The apostle Paul's teachings in Ephesus, where he preached the gospel and converted many people, threatened the economy of the city, which was based on idolatry and paganism. The Christians' actions, such as burning their books and sorceries, and refusing to support ungodliness, were seen as a threat to the city's temple worship and its profit margin. The city's reaction, including a riot and the town clerk's speech, highlights the tension between Christianity and the pagan culture of the time.
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