# Acts Chapter 19
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## Summarrium
Paul is passing through the country and arrives at Ephesus where he finds disciples that have not heard of the Holy Spirit nor been baptised in Jesus name which he addresses. Paul enters the Synagogue at Ephesus where he proclaims the word of the Lord boldly. Miracles occur so that even things that have come into contact with Pauls body heal the sick. Seven sons of a high priest names Sceva begin invoking he name of the Lord Jesus of those who were possessed by spirits. Yet one man with an evil spirit masters them all causing them to flee naked and wounded and this becomes known. 

Paul intends to go to Jerusalem and sends for Timothy and Erastus. Meanwhile in Ephasus Demetrius a silversmith incites the craftsmen of Ephasus to gather to address the problem that is Paul. He is concerned about the economic implications of Pauls actions; that individuals are turning from idols made of stone. This eventually leads to a riot where the town clerk has to tell the city to calm down or risk a charge of rioting.

## Meditatio
Acts often appears to be a series of disconnected narratives but indeed they paint a much larger picture of the great multiplicity of works that the Lord was involved within. From the pastoral work of Paul to ensure that believers are empowered to live lives that bear fruit in brining glory to his name. To individuals burning magical texts, there is a real sense that this had far reaching consequences not only for individuals but enitire communities.

Yet this social upheaval and change does not come easily. Mistakes are made and indeed some times those sent by God to address the issues have their work cut out for them. This passage really made me think about how moves of God in a community or culture are hardly ever neat well organised affairs. Indeed they are more often than not require clarification (19:4), are accompanied by the miraculous (19:12), go profoundly wrong (19:16), lead to a return to the Lord (19:19), often have economic consequence (19:27) experience fierce opposition (19:34, 19:37).

It's easy to forget that social events are complex and multifaceted. It's easy to make the assumption that the early Church empowered by the Lord had it easy. Personally I can't imagine what it must have been like to have been the focus of an entire communities contempt, and to have sat through 2 hours of shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!". Lets just re-read that and think about that again. *Two hours* of being shouted at.