Bible Studies

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© Josprel (Joseph Perrello)
[email protected]
Church History

The Persevering Church
by
Josprel

The city of Ephesus was evangelized by The Apostle Paul evangelized the city of Ephesus at the beginning of his third missionary tour (A.D. 55-58). Despite tremendous opposition from the devotees of the idol goddess, Diana, the Ephesian church developed into the strongest church in the Roman province of Asia Minor. From that city of over 300,000 people, the Gospel spread throughout the entire province (Acts 19:10).

Ephesus was well situated to act as the hub for the evangelization of what now is modern Turkey. Located on the west coast of the province, at the mouth of the Cayster River, it was Asia Minor's most important city. It boasted a fine harbor and was a bustling export center. The port was the terminus of the long Asiatic caravan route that carried goods from the oriental countries for trade with Greece and Egypt. Rome employed Ephesus as a gateway into the Orient. The city ". . . was at once the civil and ecclesiastical centre of that 'Asia' with which we have to do."(1) As the religious center of Asia Minor, Ephesus attracted many visiting pilgrims to the temple of Diana.

Ephesus was given over to the worshiped of the idol, Diana. The city's coinage bore her image with the words, "Diana Ephesia" - "Diana of the Ephesians" (Acts 19:28). She was portrayed as the mother of all creation and the nourisher of mankind. A large retinue of priests officiated in her worship and numerous priestesses served as temple prostitutes.(2) The cult of Diana was invented in Babylon by the city's first Queen - Semiramus, wife of Nimrod. Diana wore a replica of Babylon's turreted.(3) Her temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was the city's center-piece. It housed an image of Diana which, her worshipers claimed, had descended from heaven (Acts 19:35). Entirely overlaid with gold and supported by 126 columns, each sixty feet high (and each donated by a king), the mammoth structure was four times the size of the Parthenon at Athens. Its construction had taken over two hundred years to complete.

Paul remained at Ephesus for some three years (Acts 19:8-10; 21:31). And, the success of his ministry incurred the wrath of those with vested temple interests. The Holy Spirit's powerful anointing effectively challenged the pagan sects, especially the worship of Diana (Acts 19:13-27). Experiencing a decline in profits from the trade in religious charms, the artisan trade guilds associated with the temple instigated an uproar against Paul (Acts 19: 28-41). But the foundation for a strong church already had been laid. Leaving Timothy to provide stability to the believers, Paul departed for Macedonia (I Tim. 1:3-4).

The Ephesian church was the first of the seven churches of Asia Minor critiqued by Christ. Since its founding, it had labored faithfully for Him. Christ commended its discernment and intolerance of evil. He lauded its sharing of His hatred for the cult of the Niolaitanes - a group in the Early Church that promoted a compromise with paganism.4 Jesus repeatedly acclaimed the church's patient perseverance.

The Ephesian church was renowned within the Early Church for its patience. Ignatius, an Early Church father taught by the apostles and who suffered martyrdom at Rome, stated that he desired to be trained "in patience and long-suffering" by the Ephesian Christians.5

Though the Ephesian church was highly commended by Jesus, unlike the churches at Smyrna and Philadelphia, it was not faultless. He charged that it had left its first love. Though its candle still glowed in the candlestick, it was flickering (Rev. 2:5). Matthew Henry makes three outstanding observations regarding this point:

1. Men's first affections towards Christ, holiness and heaven "are usually lively and warm."
2. Without great care, these affections will abate and cool.
3. When Christ sees his people grow cold towards him, he is grieved. He will make them aware "that he does not take it well from them."6

The writings of Ignatius indicate that the Ephesian Christians of the Early Church heeded the warning of Christ to repent.7 The warning, however, is not intended for them alone. The Lord's critique of the Ephesian church applies to believers of every generation. We all must preserve or recapture our "first love" quality of love for Christ; the love that gives him priority in all things. Christ's promise to the Ephesian church applies to the American church also: "To him that overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." (Rev. 2:7)

1. "The Pulpit Commentary," Vol. 22, section on Revelation, P.95 fn. 2. "Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands," P.362, C.E. Pfeiffer; Moody Press. 3. "The Two Babylons," P.30, A. Hislop; Loizeaux Brothers. 4. "The New Bible Dictionary," J.D. Douglas; Eerdmans. 5. "The Pulpit Commentary," op cit, P.57. 6. "Matthew Henry's Commentary," vol. vi, P.1124. 7. "The Pulpit Commentary," op cit, P.58.

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