Acts 19

“Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth … And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing" (25-27).  In Ephesus as all over the world, religion was mixed up with economics and cultural identity.  As people turned away from idols to follow Jesus, the market for gold, silver, and ceramic figures weakened, and the cultural prominence of Ephesus was threatened.  

Putting faith in action, believers burned magic books and repented of their old ways (v18-19).  Amid this public, risky, enthusiastic witness, “the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” (v20).