THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

The Church at Ephesus went through struggles such as the idol worship of the goddess Diana in Acts 19, and many other struggles that we will learn from.  We have an advantage over those in the first century Church, because we can look back at their mistakes and learn before we make the same ones.

THE BEGINNING
KJV Acts 18:19-21
 19.  And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
 20.  When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
 21.  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.

APOLLOS COMES TO EPHESUS
KJV Acts 18:24-28
24.  And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
 25.  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.
 26.  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.
 27.  And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
 28.  For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

THE BAPTISM OF JOHN IS CORRECTED
KJV Acts 19:1-9
1.  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
 2.  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
 3.  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
 4.  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
 5.  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
 6.  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
 7.  And all the men were about twelve.
 8.  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.
 9.  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.

PAUL TEACHES REPENTANCE, FAITH, AND WARNING
KJV Acts 20:16-38
 16.  For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
 17.  And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
 18.  And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
 19.  Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
 20.  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
 21.  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
 22.  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
 23.  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
 24.  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
 25.  And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
 26.  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
 27.  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
 28.  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
 29.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
 30.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
 31.  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
 32.  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
 33.  I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
 34.  Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
 35.  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
 36.  And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
 37.  And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
 38.  Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
A REMINDER TO BE THANKFUL OF CHRIST
KJV Ephesians 1:13-23
13.  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
 14.  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
 15.  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
 16.  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
 17.  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
 18.  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
 19.  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
 20.  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
 21.  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
 22.  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
 23.  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

A REMINDER OF THE BLESSINGS THEY HAVE IN THE NEW LAW
KJV Ephesians 2:11-20
 11.  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
 12.  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
 13.  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
 14.  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
 15.  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
 16.  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
 17.  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
 18.  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
 19.  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
 20.  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
PAUL BESEECHES THEM TO WALK WORTHY
KJV Ephesians 4:1-3
 1.  I Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
 2.  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
 3.  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

PUAL INSTRUCTS THEM TO NOT BE TOSSED TO AND FRO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE
KJV Ephesians 4:13-21
 13.  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
 14.  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
 15.  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
 16.  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
 17.  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
 18.  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
 19.  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
 20.  But ye have not so learned Christ;
 21.  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

PAUL INSTRUCTS THEM TO STAY AWAY FROM DARKNESS
KJV Ephesians 5:8-11
 8.  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
 9.  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
 10.  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
 11.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

PAUL INSTRUCTS TO PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF GOD
KJV Ephesians 6:11-17
 11.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
 12.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
 13.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
 14.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
 15.  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
 16.  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
 17.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

PAUL CORRECTS THEM FOR LEAVING THEIR FIRST LOVE
KJV Revelation 2:1-5
 1.  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
 2.  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
 3.  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
 4.  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
 5.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
 

Let us see what occurred at Ephesus and assure that we do not those things here.  Let us see what God wants from us in what Paul by inspiration taught the Ephesians.
 
 
 

Copyright 2000 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.