Arthur T. Pierson explains in The Acts of the Holy Spirit: "When disciples have a true revival, society gets a revolution. When the Spirit moves mightily upon children of God we may look for other mighty movements among unbelievers, and need not be surprised if the devil himself comes down, having great wrath, as though he knew that his time were short." Acts 19:23 reads, "And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way." This happened as those of the Way carried out the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ recorded in the four gospels and the book of Acts. Note three scenes in this segment of the life and ministry of the apostle Paul.

First, he is in the line of sacred duty (Acts 19:21-27). Paul was in Ephesus at this time on his third missionary journey, where a silversmith named Demetrius who made shrines to Diana felt his livelihood threatened by the progress of the gospel. Many people "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9b). Demetrius called together others who also greatly profited from this craft, thus stirring up "a great commotion about the Way" (Acts 19:23b). In the line of sacred duty, it is good to remember as Adrian Rogers said, "The doors of opportunity swing on the hinges of opposition." Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, "But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

Second, he is in the face of serious danger (Acts 19:28-34). A riot ensued as instigated by the speech of Demetrius. Some of Paul's travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, were seized by the angry mob. Paul wanted to clear up the confusion, but some of his friends serving as Asian officials persuaded him not to go into the theater. A man named Alexander was put forward by the Jews to address the angry assembly, no doubt to keep them out of trouble since they did not participate in the idolatry. When they discovered he was a Jew, they cried out "with one voice for about two hours, 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians!'" (Acts 19:34). No wonder Paul writes, "I have fought with beasts at Ephesus" in 1 Corinthians 15:32.

Third, he is in the arms of sweet deliverance (Acts 19:35-41). Paul was protected by the short speech of a city clerk who was like a mayor in our day. He simply reminded the crowd that the Romans would not look with favor on such a disorderly assembly and there are courts and proconsuls if legitimate charges need to be filed. This calmed the crowd, and he dismissed the assembly. Paul was always quick to explain that even though there were times he despaired even of life that he trusted in God for His deliverance (2 Corinthians 1:8-10).

Let's faithfully follow and fulfill our Lord's Great Commission.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.