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For example, a letter sent from Apollonius to the Ephesians is addressed: Ephesion
grammateusi--"To the Ephesian town-clerk".
The town-clerk refers to the city of the Ephesians as a "worshipper" (neocoros) of the
goddess Diana. The word used by Luke here is peculiar, and means literally "a temple
sweeper". This eventually became a title of high honour, and was boastfully exhibited on
the coins of the period.
In verse 38 we read:
"The law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another" (Acts 19: 38).
We learn from Pliny that these large cities were assize towns, and he specifically
names in the province of Asia, Sardis, Smyrna and Ephesus. The town-clerk refers to the
presence of the pro-consuls (or "deputies") and indicates that the "assizes" were actually
on--"The law is open" (Agoraioi agontai).
It has been said that the recorder's speech here might well be regarded as a model for
popular harangue. Such excitement, suggests the recorder was undignified, as the
grandeur of their worship was unimpeached; it was unjustifiable, as they could prove
nothing against the men; it was unnecessary, as other means of redress were open to
them; and finally, if neither pride nor justice prevailed, the thought of the Roman power
should have restrained them--for, as Hackett has remarked, "There was nothing on
which the Roman looked with such jealousy as a tumultuous meeting".
The accuracy of Luke's record and the danger in which the Apostle was placed are
illustrated by the account we have of the martyrdom of Polycarp.
"The proconsul, observing Polycarp filled with confidence and joy, and his
countenance brightened with grace, was astonished, and sent the herald to proclaim in the
middle of the stadium, `Polycarp confesses that he is a Christian'. When this was
declared by the herald, all the multitude, Gentiles and Jews, dwelling in Smyrna called
out `This is that teacher of Asia, the father of the Christians, the destroyer of our gods; he
that teacheth the multitude not to sacrifice, nor to worship'. Saying this, they cried out,
and asked Philip the Asiarch to let a lion loose upon Polycarp" (Euseb. H. E. 4: 15).
We must now bring our survey of this incident to a close with two further notes:
(1) The word ekklesia is used in Acts 19: on three occasions, and it is well to bear
the implications of this fact in mind when we are speaking of the "Church". The
passages are as follows:
"The assembly was confused" (Acts 19: 32).
"Determined in a lawful assembly" (Acts 19: 39).
"He dismissed the assembly" (Acts 19: 41).