Acts 19: an encouraging word for the pro-life movement
While many Christians today may point to the book of Acts for courage and perseverance in the face of persecution, these stories from the early church also offer us a guide to engagement when allies disagree.
To be clear, I did not come to this realization on my own. The idea for application of the text has been bubbling over the last few weeks, from thoughtful preaching through this text in Acts 19. Reading the scripture and listening to teaching on this text, I could not help but see parallels to recent events.
Since June 24, 2022, when the Supreme Court handed down a major victory for the pro-life movement in Dobbs v. JWHO, a fierce wave of backlash has galvanized pro-abortion activists. These activists have threatened pregnancy centers, firebombed pro-life organizations, and even attempted to assassinate a sitting Supreme Court justice. Pro-life advocates seeking advance federal limits on abortion, as they have since the beginning of the pro-life movement, have been baffled by the reticence of those who up until this summer were ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the pro-life movement to advance policies restricting abortion.
Just as Paul in Ephesus watched thousands turn to Christ leading to backlash from those profiting from the pagan practices in the city, the pro-life movement, in the wake of victory of Dobbs and ensuing chaos from those profiting from the sinful practice of abortion, is at a pivotal crossroads. Does the pro-life movement tap into Paul’s instinct to engage or listen to the advice of his disciples and the local authorities that may not hold his mission as their first priority?
Victory is not for our own glory
Pro-life advocates and the pro-life faithful nationwide since 1973 longed for the day that our nation’s extremely liberal abortion regime set by judicial fiat would be once again returned to the democratic process or the clear life protections of the 14th Amendment finally be realized in law. This nearly-fifty year struggle had it’s own highs and lows experienced by advocates, canvassers, sidewalk counselors, and all the rest of those pushing the movement forward.
For Paul, his evangelism in Ephesus was not without pushback and the need for patient endurance. He deviated from his usual synagogue speaking circuit to invest in a small group for a 2 year span making it one of his longer visits.
8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, having discussions and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took the disciples away with him, and had discussions daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
The proceeding verses in Acts 19:11–20 tell of the great works done by God through Paul and the disciples in Ephesus. These miracles point to God’s power and preeminence in a gentile city known for idol worship.
The power the name of Jesus Christ was also noticed by Jewish exorcists who thought they could tap into this power for their own gain despite not their unbelief in the gospel. This leads them to being overpowered by evil and that later cast out by Paul demonstrating the importance of true faith. Verse 17–20 highlights the importance of this contrast, as fear of the Lord is awakened in the people leading to great change in the city.
“This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. Also many of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they added up the prices of the books and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing mightily.
Pro-life advocates have often be called “voices for the voiceless” and as President Reagan acknowledged in his typically witty way, “everybody who is for abortion has already been born.” The pro-life ethos is fundamentally selfless. This does not mean that human nature will not take over for some who will seek to make their advocacy about building a brand rather than saving lives, but largely advocates like this find little traction in the pro-life movement. On the flip side, many of the pro-life movement’s most effective leaders have been those who have sought to advance protections for life over their own ego.
In the light of the wonderous Dobbs decision, pro-life advocates, to be effective, must remain true to their mission to advocate for the unborn, place self-interest aside, and focus on the most ambitious policies within a given political context to save lives.
Fear God, not man
The tradesmen of Ephesus were rattled to see the people of the city renounce their pagan beliefs and follow Jesus even at a cost of “fifty thousand pieces of silver.” Driven by greed, Demetrius, who one might liken to a modern union boss organized an uprising in Ephesus. Aware that the people broadly would not be galvanized by industry interests but could be moved by overtures to city pride and honor to Artemis, Demetrius disguises his greed to build support.
24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing business to the craftsmen; 25 he gathered these men together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all. 27 Not only is there danger that this trade of ours will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as worthless, and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”
Similarly, the abortion industry, has sought to disguise its business as a defense of women’s rights or personal autonomy. Moreover, as others have exposed, big business has also benefited from abortion leading them to incentivize abortion over family leave or adoption. Media narratives around the Women’s March, which has become increasingly transparent about support for abortion, demonstrate the ultimate conflation of what is thought of women’s liberation and the interests of the abortion industry.
Interestingly, when social scientists investigate how these progressive elites actually live, it’s revealed that while they will prescribe progressive values to others, they live more traditionally than others allowing those of lower social classes to deal with the ideals sown by value-signaling blue checks on Twitter.
The decision in Dobbs, upset the interests of many in big business, media, and government who have allied with the abortion industry just as Paul’s preaching of the Gospel upset those profiteering from the worship of Artemis.
In Ephesus, Demetrius and his mob were successful in whipping the city into a frenzy, shouting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” for hours. In America, the abortion industry and their allies have amassed an $150 million warchest to spread fear and lies in order to motivate voters in the midterm elections.
Pro-life advocates must remain steadfast in educating the public of the truth obscured by euphemisms like “choice” and “reproductive freedom.” While the backlash might seem overwhelming, we must remember that as long as we hold to the truth, we are advancing fundamental human dignity and the imago dei.
Allies may disagree, but the mission continues
The final piece to this story from Ephesus focuses on the differing reactions to the riot. Paul, in boldness, darts toward the crowd. His disciples counsel him to hold back. The “Asiarchs,” the provincial officials who had become friends of Paul, also petitioned him to stay out of the fray.
30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater. 32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.
Both the disciples and government officials sought to protect Paul from the mob. While the disciples’ and Asiarch’s motivations are not expressed in the scripture and thus any reading too their actions remains speculative, one could reason that their care for Paul’s safety superseded their thoughts of Paul’s ultimate calling. We are not privy to their strategy sessions.
However, we do know the conservations of the present day. Much like Paul eager to engage the populace of Ephesus, the pro-life movement is ready to build on Dobbs to advance protections for unborn children, mothers, and families. Meanwhile, some conservative allies and government officials urge the pro-life movement to sit on the sidelines for this election. This advise from the consultant class and officials fearing midterm losses may be charitably considered to be founded in a particular type of “care” for the pro-life cause, but saying “just wait until after the election” looks to ultimately serves their interests over the mission of the pro-life movement.
Friends can disagree on tactics, timing, and tone, but for the pro-life movement, the responsibility to remain focused on the ultimate goal of protecting unborn life must come first.
God did not give Paul the platform that day to witness to their theater full of angry Ephesians. Instead, he worked through city leaders who pointed to institutions for justice to calm the crowd.
38 So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; have them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed, we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real reason for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly.
In the long run, through the witness of Paul and later Timothy, God raised up a robust church in Ephesus against the backdrop of a hostile crowd. Through this persecution, God shaped faithful witnesses ready to endure conflict for the advancement of the Gospel.
So, just as Paul’s witness to the Ephesians did end with his initial witness and miracles, the pro-life movement cannot rest on the victory in Dobbs and expect all to fall into place. On the contrary, Dobbs kicked a hornet’s nest of well-funded interests ready to push against fundamental human dignity. We ought to steady ourselves, reaffirm our duty, and rest in the encouragement that we advance on the side of truth.
