Message to Ephesus (2)

Earliest Beginnings

The Church of God at Ephesus likely began through the efforts of Paul and the husband-wife team of Aquila and Priscilla in A.D. 50. The Scriptures indicate that these three worked together in Corinth as tentmakers (Acts 18:1-3) while Paul also preached and taught in the local synagogue. After some time in Corinth, the three sailed to Ephesus. Upon arrival, Paul preached in the synagogue and then left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus while he returned to Jerusalem to observe one of God's Holy Days. Paul promised to return if God so willed (verses 18-21).

While Paul continued his travels to Jerusalem, then on to Galatia and Phrygia (verses 21 and 23), a zealous and gifted speaker named Apollos came to Ephesus. Though he had a good knowledge of the Scriptures, he understood only the baptism of John (verse 25). Priscilla and Aquila then took him aside and explained to him “the way of God more accurately” (verse 26). This combination of Apollos' speaking and Prisicilla and Aquila's instruction began to bear fruit.

When the apostle Paul returned to Ephesus, he found a number of disciples, including about a dozen men (Acts 19:1, 7). Paul then began an extensive ministry in Ephesus by baptizing these disciples and laying his hands on them for the receiving of the Holy Spirit (verses 5-6). From this exciting beginning, Paul spent three months teaching in the synagogue and then two years in “the school of Tyrannus.” This was one of the apostle Paul's longer stays and the results were impressive-“all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (verses 8-10). It also appears that Paul wrote the book of 1 Corinthians from Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8).

Noteworthy Events

During Paul's ministry in Ephesus several other noteworthy events took place. Here, it is recorded that “God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them” (verses 11-12). When seven sons of Sceva unsuccessfully tried to follow Paul's example of exorcising evil spirits, they ended up fleeing the house “naked and wounded” (verse 16). The result? “This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified” (verse 17).

In the wake of these events, many in Ephesus turned from their practice of magic and burned their books pertaining to that craft. It is recorded that the value of these books amounted to “fifty thousand pieces of silver” and “the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (verses 19-20).

The truth of God made such an impact in the area that local craftsmen who made replicas of shrines to Diana soon became fearful that this teaching would put them out of business (verses 23-41). After this “great commotion” (verse 23) died down, Paul left Ephesus for Macedonia (Acts 20:1). Paul's teaching in Ephesus had monumental success. It was also the most probable foundation for the establishment of other congregations in Asia Minor.

When Paul left the area, Timothy remained to care for the congregation at Ephesus. Paul's pressing advice for Timothy was to warn the brethren to beware of false doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 4:3). In a brief, final trip back through the region, Paul also met with the Ephesian elders, telling them, “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” (Acts 20:29-31).

To be contd.

God bless you all.