The guild meeting became a mob. Twenty-five thousand people poured into the Ephesian amphitheater, and Luke tells us most of them had no idea why they were there. They'd seen people running, heard a chant catching fire, and followed the noise. Paul's traveling companions Gaius and Aristarchus were dragged along as human mascots for a grievance nobody could articulate. The Jewish community shoved a man named Alexander forward to distance themselves, but the moment the crowd realized he was Jewish, they drowned him out with the chant for two hours straight: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.” Paul wanted to march in and preach. His friends wouldn't let him. Even pagan civic officials sent messengers begging him not to risk it. Sin scatters. The Spirit gathers. Sometimes the Spirit speaks through the people who block the door.
What is Acts Daily Devotional Podcast?
What if the story of the early church isn’t just history, but a blueprint for following Jesus today? The Acts Daily Devotional Podcast is a 141-day journey through the book of Acts in the Bible, hosted by Pastor Derek. Each short episode combines Scripture and practical teaching to help inspire your daily chair time with God, whether at home or on your drive to work. Starting April 26, discover how the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to advance the mission of Jesus from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.