1. Don R. Taaffe, Gospel preacher, Dunedin, Florida 11/15/2009
The churches of Christ in the New Testament 6 of 17 “church in Ephesus” Acts 18: : :1-10
Don R. Taaffe,
Gospel preacher,
Dunedin, Florida
11/15/2009

2. 18 After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow. 19 When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay longer, he declined; 21 but on taking leave of them, he said, "I will return to you, if God wills." Then he set sail from Ephesus. (NRSV)
Acts 18:18-21
Cenchreae = Chen-che-rea-i

3. 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.
(NRSV) Acts 18:22-28

4. Acts 15:36 – 20:38

5. 1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2 He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 Then he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They answered, "Into John's baptism." 4 Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied — 7 altogether there were about twelve of them. 8 He entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out boldly, and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 When some stubbornly refused to believe and spoke evil of the Way before the congregation, he left them, taking the disciples with him, and argued daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
(NRSV) Acts 19:1-10

6. churches of Christ in the New Testament – 17 Lessons
Origin of Lord’s church
The church in Antioch
The church in Colosse
The church in Corinth
The church in Crete
The church in Ephesus
The church in Galatia
The church in Jerusalem
The church in Laodicea
The church in Pergamum
The church in Philadelphia
The church in Philippi
The church in Rome
The church in Sardis
The church in Smyrna
The church in Thessalonica
The church in Thyatira
The church in Dunedin?

7. General information about the city
Ephesus is situated in Asia Minor; wealthy,
magnificent city, meeting place of the Oriental religions, and the Greek culture.
Famous Temple of Diana was here, worshiped by all Asia Minor. Temple is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
On Cayster River near Mediterranean Sea. 100 miles east of Colossae.

8. General information about the city
“Worship” in the Temple included organs tic feasts were Temple prostitutes “performed religious sex” (McMurray, pages )
At this time Ephesus was a Gentile city ruled by Rome.
It was a “free city” and could therefore ply its own trade and religion.
Nearly everything in Ephesus centered around the Temple of Diana.

9. The beginning of the Ephesian church
Paul’s first visit found Ephesians, interested and willing to learn. (Acts 18:19-20)
This was Paul’s second missionary journey.
Promised he would return, and left Priscilla and Aquila behind to build a church. (Acts 18:19).
Apollos an elegant preacher was taught the way of the Lord more perfectly by Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:24-28)

10. The beginning of the Ephesian church
Paul’s returns (Acts19:1).
Find disciples who had been baptized with John’s baptism (Acts 19:1-3, 5; 10:47)
John’s baptism, conditioned on repentance alone. Baptism commanded by Christ, conditioned on both faith in Christ, and repentance from sin (Acts 19:4)
As a result of this teaching 12 disciples were baptized in the name of Christ
(Acts 19:5)

11. Paul’s message that built the church
Preached things concerning the kingdom of God – Acts 19:8
Preached the word of the Lord – Acts 19:20, 22
Against images, and idolatry – Acts 19:26
Divided The disciples to a separate group starting the congregation -- Acts 19:9
Taught publicly and from house to house – Acts 20:20 (things profitable)
Acts 19:9
9 When some stubbornly refused to believe and spoke
evil of the Way before the congregation, he left them,
taking the disciples with him, and argued daily in the
lecture hall of Tyrannus. (NRSV)
Acts 20:20
20 I did not shrink from doing anything helpful,
proclaiming the message to you and teaching you
publicly and from house to house, (NRSV)
Acts 19:20, 22
20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
22 So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus,
to Macedonia, while he himself stayed for some time
longer in Asia. (NRSV)
Acts 19:26
26 You also see and hear that not only in Ephesus but
in almost the whole of Asia this Paul has persuaded
and drawn away a considerable number of people by
saying that gods made with hands are not gods. (NRSV)
Acts 19:8
8 He entered the synagogue and for three months
spoke out boldly, and argued persuasively about the
kingdom of God. (NRSV)

12. Paul’s message that built the church
Acts 20:24-25
24 But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if
only I may finish my course and the ministry that I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good
news (Gospel drt) of God's grace. 25 "And now I know
that none of you, among whom I have gone about
proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my face again.
(NRSV)
Gospel of the grace of God – Acts 20: 24-25
Preached the whole counsel of God – Acts 20:27
Commended them to God and the word of his grace – Acts 20:32
Paul wrote two epistles to this church –unlike other epistles written to other churches, he does not deal with specific problems and a local congregation.
Acts 20:32
32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to
the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and
give you an inheritance among all those who are
sanctified. (NKJV)
Acts 20:27
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole
counsel of God. (NKJV)

13. The results of Paul’s preaching
Acts 19:18-20
18 And many who had believed came confessing and
telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had
practiced magic brought their books together and
burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the
value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of
silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and
prevailed. (NKJV)
Ephesians 1:13
13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in
him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy
Spirit; (NRSV)
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and
this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — 9 not
the result of works, so that no one may boast. (NRSV)
Heard the word of truth, trusted and believed – Ephesians 1:13.
They believed and burned their books of Magic and witchcraft – Acts 19:18-20
They were saved by the grace of God through their faith (belief) – Ephesians 2:8-9.
Baptized in the name of Jesus or by the authority of Jesus – Acts 19: 4-5
Acts 19:4-5
4 Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of
repentance, telling the people to believe in the one
who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On
hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. (NRSV)

14. Every church can grows by missionary work
Paul sent out by church – Acts 13:3
We must be sent – Romans 10:15 – Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas.
Other churches corporative in supporting this work – Philippians 1:3-5 (Phil. 4:14-16)
Before a New Testament church can be established. In any place, workers must be found who will preach the Gospel.
Acts 13:3
3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands
on them and sent them off. (NRSV)
Romans 10:15
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As
it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who
preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of
good things!" (NKJV)
Philippians 1:3-5
3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4
constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers
for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel
from the first day until now. (NRSV)

15. WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH Ephesians 4:11-12
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS
2 Timothy 1:13
WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH Ephesians 4:11-12
Ephesians 4:11-12
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some
prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and
teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the
work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
(NKJV)
2 Timothy 1:13
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you
have heard from me, in faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
1 Thessalonians 1:8
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth,
not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every
place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we
do not need to say anything. (NKJV)
1 Timothy 5:16
16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them
relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened,
that it may relieve those who are really widows. (NKJV)
Acts 20:28
28 "And now beware! Be sure that you feed and shepherd
God's flock-his church, purchased with his blood-for the Holy
Spirit is holding you responsible as overseers. (TLB)
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock,
among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to
shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own
blood. (NKJV)
God’s pattern for the work of the local church
Caring for needy saints - 1 Timothy 5:16
Evangelism - 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Edification - Acts 20:28; (1 Corinthians 14:26;
Eph. 4:11-12) If no order, then no disorder (1
Cor. 14:40)
A teaching church – they were particularly adapt at seeing the opportunities that presented itself as an capitalizing on it. mattered not whether it was on the street corner, by the Riverside, in a synagogue, or in a private home, they were continually proclaiming the word of the Lord. Today, we preach first principles to an audience of 98% Christians and leaned back with a sigh of contentment and say we have preached the gospel. These early preachers and teachers would be appalled at the lack of boldness and depth in our present day teaching programs. There was a day in which we believed in preaching the gospel by radio, but today not many congregations are continuing their programs. Yet today radio audiences are larger than ever before. We need to flood the airwaves with the gospel. Newspaper advertising can be very expensive but we need to go after the free ads and art and write articles for the paper that are free. Television programs are very expensive so congregations have formed unscriptural arrangements to meet these cost, but we must remember that and never justifies the means. You cannot do evil that good may come. The teaching program of the church in Antioch is an indictment against our generation. The church that has an aggressive teaching program is a church that grows. 18

16. Care for the needy Saints
Paul encourage the elders to “support the weak” – Acts 20:35 (NRSV)
“I have showed you all things” – Acts 20:35 (KJV)
Paul had taught them by instruction and example.
“All things” illustrating the design, nature, and duties of caring for the weak saints.
Acts 20:35
35 In all this I have given you an example that by such
work we must support the weak, remembering the
words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, 'It is more
blessed to give than to receive.' " (NRSV)
Acts 20:35
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring
ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed
to give than to receive. (KJV)

17. Care for the needy Saints
Acts 20:35
35 In all this I have given you an example that by such
work we must support the weak, remembering the
words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, 'It is more
blessed to give than to receive.' " (NRSV)
Matthew 25:34-36
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you
that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and
you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked
and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I
was in prison and you visited me.' (NRSV)
Paul addressed the elders reminding them of the words of our order and Savior Jesus Christ “it is more blessed to give than to receive” – Acts 20:35
In helping in this way, the weak are blessed with happiness.
And those of you that give from a pure motive God will bless – Matthew 25:34-36.

18. Evangelism and Edification
Acts 19:10
10 This continued for two years, so that all the
residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the
word of the Lord. (NRSV)
Attention was given in Ephesus edification and evangelism – Acts 19: 10; (1 Timothy 2:6)
Paul have the ability to go where he could find people to teach – Acts 13:16; (16:13; 17:17)
we cannot forget or neglect the edification of the new converts, they must be grounded in the faith.
Acts 13:16
16 So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
"You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen.
(NRSV)

19. Evangelism and Edification
Paul words to the Ephesians must not be lost on us today – Acts 20:28-30
If we intend that our work here be given to abide and prosper, consideration will have to be given to both evangelism and edification.
A church like Ephesus is not likely to come into existence by chance.
Acts 20:28-30
28 Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock,
of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to
shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the
blood of his own Son I know that after I have gone,
savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the
flock. 30 Some even from your own group will come
distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to
follow them. (NRSV)
It must be by planning, sacrifice, and persistence are needed, and then on the part men who are themselves grounded in the faith and have a love for the souls of others.

20. Evangelism and Edification
Acts 20:20
20 I did not shrink from doing anything helpful,
proclaiming the message to you and teaching you
publicly and from house to house, (NRSV)
Rev 2:2, 6
2 "I know your works, your toil and your patient
endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers;
you have tested those who claim to be apostles but
are not, and have found them to be false. 6 Yet this is
to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans,
which I also hate. (NRSV)
Ephesians 1:15
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your
love toward all the saints, and for this reason (NRSV)
Ephesus was a church of strong convictions as to the truth of the Gospel – Ephesians 1:15 (Acts 19:8)
Tried and proved false teachers – Revelation 2:2, 6
Diligent in the teaching and in studying the truth – Acts 20:20 ( Acts 19:9-10)
Not blind following the blind – Luke 6:39 (Revelation 2:2)
Luke 6:39
39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person
guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?
(NRSV)
It must be by planning, sacrifice, and persistence are needed, and then on the part men who are themselves grounded in the faith and have a love for the souls of others.

21. The Ephesians letter Ephesians 2:15-16
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is,
the law of commandments contained in ordinances,
so as to create in Himself one new man from the two,
thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile
them both to God in one body through the cross,
thereby putting to death the enmity. (NKJV)
Chapters 1-3 cover the doctrinal will portion of the letter
Chapters 4-6 cover the practical applications of the doctrine learned.
Paul do not desire a “Gentile church” Or a “Jewish church.” He only wanted the one church God had revealed – Ephesians 2:15-16; 4;4; 1:22-23
Ephesians 4:4
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were
called in one hope of your calling; (NKJV)
Ephesians 1:22-23
22 And he has put all things under his feet and has
made him the head over all things for the church, 23
which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in
all. (NRSV)

22. The Second Epistle to Ephesus
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of
angels, but have not love, I have become sounding
brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the
gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all
knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and
though I give my body to be burned, but have not love,
it profits me nothing. (NKJV)
“But, this I have against thee” – Revelation 2:4 – Their faults.
“Thou has left thy first love” – Revelation 2:4
First love, leads one to ask, not, “How much must I do?” but, “How much can I do?”
Note: Ephesians church with its “work – labor – patience” -- Revelation 2:2 compared to church of Thessalonica “work of faith – labor of love – patience of hope”– 1 Thessalonica 1:3
The indispensability of love as a motive – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

23. Conclusion: Revelation 2:5 Revelation 1:20
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,
and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out
of his place, except thou repent. (KJV)
Revelation 1:20
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in
my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The
seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and
the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the
seven churches. (KJV)
A fatal error, unless corrected – Revelation 2:5
The candlestick represents the identity of this congregation as a church of Christ.
To remove the candlestick meant to lose their identity – Revelation1:20.
One can, therefore be outwardly faithful in the performance of his duty and yet lose the spirit of acceptable service, in his heart.

24. The Church is Important!
Conclusion:
Body of Christ
(Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18)
Ephesians 3:10-11
10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its
rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and
authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in
accordance with the eternal purpose that he has
carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, (NRSV)
CHURCH
Ephesians
3:10-11
The Church is Important!
Wisdom of God
God’s Eternal Purpose 3

25. Fullness of Christ, Eph. 1:22-23
Conclusion:
The Body
of Christ
Ephesians 1:22-23
22 And he has put all things under his feet and has
made him the head over all things for the church, 23
which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
(NRSV)
Fullness of Christ, Eph. 1:22-23
1. All blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3)
-Baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27)
-Baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13)
 If not in body (church) – Just Not blessed! 28

26. church of Christ Conclusion: Heaven Eph. 1:7 Heb. 10:23 Ephesians 1:7
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches
of his grace (NRSV)
Hebrews 10:23
23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope
without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
(NRSV)
church of Christ
(Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25)
Purchased! 29

27. The ones that help with study material for this lesson
The New Testament church – by Roy E. Cogdill, 29 printing
Churches of the New Testament – Fort Worth Lectures 1963
P.C. Study Bible V4
Sermons – by Terry F. Sanders, Mark A. Copeland, Joe R. Price, Steve Wallace, and others