“. . . Paul purposed in the Spirit. . .” – Acts 19:21
If what we do as Christians, or a Church as a whole, is only done by mere human means, we will not accomplish much if anything of eternal worth. People are often introduced to “God” through a religious system. The religion has certain rules, regulations, rituals, and rabbinical-like enforcers. What God revealed and delivered as a means to draw people to Himself and to help them understand who He is, is too often locked up in a structure. Sometimes those structures are reduced to human expressions of human ideas that have little to do with the humble and humbling message of God our Creator.
Those who rely on religion will always oppose those who live by a relationship with God in Christ. In Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer He began, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Knowing someone conveys the idea of relationship. When someone repents of their sins and trust Jesus as their Savior they enter into a relationship with God through Jesus. Relationships are not static but dynamic, they must grow in order to live and flourish. When we marry someone we think they know them, but the first year of marriage usually throws a monkey wrench into that notion. I’ve been married for over four decades and I’m still learning things about my wife! Relationships grow through seasons of life and many changes. While Jesus is eternal and never changes, we do, and so our relationship with Him involves learning and adapting and obeying as he reveals himself to us in our very temporal journey of life.
Religion, whether “Christian” or non-Christian, is not like that. Religion is learning some ceremonies and rituals and then repeating them over and over again. Whatever the ceremonies or rituals initially meant to remind people of, is lost in the monotonous repetition. When we find ourselves in a trial, and we turn to religion, its hollow, empty, ineffective to empower us to weather the storms of life. The Gospel opens the relational door to so much more.
The Spirit Acts Against False Religion
In the Book of Acts the early Church was birthed at Pentecost and was referred to as “The Way.” In the remainder of this chapter we will see what happens when “The Way” clashes with the false religion of pagan idolatry. These verses will help us define “The Way” as well as false religion. It’s important for Christians to know what they are supposed to be based on the earliest development of the Church. It is important for Christians to also know the sign sof false religion so that they don’t get caught up in it.
Acts 19:21 – “When these things were accomplished,
What things were accomplished? The context tells us that which was accomplished was the instruction to the disciples at Ephesus about the empowering baptism with the Holy Spirit (19:1-7), the ministering to those in the synagogue and then moving on from those who refused the gospel (19:8-9), and then continuing for two years “so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (19:10). Among that which was accomplished was also the demonstration of the power of the Name of Jesus in contrast to the magic and sorcery practices in Ephesus which led to many who had practiced magic to bring their books and burn them (19:11-20).
Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
With such victorious ministry Paul “purposed in the Spirit” to move on “through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem.” After returning to Jerusalem, Paul felt compelled to go to Rome.
Notice, Paul moved by the Spirit (19:21 – “Paul purposed in the Spirit”). That is how all disciples should go about their lives, in the Spirit. The apostle Paul is a notable example of this in Acts.
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
Paul’s normal practice was to take along travel companions “who ministered to him,” or for fellowship and friendship. But here he sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia and “he himself stayed in Asia for a time.” Paul stayed in Ephesus ministering.
The Way
23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
As Paul moved toward his destination of Jerusalem, “a great commotion” arose. Sometimes, when the Spirit directs us, He directs us right into a great commotion! (19:22-23).
In the Book of Acts the early Church birthed at Pentecost was referred to as “The Way.” We seldom see the Church referred to as “The Way” anymore. In fact, there are a lot of things done in the Church that find no basis in Scripture. Some hide behind what they say are methods based on Biblical “principle.” But today’s Church leaves a lot to be desired when compared to the Church in Acts.
The Church of Jesus Christ was designed to facilitate a relationship with God more than what it has become, a religion. In Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer He defined eternal life in the following way.
John 17:3 (NKJV) – 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Jesus defined eternal life in distinctively relational terms not as a religion. The idea of knowing “the only true God, and Jesus Christ,” is to know by experience (Greek ginosko). The objective of the Church for its members and the hope of every person is eternal life. That “eternal life,” according to Jesus, is having a relationship with Him and His Father. Jesus has made that possible through His redemptive work on the cross and His confirming resurrection.
Relationship versus religion. What is the difference between a relationship with God versus a religious idea toward God? The answer to that question is found in what Jesus went on to state in His High Priestly Prayer.
John 17:4 (NKJV) – 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
There are two things in this statement by Jesus that are significant to delineate between relationship and religion. The first is Jesus’ statement, “I have glorified You on the earth.” The verb “glorified” (Greek edouxasa – Aorist/Active/Indicative of doxadzo – to ascribe glory to, to honor, to praise) speaks of something accomplished or simply completed. The second statement by Jesus of significance is, “I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” The verb “finished” (Greek eteleiosa – Aorist/Active/Indicative of teleioo – make perfect, complete, finish, accomplish; bring to completion, perfect) also speaks of something completed. Keep in mind that Jesus made this statement to the Father in His prayer before He went to the cross. His life brought glory to the Father. The raising of Lazarus from the dead brought glory to the Father (John 11:4). The life and ministry of Jesus before the cross brought glory to God.
But wasn’t the cross the primary mission of Jesus to provide a way for our sins to be forgiven and have eternal life? Yes. Jesus Himself pointed to the cross as His glory (cf. John 12:23-24). The Father said, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again” (John 12:28). But Jesus speaks of glorifying the Father on the earth, as completed. Then He adds, “I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” How was Jesus’ glorifying work finished, completed, perfected, if He had yet to go to the cross? The answer to that question is that Jesus was speaking proleptically.
Jesus spoke proleptically? A proleptic statement is a statement of a future event that is so certain of happening, that it is spoken of beforehand as already occurring. Sports fans speak proleptically when they speak with certainty of their team losing before they have actually played the game. Students who speak ahead of time of failing a test because they haven’t studied, are speaking proleptically. Christians who speak of dying and assuredly going into the presence of the Lord based on faith in Jesus and His word, are speaking proleptically. When Jesus ascended to heaven the angels spoke proleptically of His return (Acts 1:11). When Jesus spoke in His Prayer of His being glorified at the cross and no doubt by His resurrection, he was speaking proleptically.
That Jesus’ mission of the cross was actually accomplished and His resurrection “finished,” makes it vitally important to distinguish between relationship and religion. Someone who has a saving relationship with God in Christ can have a saving relationship with God because Jesus has completed the work of redemption by paying our sin-death penalty on the cross (cf. Romans 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:21). The resurrection is proof that God the Father accepted the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus cross and resurrection provides us with certainty about our eternity.
“Good news” The word gospel means “good news.” The Gospel is good news because our forgiveness of sins and eternal life are not based on anything we do, but on what Jesus has already done. If our salvation is based on the completed work of Jesus, not our works, then it is certain and secure. Because a relationship with God in Christ depends on Jesus’ completed work, we rest in that completed work and know with certainty that it is our possession, according to God, by faith (Romans 5 and 8). We have a blessed assurance by faith that through Jesus eternal life is ours.
Grace. God offers us forgiveness of our sins and eternal life as a gift of His grace to be received by faith (cf. Ephesians 2:1-9). Because God is faithful to His word, we have assurance of His promised eternal life. A religious orientation has no assurance of salvation or eternal life because it is based not on receiving the gospel by faith, but on the individual’s good works. When you depend on what you must do to be right with God, you are never certain if you have done enough. When you depend on your work it is always uncertain, unknown, unassured that what you do is enough. Religions, including “Christian” versions of religion, depend on what people do as the basis for them earning eternal life. Karma is often ambiguous. Allah can abrogate his decisions. No one knows what will happen in a caste system. And a religious brand of “Christianity” that depends on human works rather than God’s grace is a FALSE gospel. The “gospel” of religious Christianity is really no gospel at all. Paul spends the better part of two epistles refuting the idea of anyone working their way to heaven (cf. Romans and Galatians). Religion is a system where human authorities assign and determine how much work is enough to satisfy their perceived requirements of “God” to secure a blissful afterlife.
Relational good news. The relational good news of Jesus Christ is that He has done all the heavy lifting, He has completed all the redemptive work. Because He has made the benefits of His redemptive work available to us simply by receiving it by faith, then we can be assured of our salvation. The gospel leads to strong, steady, certain, assured, confident saved followers of Jesus. By faith in Jesus Christ we are justified or assured that God sees us legally just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned. The good news gospel relationship is one of peace and security.
Religious bad news. Religion is bad news. Attempting to satisfy or approach God religiously has no peace and security. Religious people may rely on presumption, but because of relying on their own efforts, they are never truly certain of the destiny. The life of a religionist is filled with uncertainty and obligation, work, and sweat, and labor, nervousness, discomfort, guilt, and a diminished glory to God. Religions based on works focus on human accomplishments. The religionist gets the glory for jumping through their god’s hoops. In religion the emphasis is on what I have to do. The gospel of God proclaims what Jesus has done. The gospel gives glory to God and creates a spiritually fruitful worshipful response to God. We exalt Him and praise Him for His glorious merciful and gracious gospel. When we relate to God religiously we are tempted to see God as tyrannical, enslaving, harsh, mean, and vindictive. We better do what God says, or He’ll send us straight to hell! The good news of the gospel is that Jesus paid our debt of death for our sins on the cross, and offers the benefits of His work, eternal life, freely to the one who trusts in Him and His work on the cross. We know this is true because Jesus rose from the dead. A religious brand of Christianity may have images of the cross of Christ and even speak of the resurrection, but their emphasis on human work and efforts exposes their misunderstanding of God’s good news message. That is the difference between a relational versus a religious view of God.
Religionists will always oppose relationalists. Religion creates an environment where a person takes pride in their work. Relating to God relationally on the other hand because it is based on God’s grace, humbles us. The Bible states God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Religion, because it is lifeless, ends up being a form of humanism or a people-centered worldview. When the life-giving water of the Holy Spirit is gushing out of true gospel Christians, it always creates a clash with the stony-hearted religionists.
The Way. We see this clash between relationship and religion in the book of Acts. On the Third Missionary Journey Paul came to the city of Ephesus, a hotbed of pagan religion. In Acts 19 “there arose a great commotion about the Way” (Acts 19:23). In Acts, Christianity was known in the world as “The Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9 and 23; 24:14, 22). The word “way” (Greek hodos) means a road, a route, a journey, metaphorically it means a course of conduct, a way of thinking, a world view. The definite article “the” distinguishes this “way” as “The Way,” a particular worldview and way of living.
“The Way” emphasizes that early Christians were known by THE WAY of Christlike gospel thinking and the way it impacted the life they lived. The Way was composed of people transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Those who were a part of “The Way,” had changed, they were different than they once were, better (e.g., Saul became Paul – Acts 9). “The Way” was “the way of salvation” and even demons who possessed people knew this (Acts 16:17). The Way was a powerful new group of people whose God, Jesus, was able to confront persecutors, knock them down off their high horse, convert them, and assimilate them into Spirit empowered proponents of The Way, (e.g., Saul to Paul in Acts 9).
The Way was a particular way of living in Christ that involved new birth in the Spirit and the baptism with the Holy Spirit and power (Acts 18:24-28). The Way was made up of those led by the Spirit – like Paul in Acts 19:21. The Way spread the gospel everywhere (Acts 19:21-22). The people of The Way were fulfilling the Great Commission wherever they went (Mat 28:18-20). The Way cut into the profits of the religious because the REAL RELATIONSHIP with Jesus exposed the bankruptcy and emptiness of pagan idolatry (Acts 19:23-27). The Way was violently opposed by religionists (Acts 19:28-34). The Way was civically opposed (Acts 19:35-41). The Way was cautious toward but not deterred by opposition (Acts 19:31; 9:2).
Testimony. The people of The Way had a testimony (Acts 24:10-16). Paul testified that The Way was a “sect” (Greek hairesis). A “sect” is a group made up of members who are a part of the group by choice. This group was distinguished by their own tenets or beliefs. Because a sect often broke off from a larger body of people, they were frequently accused of being heretical (Acts 24:14). Those of The Way like Paul did not go looking for trouble but didn’t avoid it either. They were courageous in their witness (Acts 24:12-13). The Way was known for worshipping God and obeying His word (OT at the time – Acts 24:14). The Way’s central message for which they were known was that there is hope in Jesus because of His death and resurrection (Acts 24:15). The Way lifestyle was one that strove to have a good conscience without offense toward God and men (Acts 24:16). This is a good clear picture of the early followers of Jesus who were a growing group who came to be known as “The Way.”
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.26 “Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.27 “So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
The great commotion was linked to the diminishing worship of false idols due to the successful preaching of the gospel in the Spirit (19:26-27).
The particular idol worshipped in Ephesus was that of Diana. One dictionary states the following about this god:
ARTEMIS [i.e., Diana]. This was the Greek name of the goddess identified with the Latin Diana of classical mythology. The name Artemis is pre-Greek. She first appears in Greek literature as mistress and protectress of wildlife. (Cf. W. K. C. Guthrie, The Greeks, and their Gods, 1950, pp. 99ff.) In Greece proper she was worshipped as the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and twin sister of Apollo. Horror at the pains her mother endured at her birth is supposed to have made her averse to marriage. She was goddess of the moon and of hunting, and is generally portrayed as a huntress, wild dogs in attendance. Her temple at *Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the world, and here worship of the ‘virgin goddess’ appears to have been fused with some kind of fertility-cult of the mother-goddess of Asia Minor. The temple was supported on 100 massive columns, some of which were sculptured. Tradition claims that her image fell there from the sky (Acts 19:35) and is thought to refer to a meteorite; Pliny tells of a huge stone above the entrance, said to have been placed there by Diana herself. Her worship was conducted by eunuch priests, called (Strabo, 14. 1. 23), and archaeologists have discovered statues depicting her with many breasts. The silversmiths who made small votary shrines, portraying the goddess in a recess with her lions in attendance, or possibly souvenir models of the temple, caused the riot when Paul was ministering there (Acts 19:23-20:1). Their cry of ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!‘ (Acts 19:28, 34) is attested by inscriptions from Ephesus which call her ‘Artemis the Great’ (CIG, 2963c; Greek Inscriptions in the British Museum, iii, 1890, 481. 324).[1]
The false god Diana/Artemis was no match for the Spirit empowered gospel of Jesus Christ. But this didn’t mean the followers and profiteers of Diana were going to take their losses lying down. If Satan can’t win, he’s going to kick and scream and throw a tantrum. If Satan can’t deceive, he will try to intimidate and if possible destroy the work and workers of God.
Religious Resistance
28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?36 “Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.37 “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.38 “Therefore, 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.39 “But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.40 “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.”41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.”
In Ephesus, therefore, we see what happens when the Spirit encounters false religion. What can we learn from this encounter? We can summarize the following things from this passage:
First, the underlying concern of the idol craftsman was loss of profit (19:24-25). Profit and religion often go hand in hand. This is true because religion is man’s attempt to reach God or a god and is a work of the flesh. When the flesh is involved in anything, the focus is ultimately on selfish gain. A religious person is out to get fire insurance for eternity, or they are out to secure blessings and benefits to enrich themselves in this life. All of it is based on profits.
Second, false religion is no match for Spirit empowered gospel (19:26). Paul was directed by the Spirit to preach that gods made with hands are not gods. Paul spoke out against talisman or the charms of false gods. False religions lack the Spirit and are dead spiritually. That is why those who were sincerely seeking after God were leaving the false religion of Artemis for the new life in Christ found in the gospel presented by the Spirit through the apostles.
Third, false religion responds to the Spirit’s truth with wrath and fanatical anger (19:27-29). When confronted with the truth, false religion doesn’t rationally weigh the evidence, it shouts in anger. (E.g., “Don’t confuse me with the facts!”). When Muslims are confronted with the logical facts that show the falsehood and errors of their beliefs and “holy” book, the Koran, they often shut their ears and minds and raise the volume of their speaking to give the impression that their conviction is good enough. But it is not. No amount of shouting can squelch the truth of God as the Spirit reveals it in His word. Like Islam fundamentalists, these Ephesians grabbed anyone associated with the Spirit’s truth and abuses them.
Fourth, those led by the Spirit should use caution and restraint when confronted by fanatical religionists (19:30-31). Paul wanted to go into the crowd and try to reason with them, but when his friends advised him against it, he listened. There is no use putting yourself in harm’s way with a fanatical crowd. You may think such action is brave and courageous, but it may just as well be a fleshly attempt to impress God and others. It could be you are testing God which is sin (Mathew 4:5-7).
Fifth, the presence of confusion indicates these false religionists were not of God (19:32). God is not the Author of disarray or confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). You can be sure Satan is at work when there is confusion and chaos present in a situation. When such a situation arises, it would be prudent to pray for God to give you the peace that surpassed understanding (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).
Sixth, the fanaticism of false religion does not listen to reason and only shouts louder (19:33-34). As stated before, when an opponent is faced with truth, especially truth that threatens to expose falsehood in his life or belief system, often they will shout in an immature attempt to drown out the words of truth (Jeremiah 10:14-16).
Seventh, the fanaticism of false religion is often controlled by government intervention (19:35-41). One reason for secular governments is to protect people from such fanaticism (Romans 13). When false religion and government is intertwined, (such as in Islamic states like Saudi Arabia, or Sharia Law influenced communities in the United States), an extremely dangerous situation arises where persecution of believers (even unto death) becomes acceptable. In Islamic states witnessing or winning a Muslim to faith in Christ is a crime punishable by death. Frequently, when a Muslim is won to Christ, the evangelist is persecuted and murdered by riotous mobs before the governments can even intervene. We see this today in India, and in Muslim countries. There are communities in the United States where sharing the gospel is being restricted for fear of “offending” Muslims. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is the friend of those sharing the gospel, if it is enforced. Increasingly we see the government choosing to restrict freedom of speech to avoid riots like we see in Ephesus. The Roman government set the example here and protected the disciples.
Religious fanaticism is no match for the power of the Spirit working through people like Paul. It is because Paul was empowered by the Holy Spirit that God could use him in such a situation. What would you have done in such a situation? Would you have run for cover, or stood firm like Paul? Do you envy Paul’s power and the way he was used by the Lord to confront such false religion? Similar situations are being seen increasingly in the world today. You can have the same kind of power. Surrender to the Spirit and ask Him to empower you and use you. Request and receive by faith the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. O LORD, pour out Your Spirit on Your people, make us what we need to be, to do what You call us to do, for Your glory, until You return. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
[1]The New Bible Dictionary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1962.