Sr. Pastor-Teacher: Rev. Mark A. Cain 

SERIES:  THE STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 19:  A RIOT AT EPHESUS, FANNING THE WRONG FLAME

TEXT (L61):         Acts 19:23-32

Memory Verse— "The city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia.”         Acts 19:29(NASB)

THE DOCTRINE OF IDOLATRY

1. Definition: Idolatry is putting anything in the place of or ahead of God (Ex. 20:4-6). Idols are usually things, but can be people also   (Ex. 32:1-8; 1 Cor. 10:14). Wanting another's possessions can be a form of idolatry (Ex. 20:3-4, 17; Col. 3:5).

2. Idolatry is analogous to spiritual adultery. Idolatry is an attack on Category One Love or love for God (Jer. 3:8-10; Ezk. 16:23-43; 23:24-30; Rev. 17:1-5).

3. Idolatry begins in the mind and proceeds to overt practices  (Judges 2:10-13; Ezk. 14:7)

4. Idolatry practiced by the "heathen" (any person who refuses to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior) is preceded by scar tissue on the soul, manifested by negative volition toward Bible doctrine and is one of the signs of apostasy (Rom. 1:18-25).

5. Demonism and demon possession is caused by idolatry           (Zech. 10:2), so that idolatry is called the devil's communion table      (1 Cor. 10:19-21).  

6. Because idolatry is related to both scar tissue of the soul and emotional revolt of the soul, it produces psychotic and neurotic conditions (Jer. 50:38; Deut. 28:28).   

7. Idolatry motivates the whole realm of sexual sins in the phallic cult (Ezk. 22:3-18; 23:37-49). The phallic cult came from the Phoenicians and includes immorality, such as incest, fornication, homosexuality (Rom. 1:24-28), bestiality (Lev. 18:3-25); demonism (Lev. 20:6); human sacrifice (Lev. 20:1-5; Acts 14:13) rejection of authority     (Lev. 20:9); and social degeneracy (Lev. 20:10-23).   

8. Therefore, idolatry brings historical crisis and national judgment to a client or priest nation (Isa. 2:8, 19-20; 21:9; 36:18-20; 37:12-19; Jer. 3:6-11; 2:27-30; 7:17-20). Note: God will bring the same judgment on unbelieving nations that attempt to influence His people with their brand of idolatry. The U.S.A.'s remedy = 1 Chron. 7:14.  

Back to Lessons Page