agents. Did they kill the Church? No! It went underground and is larger than ever. The same thing happened in the Soviet Union and in other countries. The question is … “Can the Government and the Church co-exist?” They can in co-exist in one of three ways …
(i) They ignore each other completely.
(ii) They support each other by mixing politics and religion and religion and politics.
(iii) The government permits the Church to be its conscience.
Normally and especially with Churches who have succumbed “Liberal Theology” or “Roman Theology” (Including other religions), cooperate with governments by overlooking many atrocities to protect their existence. What we see in the passage we looked at yesterday and will do today, that to exist within the Roman Empire as a religion, concessions were required. Yesterday we saw the Jews trying to get Alexander to defend their case again Paul (Christianity). Today we see a follower of Artemis defending that religion. Please read:
Ac 19:35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t 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? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today’s events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia.
1) The city clerk’s address.
Ac 19:35 The city clerk quieted the crowd.
This office differed from state to state but generally meant the City Secretary or Recorder. His duty was an executive officer of the civic assembly. He would participate in drafting decrees for debate and approval. When passed he would have them engraved. He would also be the liaison officer between the civic government and the Roman provincial administration. Their headquarters was in Ephesus. His task was a delicate one, for should there be any riotous assembly such as was happening, the Roman authority would hold him responsible and impose huge financial penalties upon the city.
2) The city as the religion’s guardian. Given the above, the city clerk somehow managed to calm the mob sufficiently to address them. What he says benefits the city, Christianity, Gaius, Aristarchus, Paul and Alexander the Jew. As we review what he has to say, remember he himself is a follower of the goddess Artemis and is a pagan … yet he uses clever diplomacy to stabilize things. He is a politician and very careful of the authority the Roman Office could exercise.
(1) All the world.
Ac 19:35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t 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?
He is basically saying that there is no need to riot and be upset because of what Paul was saying (and for that matter what the Jew, Alexander was trying to say) because the whole known world knew of the fame and divinity of the goddess Artemis. He adds that her ‘image’ fell from heaven … meaning it is not of human origin or workmanship. Apparently, in ancient times, objects have fallen from the skies such in our days. These were termed meteorites but later the term was extended to include sacred objects. According to him, the universe knew this so why panic … and more … we the Ephesian people are the guardians of this image and her temple! The word “guardian” was literally “temple-sweeper”. An inscription has been found with the words … “warden of Artemis”.
(2) The undeniable facts.
Ac 19:36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash.
The word “undeniable” means “cannot be contradicted”. This peace of rock (meteorite that fell from the skies) is our irrefutable proof. It is impossible to deny these facts he says. So … why behave unruly?
(3) The not guilty declaration. Now he shifts from “proving” to them their goddess is real and cannot be dislodged from her divine position and speaks of the men the mob seized.
Ac 19:37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess.
He has obviously had an informant tell him everything that had happened and explains that Gaius and Aristarchus were innocent of any crime.
(4) The proper procedure. He further explains that should Demetrius and his guild have a legal dispute against those they seized they are welcome to use the courts.
Ac 19:38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly.
He pushed the point that whatever they did needed to be legal. No Kangaroo Courts in his city! But he is not done yet …
3) The Roman Authorities.
Ac 19:40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today’s events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.”
If the whole city was in uproar, the Roman Authorities would have known about this riot. Maybe they backed off to give the city clerk space to diffuse things. But his point is that should they want, the Roman Authority would have the right to end all worship … not only Christian, or Jewish but that of Artemis too. Even though we cannot support what he says about the religion associated with the goddess Artemis, we have to admit the city clerk was very diplomatic and wise. He calmed the crowd, assured them their religious was safe and gave an unintended olive branch to Christianity. You will recall we spoke of apologetics awhile back. Although about a pagan religion, this is what the city clerk did. He defended the faith of Artemis to her followers. In place of us Christians getting hot under the collar when opposed or challenged about Jesus, the Bible or the Christian faith, we need to know the Gospel well to be able to defend the faith before those who oppose us.
4) The Departure of Paul.
Ac 19:41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia.
The time-bomb is diffused. The people go home or back to work. The captives are set free. With Holy Spirit provided wisdom, Paul decides to move away from Ephesus, so he calls the believers together, encourages them in the Gospel, greets them and departs for Macedonia.
Our Father, help us as Your people to be wise as we defend our faith in Jesus. Unlike what the city clerk said about a pagan idolatrous goddess, You are real … the only true God. Give us confidence to stand for You our Glorious God. Amen.