366. THE THIRD PREACHING CAMPAIGN: PAUL AT EPHESUS
€ I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God €
Paul left Athens and travelled to Corinth, where for eighteen months he preached with good results, despite opposition from the Jews. Eventually he returned by ship to Jerusalem to keep a Jewish feast. On the return journey, Paul visited Ephesus where he went to the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. He found the response favourable, and when the Jews desired him to stay he replied, € I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem; but I will return again unto you, if God will € (Acts 18:21). After landing at Caesarea, he went up to the ecclesia at Jerusalem and gave a report of his preaching. Then he returned to Antioch from where he had set out on his second missionary journey some three years before (Acts 15:40).
The aim of this lesson is two-fold:-
- To show how a faithful stand triumphs over obstacles
- To see how Paul conducted his personal life to assist with the gospel € s promotion.
Acts 19 and 20
RETURN TO EPHESUS
After spending some time at Antioch, Paul decided to undertake a third journey to revisit the areas in which he had previously laboured. Leaving Antioch, he went over the country of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples, and then eventually came to Ephesus (Acts 19:1).
Ephesus was the greatest city of Asia Minor, being the capital city of the Roman province of Asia. It was renowned for the worship of Diana and the practice of magic. The Temple of Diana was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was reported to be 130 meters long and 70 metres wide, with 127 columns 18 metres high gracing its front, sides and back. Probably no building in the ancient world was so admired.
The image of the goddess Diana was supposed to have fallen down from heaven, and mysterious symbols inscribed on the idol were used as a charm to heal. The study of these symbols was an elaborate science and many books were compiled about it.
PAUL PREACHES THE TRUTH IN EPHESUS (Acts 19:1-9).
The apostle met certain disciples who had been baptised by John the Baptist, with the baptism of repentance. John had told his disciples that they should believe on € him which should come after him € , that is Jesus Christ (v.4). When it was explained that Christ had come and that salvation was offered by baptism into him they were baptised in the name of Christ, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of Paul € s hands. Paul then returned to the synagogue at Ephesus as he had promis ed (18:21). For three months he boldly preached and persuaded a number of the synagogue "the things concerning the Kingdom of God". In evitably this aroused opposition; some were bitterly opposed and Paul found it necessary to separate from them. An ecclesia at Ephesus was thus formed and they met in the schoolroom of one, Tyrannus.
THE TRUTH RADIATES FROM EPHESUS (Acts 19:10).
For two years the ecclesia used the schoolroom and from this centre Paul proclaimed and established the Truth in Ephesus; he also taught from house to house (20:20). Seeing Ephesus was the capital and the cen tre of commerce and worship, Paul had ready access to a large number of people. Besides his own witness, those whom he converted became in turn witnesses, and so the gospel spread into regions which Paul did not visit in person. Thus Luke could say, "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks" (19:10).
SPECIAL MIRACLES PERFORMED BY PAUL (Acts 19:11-13).
As God had endorsed Peter's preaching with special miracles (5:15), so He did with Paul. Handkerchiefs (sweat cloths) and aprons were taken from Paul's body to those who were ill and they recovered. The amazing cures effected through Paul refuted the charms and other incantations us ed by false healers. There were then in the city certain Jewish exorcists who wandered from place to place (vagabonds) preying on the supersti tion of the people. These men apparently concluded that the name of Jesus acted as a charm and attempted Paul's method of healing; "We ad jure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth" was the magical formula they used (19:13). One specific incident recorded by Luke, brought shame on the exorcists and became a triumph for the Truth.
THE GOSPEL TRIUMPHS OVER SUPERSTITION (Acts 19:14-20).
Among the exorcists were seven brothers, sons of Sceva. They used the name of Jesus in an endeavour to cure a maniac, but to their amazement the man answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?" (v. 15). In a fit of rage he leaped on the brothers and with violence tore off their clothes and beat them, and they fled from the house naked and wounded.
The incident became known to all and the gospel gained new respect. Paul's preaching was vindicated, his authority acknowledged and "the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified" (v.17). A certain fear fell upon believers and they willingly renounced any attachments they may still have had with magic and superstition. And even among unbelievers there was a profound effect; those who practised "curious arts" openly re nounced their practice and brought their books of magic and burnt them publicly. Book after book was thrown on to the bonfire, their value being assessed to be 50,000 pieces of silver (over 150,000,000/= today).
This scene must have been long remembered in Ephesus. It was a strik ing victory over the powers of darkness: "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" (v.20).
OPPOSITION FROM THE SILVERSMITHS (Acts 19:21-27).
Seeing the gospel seed had taken root in Ephesus, Paul planned to pass through Macedonia and Achaia, en route to Jerusalem and Rome. So he sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia to prepare the way, while he remained in Ephesus. Paul's intention was to stay there until Pentecost (1 Cor. 16:8), which would include the month of May. May was called the "Artemisian" by the Ephesians, for during this month the city celebrated national games and worshipped the godden Artemis, or Diana. Silversmiths who made the portable images of Diana expected brisk trade, but this year was different. Paul's miracles, the public burning of the books of magic, and the extensive preaching of the gospel, directly challenged the worship of the goddess. Profit from the sale of the images slumped, and "there arose no small stir about that way" (v.23). One of the silversmiths, Demetrius, organised a meeting of all those affected. His speech to the gathering clearly reveals the effect of Paul's preaching.
"Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth" (vv.25-27).
A RIOT IN EPHESUS (Acts 19:28-34).
The true motive of Demetrius was greed and covetousness, but this had been thinly sanctified by a professed reverence for Diana. His words had the effect desired; the infuriated workmen clamoured for the honour of their goddess € "Great is Diana of the Ephesians".
Their chanting was heard by others and soon a great crowd gathered. The whole city was thrown into confusion, and they "rushed with one ac cord into the theatre". They laid hands on two of Paul's travelling com panions, Gaius and Aristarchus. Their lives were in danger, and Paul purposed to intervene. But the disciples and certain rulers called Asiarchs, Paul's friends, seeing the danger, restrained him.
Meanwhile the angry mob crowded into the theatre rending the air with their confused hysterical cries but "the more part knew not wherefore they were come together" (v.32). The Jews of the city were concerned that they would be implicated, and anxious to clear themselves, they put forward one Alexander. Hearing that he was a Jew and knowing their opposition to idolatry, the crowd was whipped up to a new height of frenzy, and cried for two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (v.34)!
THE TOWN CLERK APPEASES THE PEOPLE (Acts 19:35-41).
At length the Town Clerk, a man of skill and tact, was able to quieten the crowd. He reminded them that everyone knew that the city of Ephesus was the temple guardian of the great Diana, and of her image which fell from heaven. The contradiction of a few strangers could not affect "the facts", and therefore they should not have acted rashly. He said that Paul and his companions had not been guilty of profaning the Temple or of blaspheming Diana, but if any had a charge to lodge, then the courts were there to hear it. Finally he reminded them that they had acted unlawfully and might themselves face charges from their Roman overlords. His words had the desired effect: quietly they disbanded and went their ways.
PAUL LEAVES EPHESUS (Acts 20:1-15).
The riot at Ephesus signalled the end of Paul's work in the city. He had . been with the ecclesia for three years and during that time the Truth had made great progress, not only in Ephesus but in all Asia. But there was work to be done elsewhere, and so, calling the ecclesia together, in an af fectionate meeting he bade them farewell and departed for Macedonia. There he strengthened the brethren and then moved on to Achaia, where he abode for three months. Paul intended to sail direct from Achaia to Syria, but learnt of a plot amongst the Jews to take him, so he retraced his steps through Macedonia and sailed from Philippi. After stopping at Troas and meeting the disciples, he continued on foot to Assos where he boarded the ship.
PAUL'S CHARGE TO THE ELDERS OF EPHESUS (Acts 20:16-38).
Paul no doubt would have desired to visit the ecclesia at Ephesus, but as he was anxious to be back in Jerusalem for Pentecost, this was not possible (v.16). However, when the boat arrived at Miletus, he sent a messenger to Ephesus to call the elders to him that he might give them some parting words of exhortation.
On their arrival he reviewed his labours at Ephesus. He pointed to his example of dedication and self-sacrifice. He had taught "publicly and from house to house". He told them of the responsibilities that rested on their shoulders, for they would see his face no more (as he thought). He warned the elders that "of their own selves shall men arise. . .to draw away disciples after them" (v.30), and therefore they must watch over the flock. In a final moving appeal he said, "Ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me" (v.34). What a wonderful example of dedication he had set.
Commending the brethren to the grace of God, Paul kneeled down and prayed with them all. The elders who had benefited so much from the apostle's ministrations "wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him"; they sorrowed most at his statement "that they should see his face no more" (vv.37-38).
Solemnly they accompanied him to the ship and bade farewell to the brother they loved so much.
LESSONS FOR US:
- After spending but two years in Ephesus, Paul's efforts brought the Truth before the notice of all in Asia. The power of the Truth over the superstition of men was evident to all.
- So great was the effect of Paul's preaching that the local silversmiths felt the loss in trade. Their world was no different from ours where men's lust for wealth over-rides what is good and true.
- Paul's love for the brethren was such that he called for the elders of the Ephesian ecclesia, so that he could give them final words of exhortation.
- Paul's zeal, his witness before all men, his unselfishness in providing for himself and others, gives us an example to follow.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"Paul the Apostle" (W. H. Boulton) € Chapter 14
"Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield) € Vol. 13, Pages 187-190; Vol. 14, Pages 5-28
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
- Briefly outline the way in which the ecclesia at Ephesus came into be ing.
- Describe the effect of Paul's preaching from the schoolroom of Tyrannus.
- How did the Gospel triumph over superstition in Ephesus?
- What lessons can we take from Paul's work at Ephesus?
- What did Paul say to the elders of the Ephesian Ecclesia, when he met them at Miletus?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
- Describe the ways in which the Truth became established in Ephesus.
- What events led up to the riot in Ephesus, and what was the outcome?
- From Paul's example at Ephesus, show how he disciplined his life so that the gospel could be spread effectively.