Letters to the 7 Churches of Revelation. Pt. 4 Apostolic Ministry in Ephesus

Psalm 98:2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

The Psalmist is declaring that Jehovah intends to bring His salvation to the Gentile peoples of the world in addition to the Jewish nation.  I think that this verse goes along well with what we know historically about Ephesus. 

Paul spent considerable time ministering in that city and he wrote one of the most sublime declarations of the Christian faith in his letter to the Ephesians.  However, we saw in the last post that  the last surviving Apostle John writing around 95 AD that this church had developed some serious problems.

I think it is helpful to go back to pick up some of the truths from the book of Ephesians to help us see the history of gospel impact upon this church. 

Economic prosperity

A combination of factors propelled Ephesus into a role as the chief city of the province Rome named Asia Minor.  Ephesus had the best deep-water harbor in the region at least until the build up of silt caused it to become gradually filled in.  The harbor was located near the Aegean Ocean giving the city direct access to the most important shipping lanes leading to the Mediterranean Sea.  This meant that trade would become a major industry in the area.

The city was also a terminal for several over land trade routes stretching from Asia Minor into Mesopotamia and Palestine allowing Ephesus to receive trade from a very substantial area. These geographical features contributed greatly to the commercial and political importance of Ephesus.

Ephesus was known as the largest emporium in all of Asia.  Its marketplaces (agoras) offered a wide variety of products, textiles and consumer goods.  A banking center formed to provide basic financial transaction support networks. The city benefited by imposing taxes or duties on the flow of goods through its borders. This created enough revenue flow to finance major public projects that  greatly enhanced their citizens’ lifestyle. 

Political powerhouse

The political importance of Ephesus should not be underestimated. Its population was recorded as reaching about three hundred thousand and Rome designated the city to be the center of Roman administration for the province.

The Romans classified Ephesus as a “free city”, meaning that Rome allowed Ephesus to have the right of self-government. Furthermore, the Romans made Ephesus a center where Roman governors would periodically arrive to administer judgement concerning important legal issues.   

1st Stage of the Gospel at Ephesus

The first stage of the gospel reaching the city evidently occurred when the Apostle Paul stopped briefly on his way to Jerusalem. He sought out the local Jewish synagogue and shared Christ with them through the scriptures.  Some Jews wanted Paul to remain and tell them more, but the Apostle was unable to stay due to time constraints.  He did, however, promise to return.

Acts 18:18-21 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 

And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 
When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

2nd Stage of the Gospel at Ephesus

After Paul’s departure, a Jew from Alexandria named Apollos, arrived in Ephesus.  He began to boldly preach in the synagogue, although it appears his knowledge of the gospel was somewhat limited.

A pair of believers named Aquila and Priscilla had attended services when Apollos was preaching.  Afterward, they took him aside privately and explained the gospel more thoroughly to him. We can see that this Christian couple must have been well grounded in the faith and obediently followed Christ’s command to make disciples of all men.  Apollos benefited from their maturity and his ministry was apparently strengthened.

Acts 18:24-26 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 

3rd Stage of the Gospel at Ephesus

The real explosion of Christianity occurred when Paul finally returned to the Jewish synagogue in Ephesus.  For three months, Paul preached the gospel of Christ to an audience that became increasingly polarized.

The Apostle passionately persuaded many of the Ephesians to become Christians and sharply rebuked those who rejected the gospel.  Finally, the Jewish leaders refused to allow Paul into the synagogue.  However, when we recall some of the unique features of Ephesus we can better understand what the Apostle did next.

Paul gathered those who believed the gospel and went to the public facility where philosophers and teachers were permitted to speak.  This particular venue was known as the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus, a place where the Apostle had full liberty to preach and teach.

Acts 19:8-12 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 
And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 
And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 
So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

What kind of church was the church at Ephesus?

It is natural that we might wonder what the church of Ephesus was really like and how it developed.  The name “Ephesus” means desirable and certainly some of the attributes of this church, as described by Jesus, have those characteristics that any congregation would admire and even aspire to.

It was an evangelistic, soul winning church.  The church was patient, not attempting to do too much too quickly.  It was a separated congregation, which was initially determined to live for Christ.  Their belief system was strictly orthodox and conservative, holding sound doctrine.  They were persistent and they did not give up when obstacles were encountered. 

There are at least 6 unique phrases used by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.  These phrases give us insight into the spiritual condition of the church.  The first 3 chapters are where Paul teaches doctrine and the last 3 chapters he teaches Christian duties. 

“Spiritual blessings in heavenly places”              Ephesians 1:3

“Accepted in the beloved”                                    Ephesians 1:6

“Riches of his grace”                                                Ephesians 1:7

“The earnest of our inheritance”                            Ephesians 1:14

“A habitation of God”                                              Ephesians 2:22

The only description of the armor of God            Ephesians 6:11-18

Although there is much more that could be added, I think there is enough material here to paint a very thorough picture of the Church of Ephesus.  We can conclude that this church was given a very solid foundation for spiritual growth and that the word of God made a huge impact upon the people.

Yet about 35-40 years after Paul wrote to the Ephesians, Christ was taking them to task for spiritual failures and leaving their first love. 

Points to Ponder....

• Ephesus had a booming economy and offered many amenities to its citizens.

• Paganism was firmly embedded in their culture.

• Religious conflict occurred after Paul preached the gospel.
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• Did the prosperity of Ephesus distract the Christians from their primary mission?

• Did the cultural attractions divert their attention from following Christ?

• The city is an archaeological site today and the light of this church was put out by Christ.

• We must be on guard against leaving our first love.

I hope that this extra bit of context about Ephesus serves as an encouragement to remain true to the Word of God and to avoid leaving our first love.  So many things that are truly unimportant seem to vie for our time and energy and this can lead us away from our relationship with Christ.  May we pray for Christ's church around the world to cling to our Glorious Savior and King.

Bob