In the context of the Bible, rioters are individuals or groups who engage in disorderly, violent, or unruly behavior, often in opposition to authority or societal norms. The Bible addresses the concept of rioting and the behavior of rioters in various passages, highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of such actions.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides several instances where riotous behavior is condemned or depicted as contrary to God's will. In Proverbs, wisdom literature often contrasts the behavior of the righteous with that of the wicked, including those who engage in riotous living. Proverbs 23:20-21 warns, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." Here, riotous living is associated with excess and lack of self-control, leading to negative consequences.

New Testament References

The New Testament further elaborates on the theme of riotous behavior, particularly in the context of Christian conduct and community life. In the Acts of the Apostles, riotous crowds often oppose the early Christian missionaries. For example, in Acts 19:28-29 , a riot breaks out in Ephesus: "When they heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia."

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently admonishes believers to avoid riotous behavior and to live peaceably. In Galatians 5:19-21 , Paul lists "acts of the flesh," which include "drunkenness, orgies, and the like," warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This passage underscores the spiritual danger of riotous living and the importance of self-control and righteousness.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

From a biblical perspective, riotous behavior is often linked to a lack of self-discipline and a rejection of divine order. It is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature, which believers are called to overcome through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible encourages Christians to pursue peace, order, and godliness, as seen in 1 Peter 4:3-4 : "For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you."

Christian Conduct

The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize the importance of living a life that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God, which includes peace, love, and respect for others. Christians are called to be examples of good conduct, avoiding behaviors that lead to chaos and disorder. Romans 13:13 advises, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy."

In summary, the Bible presents rioters and riotous behavior as contrary to the principles of godly living. Believers are encouraged to live in a manner that honors God, promotes peace, and reflects the transformative power of the Gospel.

The Famine which Oppressed Them.
... 8. And even while they were eating thus they did not remain undiscovered. But
everywhere the rioters appeared, to rob them even of these portions of food. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi the famine which oppressed.htm

The Fight with Wild Beasts at Ephesus
... He had not been found, probably had not been sought for, by the rioters, whose rage
was too blind to search for him, but his brave soul could not bear to leave ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the fight with wild beasts.htm

The Honors that were Paid the Jews; and the Leagues that were Made ...
... not forbidden so to do even at Rome itself; for even Caius Caesar, our imperator
and consul, in that decree wherein he forbade the Bacchanal rioters to meet in ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 the honors that.htm

The Riot
... Let us away to the Baths of Caligula,' shouted one of the rioters; and the multitude,
with an answering shout, rushed off towards the valley of the torrent ...
/.../gathering clouds a tale of the days of st chrysostom/chapter ii the riot.htm

Prison Experiences for Conscience' Sake --Our Prison
... They show unmistakably the characteristics and sentiments of those rioters, and,
especially, hatred to the blacks drafted and about camp, and exhibit this in ...
/.../prison experiences for conscience sakeour.htm

The Old Faiths and the New
... First, there were the Jews who denied any and every claim of Christ to be the Messiah;
of this party were the rioters who drove Paul out of city after city and ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study viii the old faiths.htm

Back to Memphis
... number. His fellows were unjust public weighers, usurers, rioters, habitual
tax-evaders, broken debtors, forgers and housebreakers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiii back to memphis.htm

Days of Toil and Trial
... his beloved brethren. Forgetful of his own safety, he desired to go at once
to the theater to address the rioters. But "the disciples ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 28 days of toil.htm

The Temple of Serapis (Ad 391)
... The rioters, who had shut themselves up in the temple, used to rush out from it
now and then, killing some of the Christians who fell in their way, and ...
/.../chapter xvi the temple of.htm

The Agony, and the Consoler
... Men told each other in terrified whispers that either there had been spies of the
Government among the rioters, or that some were turning informers to save ...
/.../chapter iii the agony and.htm

Rioters (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rioters (1 Occurrence). Acts 21:32 who, at once,
having taken soldiers and centurions, ran down upon them ...
/r/rioters.htm - 6k

Riot (14 Occurrences)

/r/riot.htm - 12k

Ringleader (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Opprobriously, a leader of a body of men engaged in the violation of law
or in an illegal enterprise, as rioters, mutineers, or the like. Int. ...
/r/ringleader.htm - 7k

Rioting (1 Occurrence)

/r/rioting.htm - 6k

Rout (6 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A disturbance of the peace by persons assembled together with intent to
do a thing which, if executed, would make them rioters, and actually making a ...
/r/rout.htm - 9k

Designate (7 Occurrences)
... name; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description; to specify;
as, to designate the boundaries of a country; to designate the rioters who are ...
/d/designate.htm - 8k

Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... There was no clear idea among the rioters what they wanted: an anti-Jewish and an
anti-Christian demonstration were mixed up, and probably Alexander's ...
/a/alexander.htm - 32k

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... The charge against Paul is that of trying to replace Caesar by another king; the
rioters wish to bring him before "the people," ie the popular assembly ...
/t/thessalonica.htm - 25k

Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... clamored against him; but he had caused soldiers dressed as civilians to mingle
with the multitude, and at a given signal they fell upon the rioters and beat ...
/p/pontius.htm - 36k

Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... clamored against him; but he had caused soldiers dressed as civilians to mingle
with the multitude, and at a given signal they fell upon the rioters and beat ...
/p/pilate.htm - 53k

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