Last week was a great time together as we helped with the college luncheon. We also had time to start our study of the letter to the Ephesians, as we took a tour through Acts and considered the history behind the relationship that Paul had with the church at Ephesus. Let me summarize what we considered from Acts:
Ø First, we see in Acts 15:36 the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey. As we go through Acts 16, Paul revisits the churches he and Barnabas helped establish on the first journey. The church at Ephesus was not one of them. Also, in Acts 16 we have the familiar story of Paul wanting to go to Asia Minor, but God not letting him go there and Paul ends up at Philippi the first work in Europe. In Acts 17 Paul visits Thessalonica and Athens, and in Acts 18 establishes the church in Corinth. This brings him to the ending leg of his journey and on his way home (Acts 18:18-22) he comes to Ephesus where he leaves the friends he met in Corinth (Priscilla and Aquila).
Ø We see in Acts 18:23 the beginning of his third missionary journey beginning back at his missionary base, the church at Antioch.
Ø Once in Antioch, Paul regroups and again leaves to visit all of the disciples (Acts 18:23). On this his third Journey, Paul ends up in Ephesus and spends a lengthen time there. (Acts 19:1-19). During this time we see a remarkable thing happen. Paul sets up shop in what is called the school of Tyrannus (19:9) and as a result of his teaching the scripture tells us that “all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”
Below is a 15 century map showing what Asia Minor would probably have included. The question was asked, “How could so many have been shared with in only 2 two years?”
Ø At the end of his Third Missionary Journey (Acts 20:7:38) Paul comes back to Ephesus just long enough to say goodbye. He meets with the leaders of the church of Ephesus and shares that they will not see him again.
Ø Paul goes to Jerusalem and ends up in prison in Rome, from which he writes this wonderful letter to the Ephesians.
This is where we will start tomorrow. Ephesians chapter 1:1-2 will be covered, but you need to read the first chapter to see the context. For those of you who received the handout last week, please take time to look at pages 12-13.
Memory Verses to Date:
1. 1 Peter 2:2
2. Isaiah 53:6
3. Proverbs 15:1
4. 1 Peter 3:18
5. 1 Peter 5:8
6. New One Assigned Last Week: Psalms 119:11
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