Topical Encyclopedia The role of the town clerk, as mentioned in the Bible, is primarily found in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. The town clerk, or "grammateus" in Greek, was a significant civic official in the ancient cities of the Roman Empire. This position involved administrative duties, record-keeping, and often serving as a liaison between the local government and the Roman authorities.Acts 19:35-41 : In the city of Ephesus, the town clerk plays a crucial role during a tumultuous event involving the Apostle Paul. The passage describes a riot instigated by silversmiths who were concerned about the impact of Paul's teachings on their trade, which involved crafting idols of the goddess Artemis. The town clerk intervenes to restore order: "The city clerk quieted the crowd and said, 'Men of Ephesus, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be calm and not do anything rash. For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case, we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.' After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly." In this passage, the town clerk demonstrates wisdom and authority, calming the crowd and emphasizing the importance of lawful proceedings. His actions reflect the responsibilities of a town clerk to maintain public order and ensure that disputes are handled through proper legal channels. The town clerk's intervention highlights the balance between civic duty and religious sentiment in a city deeply devoted to its patron deity. His appeal to reason and legal process underscores the importance of governance and the rule of law in maintaining societal stability. The account of the town clerk in Ephesus provides insight into the administrative structure of ancient cities and the role of civic officials in managing public affairs. It also illustrates the challenges faced by early Christians as they navigated the complexities of spreading the Gospel in a world with established religious and social systems. Nave's Topical Index Acts 19:35And when the town cleark had appeased the people, he said, You men of Ephesus, what man is there that knows not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Nave's Topical Index Library From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ... The General Conference of 1820 From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ... English Congregational Creeds. The Life of the Honourable Archibald Campbel Marquis of Argyle. From 1787 to 1791 Inclusive The Seven Ecumenical Councils The Great Schism Acts i. 12 The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform Resources How many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Ziklag in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Dorcas / Tabitha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Town: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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