Ephesus

by J.D. Terrell, Carlisle, U.K. | Category: The New Testament Churches Of God (Their History, Order And | Jun 1982

We have already observed in this series of articles on New Testament churches how each local church, according to its circumstances, received such oral and written ministry from God's servants as the Holy Spirit ordained. Certainly Ephesus had an experience which is full of both interest and instruction, and which embraces certain special features among the New Testament churches. For several, we have something of their history in the Acts, followed by apostolic letters of encouragement, teaching and correction. In the case of Ephesus, there are two further aspects of the church's experience over the years which make its story unique in the New Testament. These are the remarkable meeting of the elders of the church and the apostle Paul as recorded in Acts 20 and the message of the Spirit through the "angel of the church" in Rev. 2. No other church of God which figures in a major way in the New Testament has records of comparable elements in its spiritual history. We shall look then at these four insights into the life and testimony of this golden lampstand for God.

Establishment of the Church

One of the first important matters concerning the work of the Lord in Ephesus is the prominence given to the working of the Holy Spirit. This is surely something central to any effective activity in Christ's Name. The narrative of Acts 16, 18 and 19 is deeply instructive on this point. We can readily visualize the troubled journey of Paul and his fellow-workers "through the region of Phrygia and Galatia" (16:6). Why was the restraining power of the divine Spirit so clearly revealed with regard to Asia? There lay that busy, bustling Roman province, at one of the strategic crossroads of the world, with its cosmopolitan capital in Ephesus, simply asking, they must have thought, for their attention with the gospel. Not so-or, at least, not yet. Macedonia and the other Greek centres were first in God's order of priority. It is almost as though Ephesus was being encircled by the gospel and by new churches, awaiting God's chosen moment for the confrontation of that central citadel of Satan with the message of Christ. We shall note further emphases in due course on the work of the Holy Spirit in regard to Ephesus. But let us just observe the apostle's almost tentative foray into Ephesus in the company of Priscilla and Aquila (18:19-21). Ever sensitive to the will of God, Paul stayed but a very short time and then returned to Antioch. But Ephesus was God's main target for the third missionary journey of His servant. So while Apollos, with wise spiritual help from Priscilla and Aquila, powerfully presented Christ to the Ephesian Jews, Paul toured "the region of Galatia and Phrygia ... establishing all the disciples" (18:23). What contribution did these three godly disciples make to the sowing and planting in Ephesus?

It is Acts 19 which records the main labours of Paul in Ephesus, and really must be read and reflected upon at this point. The moment had come for this stronghold of Satan, with all its darkness and lust, to receive in power the good news of light and love. And so, "Paul ... came to Ephestis" (19:1), words full of high destiny, like those of Acts 28:14, "and so we came to Rome". Three faithful months in the synagogue and then two action packed years in the school of Tyrannus proved halcyon days for the progress of the Word of God in Asia. Of those times stirring words are recorded in Acts 19, words which reflect the power of the Spirit through Paul's ministry: "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks" (v. 10); "and the Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified" (v. 17). "So mightily grew the' word of the Lord and prevailed" (v.20). Here at the dark heart 'of the international Satanic cult of the fertility goddess (for Artemis was acknowledged and revered in many lands) the servant of Christ raises a lampstand of divine testimony. The mass hysteria of evil evoked the protracted chant of devotion, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians". But many precious human hearts were being prepared by the Spirit of God for the enthronement of the Son of God from heaven. One and another were being shepherded into "the Way" (v.23).

The Epistle to the Ephesians.

It seems appropriate at this point to consider the subsequent letter of Paul to these dear Christian converts in Ephesus. For the central glorious message of that epistle stands so closely related to the conditions and circumstances of the place. It may be, as some have suggested, that this epistle was intended at the time of its writing for the perusal of more churches than that in Ephesus. It is true that there is less in the way of direct personal references than in some of the epistles which are evidently directed to a particular assembly. But the central majestic theme of the Church which is the Body of Christ draws one's thoughts back to Ephesus in an array of splendid contrast. Into the polluted city of Artemis (Diana)

- "whom all Asia and the world worshippeth" - is poured a sublime presentation of the universal purpose of God for a Bride for the Lamb without "spot or wrinkle or any such thing" (Eph. 5:27). "Such things" abounded in Ephesus. Institutionalized immorality, ritual obscenity, temple prostitution, all stained the life and times of this capital city of Roman Asia. But "Christ ... loved the church, and gave Himself up for it". Then also, in brilliant contrast, Paul refers to "a holy temple in the Lord" (not to be confused with the Church which is the Body of Christ). This temple would include sin-weary Ephesians who acknowledged the Lordship of Christ. None could appreciate better than Ephesians the splendour of the concepts of the Church and the Temple. They stood with their backs to the fine architecture of the shrine of Artemis, with all its scarcely concealed corruption and with their faces towards a "habitation of God in the Spirit" with its service of a holy priesthood.

We cannot stay to explore further the spiritual gold-mine which is the epistle to the Ephesians. Only let us note the solemn cautionary message of chapter 6 about the world rulers of this darkness ... the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places, and the necessary whole armour of God. These powers of evil had their strong instruments in Ephesus, to which Paul's words in 2 Cor. 1:8 may be related.

A Shepherd's Fears

The church was well planted. The sheep of the flock looked up for spiritual nourishment. The elders cared and ruled. And "grievous wolves" prowled. Paul's deeply emotive homily to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:18-35) strikes notes of passionate caring and profound anxiety. Again it seems clear that the Lord the Spirit directed the setting of this meeting, more impressive, perhaps, to the elders than if the apostle had visited the city again. The utter devotedness of Paul's earlier service among them and his uncompromising faithfulness to the "whole counsel of God" shine through. Three years of spiritual yearning with tears are recalled; three years of self-denying sacrifice on the altar of their faith. Beware, he pleads, beware of men from among your own selves speaking perverse things. Acute spiritual perception of danger guided the beloved apostle. His commendation can and must be only "to God, and to the word of His grace". The final three verses of Acts 20 depict one of the most moving scenes in the recorded life and work of Paul: a kneeling, burdened servant of the Lord amid tears of farewell till Jesus comes. Tenderly we observe and ponder. Let elders take special note, elders made such by the Holy Spirit Himself (v.28).

A Final Glimpse

Ephesus was perhaps the leading and most prominent of the seven churches in Asia to whom the Holy Spirit sent His searching messages. At all events its word from the Lord of the lampstands comes first in Rev. 2. The elders of Acts 20 and their successors had learned well from Paul not to tolerate evil men, and to identify false apostles; to reject the works of the Nicolaitans. They were diligent, patient, faithful, tireless in spiritual labours

- a model church. Or so a purely human observer might have concluded. But with undisguised directness the Holy Spirit spotlights the fatal failing of the apparently successful assembly. "But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love". The theme of love had never been far away in the precious words of Paul's letter. To Ephesus had been given the vision of the love-union of Christ and the Church. "Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us" (5:2). "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself up for it" (5:25). A beautiful spontaneous response of love had inspired the service of the early church in Ephesus. But the spring had dried up. No substitute motivation, however, was acceptable to the Lord, no second place in their affections.

The arresting challenge of this faithful rebuke reaches us today with all the sharpness of the living, active, two-edged sword of the Word. A reward is offered for overcoming, and a penalty foreshadowed for continuing failure. A lasting unbroken fellowship answering to Eden long ago, or an extinguished testimony, the Lord's presence withdrawn. The last word to Ephesus is a most solemn call to repentance and renewal of personal and corporate love to Christ. We tremble to lay our own selves and service alongside this standard. God grant us the grace to take earnest heed in the churches of God today to such a searching demand from the risen Lord of the precious lampstands.

Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult

Of our life's wild, restless sea,

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,

Saying, "Christian, follow Me."

Jesus calls us from the worship

Of the vain world's golden store;

From each idol that would keep us,

Saying, "Christian, love Me more."

In our joys and in our sorrows,

Days of toil and hours of ease,

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,

"Christian, love Me more than these."