Chapter 28—Days of Toil and Trial
This chapter is based on
Acts 19:21-41
;
20:1
.
For over three years Ephesus was the center of Paul’s work. A
flourishing church was raised up here, and from this city the gospel
spread throughout the province of Asia, among both Jews and Gentiles.
The apostle had now for some time been contemplating another
missionary journey. He “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.” In harmony with this plan “he
sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus
and Erastus;” but feeling that the cause in Ephesus still demanded his
presence, he decided to remain until after Pentecost. An event soon
occurred, however, which hastened his departure.
Once a year, special ceremonies were held at Ephesus in honor
of the goddess Diana. These attracted great numbers of people from
all parts of the province. Throughout this period, festivities were
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conducted with the utmost pomp and splendor.
This gala season was a trying time for those who had newly come to
the faith. The company of believers who met in the school of Tyrannus
were an inharmonious note in the festive chorus, and ridicule, reproach,
and insult were freely heaped upon them. Paul’s labors had given the
heathen worship a telling blow, in consequence of which there was
a perceptible falling off in the attendance at the national festival and
in the enthusiasm of the worshipers. The influence of his teachings
extended far beyond the actual converts to the faith. Many who had
not openly accepted the new doctrines became so far enlightened as to
lose all confidence in their heathen gods.
There existed also another cause of dissatisfaction. An extensive
and profitable business had grown up at Ephesus from the manufacture
and sale of small shrines and images, modeled after the temple and
the image of Diana. Those interested in this industry found their gains
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