The Church in Ephesus

The Church in Ephesus

The history of Christianity at Ephesus began about A.D. 50. The gospel was introduced to that city by Paul’s close friends and partners in ministry, Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:18-21). They were joined by the eloquent preacher and debater Apollos (Acts 18:24-26). Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos laid the groundwork for Paul’s ministry in Ephesus.

Paul came to Ephesus in about A.D. 52, establishing a resident ministry that would last for three years (Acts 20:31). During his Ephesian ministry, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:8). Influence from his ministry undoubtedly resulted in the founding of the churches in the Lycus River valley at Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossae. During his stay in Ephesus, Paul encountered both great opportunities and great dangers (Acts 19:1-5; 11-20). Paul’s protégé Timothy served as pastor of the church at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3).

According to the testimony of the early church, the apostle John spent the last decades of his life at Ephesus, from which he likely wrote his three epistles in which he calls himself “the elder” (2 John 1; 3 John 1).John was leading the Ephesian church when he was arrested and exiled to Patmos.

In the sixth century A.D. the Roman emperor Justinian (A.D. 527-565) raised a magnificent church to John’s memory in this city.

In A.D. 431 the council of Ephesus officially condemned the Nestorian heresy, which taught that there were two separate persons, one divine and one human, in the person of Jesus Christ.

Acts 18:18-19 - So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.

Acts 18:24-26 - Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.  So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Acts 20:31 - Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

1 Corinthians 16:8 -  But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

Acts 19:1-5 / 11-20 - And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”

So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:3 - As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine.

2 John 1 / 3 John 1 - The Elder.

©2012 Kenute P. Curry. All rights reserved.