Ephesians: Introduction (1)
Pray Psalm 48.1-3.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God,
In His holy mountain.
Beautiful in elevation,
The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.
Sing Psalm 48.1-3
(Cwm Rhondda: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
Great is God, now greatly praise Him in the city of the LORD!
Holy she, His lovely mountain, great and glorious by His Word!
God her King is great within her, He, her Stronghold ever sure!
He, her Stronghold ever sure!
Read and meditate on Acts 18.18-21, 24-28.
Preparation
1. Who were the people most involved in starting the church in Ephesus?
2. Why could Paul not stay longer there?
Meditation
In 431 AD, the emperor Theodosius II called the bishops of churches throughout the empire to come to Ephesus. Two purposes were in his mind: First, to reconfirm the orthodox teachings of the Christian faith and, second, to condemn certain incipient heresies. The Council of Ephesus succeeded in both. The Church throughout the Roman world would know that whatever decision came from Ephesus was undoubtedly correct.
But this great church had rather slight beginnings. A brief mission in passing by the apostle Paul. One reliable couple left to carry on the work he had begun. And a faithful, fervent, eloquent, but only partially knowledgeable itinerating preacher. A seed sown here, a seed sown there, and two faithful people trying to hold it all together. Slight beginnings.
Ephesus provides an excellent example of how the work of God proceeds. Start small, like a mustard seed. Root well. Grow slowly but steadily. Bear fruit in the Lord’s time. But that planting must be faithfully tended by shepherds devoted to Jesus. And over the 30 years or so between Paul’s epistle and John’s letter to the churches there in Revelation 2, the Ephesians would find themselves entangled in weeds and in need of some serious attention.
In this part of our study, we’ll take a closer look at the beginnings and trials of this church to whom Paul wrote from Rome somewhere around 60 AD. The book of Ephesians is like a memory stick on the Church. Small and slight but packed with power. We’ll want to explore it slowly and fully.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
These slight beginnings included a couple who loved the Lord, each other, and others, and were following the Law. They were united in their beliefs and full of integrity, unlike Ananias and Sapphira, who were, albeit together, united in a lie (see Acts 5.1-11 for their ignominious story).
The other participant in these slight beginnings was a spiritual man, Apollos, fervent but not fully informed about the salvation story. He must not have been present when John revealed Jesus as the Lamb of God, for he apparently was only preaching John the Baptist’s message of baptism unto repentance.
The most amazing thing about Apollos was his teachable nature, and his humility.
There he was, popular and listened to, proclaiming all he knew, and yet, he was wise enough to listen to others carefully explain that he was missing some salient features of the gospel message (Acts 18.24-28).
He was not so set on himself, that he could not receive good teaching when it was offered. What a guy!
“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Prov. 9.7-9).
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Prov. 12.15).
“The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise.
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility” (Prov. 15.31-33).
“Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool” (Prov. 17.10).
All these descriptive words on learning, about accepting rebukes and having a teachable and humble spirit, come from Solomon, the wisest king who ever ruled a nation. He began well, just like the Ephesians, seeking Wisdom/Jesus with his whole heart. “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kgs. 3.9). But somewhere along the way (perhaps after adding seven hundred idol-worshiping wives to his family tree, see 1 Kgs. 11.1-6) Solomon lost his first love, as did the Ephesians.
But they, like he, had an auspicious beginning.
Today, any church will thrive, by the lives of those:
who follow the Lord Jesus Christ,
who love Him first and foremost,
who are in the Word and who pray,
who take up their cross daily,
who live within His Law,
who are humble and teachable,
and have humble, teachable, loving Shepherds.
Lord, give us slight beginnings, sure beginnings; and then never let us lose our first love.
Reflection
1. Every day the Lord gives us opportunities for slight beginnings. Explain.
2. What does it mean for you to be open and teachable, like Apollos?
3. Are you prepared to play a role in your church like that which Aquila and Priscilla played?
Now, he cometh afresh unto the Ephesians, that he might try whether he could find any more obedience among them. Furthermore, it is a wonder, that seeing it appeareth by Luke’s report that he was heard more patiently in this synagogue than in any other place, and also that he was requested to tarry, he did not grant their request. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Acts 18.19
Pray Psalm 48.12-14.
Pray for your church—for its pastors, leaders, ministries, members, vision, and outreach. Pray that your church may be a source of beauty, joy, holiness, and life in your community.
Sing Psalm 48.12-14.
(Cwm Rhondda: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
Walk about the blessèd city, see her beauty, see her power.
Count her ramparts, filled with glory, look on every mighty tower.
Tell her glory to the nations: God will guide her evermore;
God will guide her evermore!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” continues our look at the work we’ve been given to do. In our Read Moore column this week, we will finish up the book, Understanding the Times. Our Corsfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert finds him sailing westward over the Atlantic in a leather boat. Lots to learn there. Click the Articles tab on the home page to see all the selections available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
