Founding and Growth of the Church in Ephesus
‘Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write…’ (Revelation 2:1).
The church of Ephesus received the first letter. Paul was the founder of the local church in Ephesus. Aquila, Priscilla and Apollos were all instrumental in growing the church of Ephesus. They were deeply involved together with Paul in evangelism and discipleship of the body of Christ in Ephesus.
‘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’ (Acts 18:18-21).
‘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’ (Acts 18:24-26).
The Word of God grew mightily in Ephesus and prevailed over the entire city. The foremost ministers Paul trained at Ephesus to continue in the ministry were not only eloquent but also mighty in the scriptures. They were instructed in the way of Christ thoroughly. They were fervent in the spirit. They were teachers thought by Paul for three years before they were commissioned, ordained to teach others. They were diligent and taught diligently the way of the Lord.
Paul and his team preached Christ and His cross without fear of death and did not manipulate the church for material gains.
Miracles and Opposition in Ephesus
‘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’ (Acts 19:8).
‘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’ (Acts 19:12).
Fear fell upon the city and Christ was magnified.
‘And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed’ (Acts 19:17-20).
Opposition to truth concerning Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God grew stiff.
‘And the same time there arose no small stir about that way’ (Acts 19:23).
‘…But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries’ (1 Corinthians 16:7-9).
A true minister empowered by God will always speak the truth with boldness no matter the consequences. Paul preached in Ephesus for two years and all that were in Asia heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only a handful rejected the gospel. However, to those who believed, many signs and wonders were wrought in their lives.
When we preach the gospel with boldness and true Spirit of God, people will repent. Miracles will take place. Occultism will be destroyed and God will prevail
Paul’s Final Admonition and Legacy
Before Paul left the Ephesus finally, he assembled the elders of the church and warned them sternly to take heed to themselves and the flocks, which the Holy Ghost made them overseer to feed. The church was dear to him and he knew that after his departure, many would rise with diverse teachings to tear down the church and the flock (see Acts 20:16-38). It was a wonderful thing for Paul to do.
The admonition of Paul is still very relevant today:
‘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’ (Acts 20:28).
Here are key things Paul counseled the elders of the church at the time (Ref: Acts 20:16-38):
- To demonstrate strong character as Paul did.
- Serve God with all humility of mind, with tears, temptations, troubles and persecution in and outside the church toward believers and unbelievers.
- How he kept nothing that was profitable for their use, lived exemplary life among them and taught them publicly from house to house with love and grace.
- How he ministered to the religious Jews, unbelievers, the Greeks, the wise and the unwise presenting nothing but the gospel and faith only through Christ.
- To feed the church they are overseeing by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God has purchased through the blood of His Son.
Today, Paul’s life and ministry is a model for church founders, general overseers, ministers and workers. His life, both public and private, was without blame. Every minister called by God must live a blameless life; a life of purity in order not to be a stumbling block to the flock of Christ. Paul revealed the secret of his success in ministry often.
Nothing ‘…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’ (Acts 20:24).
For that reason, there is no need for envy, fighting, and hatred, struggling for position and killing of one another. Paul exposed those he taught to God’s counsel and how to rely on God’s power alone. He never allowed them the opportunity to fight each other, create quarrel, division or covet silver and gold to satisfy themselves or anyone.
Another important thing Paul demonstrated in ministry is his ability to accept and remain a godfather to Timothy because Timothy was of the same faith with him, not because he was his relation, from the favored tribe or race.
‘…Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord’ (1Timothy 1:2).
Today, God is warning godfathers whose spiritual sons and daughters are their tribesmen and women only. Christ is warning ministers who encourage their spiritual sons, daughters through their lifestyles to steal, commit immorality, and practice witchcraft knowing their backslidden godfathers would protect them. Spiritual sons and daughters of backslidden godfathers who commit atrocities with reckless abandon must know that the Day of Judgment is coming. Timothy, the spiritual son of Paul, received the leadership mantle to pastor the church at Ephesus and Paul instructed him to charge other leaders to teach sound doctrine.