Transcript The churches of Christ in the New Testament 6 of 17

The churches of Christ in the
New Testament 6 of 17
“church in Ephesus”
Acts 18:18-21
18:22-28
19:1-10
Don R. Taaffe,
Gospel preacher,
Dunedin, Florida
11/15/2009
• 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
• 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
Acts 15:36 – 20:38
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.
10 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
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?
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.
General information about
the city
• “Worship” in the Temple included organs
tic feasts were Temple prostitutes
“performed religious sex” (McMurray,
pages 168-169)
• 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.
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)
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)
Paul’s message that
built the church
• Preached things concerning the kingdom of
Acts
19:9
Acts
God
– Acts
22 19:8
Acts 19:20,
20:20
Acts
19:26
920
When
some
stubbornly
refused
to
believe
and
spoke
So
the
word
of
the
Lord
grew
mightily
and
prevailed.
• IPreached
thefrom
word
of the
Lord helpful,
– Acts
20
did
not
shrink
doing
anything
26
You
also
seetwo
andofhear
that
not Timothy
only in he
Ephesus
but
evil
of
the
Way
before
the
congregation,
left
them,
22
So
he
sent
his
helpers,
and
Erastus,
19:20,
22
proclaiming
the
message
to
you
and
teaching
you
Acts
19:8
in
almost
whole
ofwith
Asia
thisand
Paul
hasfor
persuaded
taking
thethe
disciples
him,
argued
daily
intime
the
to
Macedonia,
while
he
himself
stayed
some
publicly
and
from
house
to
house,
(NRSV)
8and
He
entered
the
synagogue
and
for
three
months
•
Against
images,
and
idolatry
–
Acts
19:26
drawn
away
a
considerable
number
of
people
by
lecture
hall
of Tyrannus.
(NRSV)
longer
in
Asia.
(NRSV)
spoke
out
and
argued
persuasively
about
the
• Divided
Themade
disciples
to a are
separate
group
saying
thatboldly,
gods
with hands
not gods.
(NRSV)
kingdom
of God.
starting
the (NRSV)
congregation -- Acts 19:9
• Taught publicly and from house to house –
Acts 20:20 (things profitable)
Paul’s message that
built the church
Acts 20:24-25
• Gospel
of the grace of God – Acts 20: 24Acts
20:32
24 But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if
25
Acts
32
"So
now,
brethren,
I commend
to Godthat
andI to
only I20:27
may
finish
my course
and theyou
ministry
• For
Preached
the
whole
God
–whole
Acts
27
I have
not
shunned
tocounsel
declare
you
the
the
word
of His
grace,
which
is
totoof
build
you
up
and
received
from
the
Lord
Jesus,
toable
testify
to
the
good
counsel
of
(NKJV)
give
you
anGod.
inheritance
among
all those
whonow
are I know
news20:27
(Gospel
drt)
of God's
grace.
25 "And
sanctified.
• Commended
themwhom
to God
and
theabout
word of
that
none of(NKJV)
you, among
I have
gone
his grace
Acts 20:32
proclaiming
the–kingdom,
will ever see my face again.
(NRSV)
• 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.
The results of Paul’s
preaching
Acts 19:18-20
Ephesians
• Heard1:13
the word of truth, trusted and
18
many who had believed came confessing and
EphAnd
2:8-9
13
In
him you also,
when you had
heard the word of
believed
– Ephesians
1:13.
Acts
19:4-5
telling
their
deeds.
19 Also,
many
ofthrough
those who
hadand
8truth,
For by
grace
you
have
been
saved
faith,
the
gospel
ofbaptized
your
salvation,
and
had
believed
in
4practiced
Paul
said,
"John
with
the
baptism
of
•
They
believed
and
burned
their
books
of
magic
brought
their
books
together
and
this
is
not
your
own
doing;
it
is
the
gift
of
God
—
9
not
him,
were marked
with
the
seal
ofbelieve
the19:18-20
promised
Holy
repentance,
telling
the
people
to
in
the
one
Magic
and
witchcraft
–
Acts
burned
them
in the sight
of no
all.one
Andmay
theyboast.
counted
up the
the
result
of
works,
so
that
(NRSV)
Spirit;
(NRSV)
who
was
towere
come
after
him,
in Jesus."
5 Onof
• They
saved
by that
the
grace
of God
value
of them,
and
it totaled
fiftyis,
thousand
pieces
hearing
they
were
name of and
the Lord
through
their
faith
(belief)
–the
Ephesians
silver.
20this,
So the
word
ofbaptized
the
Lordingrew
mightily
Jesus.
(NRSV)
2:8-9.
prevailed.
(NKJV)
• Baptized in the name of Jesus or by the
authority of Jesus – Acts 19: 4-5
Every church can grows
by missionary work
• Paul sent out by church – Acts 13:3
Romans
10:15
Philippians
1:3-5
Acts
13:3must
•
We
be
sent
–
Romans
10:15
–
15
And how
shall
they preach
unless theyyou,
are4sent? As
33 IThen
thank
my
God
every
time
I
remember
after fasting
and praying
they laid their hands
Antioch
sent Paul
and Barnabas.
it
is written:praying
"How beautiful
are
theone
feetofofmy
those
who
constantly
with
joy
in
every
prayers
on• them
andchurches
sent themcorporative
off. (NRSV) in supporting
Other
preach
the
gospel
of peace,
Whosharing
bring glad
tidings
of
for all
of
you,
5
because
of
your
in
the
gospel
this work – Philippians 1:3-5 (Phil. 4:14good
things!"
(NKJV)
from16)
the
first day
until now. (NRSV)
• Before a New Testament church can be
established. In any place, workers must
be found who will preach the Gospel.
WORK OF THE LOCAL
EphesiansCHURCH
4:11-12
PATTERN OF
SOUND WORDS
2
1:13 1:8
1 Timothy
Thessalonians
2
Timothy
1:13
Ephesians
1
11Timothy
And He5:16
Himself4:11-12
gave some to be apostles, some
13
Hold
fast
the
pattern
ofthe
sound
words
which you
8Acts
For
from
you
the
word
of
Lord
has
sounded
forth,
20:28
16
If any believing
man or woman
has widows,
let
them
prophets,
some
evangelists,
and
some
pastors
and
have
heard
from
me,Beinsure
faith
and
which
areevery
in
not
only
in
Macedonia
and
Achaia,
but
also
in
28 "And
now
beware!
that
youlove
feed
and
shepherd
relieve
them,
and
do
not
let
the
church
be
burdened,
teachers,
12
for
the
equipping
of
the
saints
for
the
•God's
God’s
pattern
for
the
work
of
the
local
church
Christ
Jesus.
(NKJV)
flock-his
church,
purchased
with
his blood-for
the Holy
place.
Your
faith
toward
God
has
gone
out,
so
that
we
that
itis
relieve
those
whoasare
really
(NKJV)
work
ofmay
ministry,
for
the edifying
of
the widows.
body
of Christ,
Spirit
holding
you
responsible
overseers.
(TLB)
do –notCaring
need to
anything.
forsay
needy
saints(NKJV)
- 1 Timothy 5:16
(NKJV)
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock,
– Evangelism
Thessalonians
among
which the Holy- 1Spirit
has made you 1:8
overseers, to
– Edification
(1 purchased
Corinthians
shepherd
the church- Acts
of God20:28;
which He
with14:26;
His own
blood.Eph.
(NKJV)
4:11-12) If no order, then no disorder (1
Cor. 14:40)
18
Care for the needy Saints
• Paul encourage the elders to “support the
Actsweak”
20:35 – Acts 20:35 (NRSV)
35• In
I“Ihave
all
this
shewed
I haveyou
given
all
things,
youallanthings”
how
example
that– that
so
labouring
by such
have
showed
you
Acts
work
ye
ought
we must
to (KJV)
support
support
thethe
weak,
weak,
andremembering
to rememberthe
the
20:35
words
of the had
Lord taught
Jesus, how
for
hehehimself
said,
Itsaid,
is more
'It is
blessed
more
– Paul
them
by instruction
and
blessed
to
giveexample.
than
to give
to receive.
than to receive.'
(KJV) " (NRSV)
– “All things” illustrating the design,
nature, and duties of caring for the weak
saints.
Care for the needy Saints
Matthew
25:34-36
Acts 20:35
• Then
Paul
addressed
the
elders
reminding
them
34
the
king
will
say
to
those
at
his
right
hand,
'Come,
you
35 In
all
this
I
have
given
you
an
example
that
by
such
words
our order
and
Savior
Jesusfor
that of
arethe
blessed
by myofFather,
inherit the
kingdom
prepared
workChrist
we must
support
the
weak,
remembering
the
“it is more
blessed
tofor
give
toand
you from the foundation
of the
world; 35
I wasthan
hungry
words
of
the
Lord
Jesus,
for
he
himself
said,
'It
is
more
you gave
me
food,
I
was
thirsty
and
you
gave
me
something
to
receive” – Acts 20:35
blessed
to agive
thanand
to receive.'
" (NRSV)
drink, I was
stranger
you welcomed
me, 36 I was naked
• In helping in this way, the weak are
and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I
with
happiness.
was blessed
in prison and
you visited
me.' (NRSV)
• And those of you that give from a pure
motive God will bless – Matthew 25:3436.
Evangelism and Edification
• Attention
was given in Ephesus
Acts
19:10
edification
– Acts
10 This
continued and
for twoevangelism
years, so that all
the 19:
10; (1
Timothy
2:6)
residents
of
Asia,
both
Jews
and
Greeks,
heard
the
Acts 13:16
• Paul
have
the ability to go where he
word
of
the
Lord.
(NRSV)
16 So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
could find people to teach – Acts
"You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen.
13:16; (16:13; 17:17)
(NRSV)
• we cannot forget or neglect the
edification of the new converts, they
must be grounded in the faith.
Evangelism and Edification
• Paul
words to the Ephesians must not
Acts
20:28-30
28 Keep
watch
over20:28-30
all the flock,
be lost
onover
usyourselves
today –and
Acts
of•which
Holy Spirit
made
you overseers,
If wetheintend
thathas
our
work
here be to
shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the
given
to
abide
and
prosper,
blood of his own Son. 29 I know that after I have gone,
consideration
will
have you,
to be
savage
wolves will come
in among
notgiven
sparingto
the
both
evangelism
andown
edification.
flock.
30 Some
even from your
group will come
distorting
the truth
order to entice
the disciples
• A church
likeinEphesus
is not
likely toto
follow
them.into
(NRSV)
come
existence by chance.
Evangelism and Edification
• Ephesus
was a church of strong
Rev
2:2, 6
Acts
20:20
Ephesians
1:15works,
Luke
6:39 your
convictions
as toyour
thetoil
truth
thepatient
Gospel –
2 "I know
andof
your
20
IHe
did
not
shrink
from
doing
anything
helpful,
15
I
have
heard
of
your
faith
in
the
Lord
Jesus
and your
39
also
told
them
a
parable:
"Can
a
blind
person
Ephesians
19:8)
endurance.
I know1:15
that (Acts
you cannot
tolerate
evildoers;
proclaiming
the
message
to
you
and
teaching
you
love
toward
all
the
saints,
and
for
this
reason
guide
a
blind
person?
Will
not
both
fall
into
a
pit?
you
have tested
those who
claim
to be apostles
but
• Tried
and proved
false
teachers
– (NRSV)
publicly
and from house to house, (NRSV)
(NRSV)
areRevelation
not, and have 2:2,
found6them to be false. 6 Yet this is
to• your
credit:inyou
the works
of in
thestudying
Nicolaitans,
Diligent
thehate
teaching
and
the
which
I also
hate. 20:20
(NRSV)( Acts 19:9-10)
truth
– Acts
• Not blind following the blind – Luke 6:39
(Revelation 2:2)
The Ephesians letter
Ephesians
2:15-16
• Chapters
1-3 cover the doctrinal will
Ephesians
4:4
Ephesians
15 having
abolished
in His flesh the enmity, that is,
portion1:22-23
of the letter
422
There
is one
body
and
onecontained
Spirit,
justinfeet
as
you
were
And
he
has
put
all
things
under
his
and
has
the
law
of
commandments
ordinances,
•
Chapters
4-6
cover
the
practical
called
increate
one
hope
ofover
yourallone
calling;
(NKJV)
made
him
the
head
things
for
the
church,
23
so as
to
in
Himself
new
man
from
the
two,
applications of the doctrine learned.
which
is his body,
the16fullness
of He
himmight
who fills
all in
thus making
peace,
and that
reconcile
• Paul
do not desire a “Gentile church” Or a
all.
(NRSV)
them both to God in one body through the cross,
“Jewish church.” He only wanted the one
thereby putting to death the enmity. (NKJV)
church God had revealed – Ephesians
2:15-16; 4;4; 1:22-23
The Second Epistle
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 to Ephesus
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of
• “But, this I have against thee” – Revelation 2:4
angels,
butfaults.
have not love, I have become sounding
– Their
brass
or a has
clanging
cymbal.
2 And
though I have2:4
the
• “Thou
left thy
first love”
– Revelation
gift
of prophecy,
andone
understand
all mysteries
and all
• First
love, leads
to ask, not,
“How much
must I do?”
“How
much
I do?”
knowledge,
andbut,
though
I have
allcan
faith,
so that I could
• Note:mountains,
Ephesiansbut
church
its “work
– labor –3
remove
have with
not love,
I am nothing.
-- Revelation
2:2 compared
topoor,
church
Andpatience”
though I bestow
all my goods
to feed the
and
of Thessalonica “work of faith – labor of love –
though
I giveofmyhope”–
body to1be
burned, but have
patience
Thessalonica
1:3 not love,
it• profits
me nothing. (NKJV)
The indispensability
of love as a motive – 1
Corinthians 13:1-3
Conclusion:
Revelation
• A fatal1:20
error, unless corrected –
Revelation
2:5
Revelation
20
The
mysterytherefore
of 2:5
the seven
which
thou
5 Remember
fromstars
whence
thou
art sawest
fallen, in
my
hand,
and
goldenorthe
candlesticks.
The
• right
The
candlestick
represents
identity
of
and
repent,
and
dothe
theseven
first works;
else
I will come
congregation
asof
athe
church
of
Christ.and
seven
stars
are theand
angels
seven
churches:
untothis
thee
quickly,
will
remove
thy candlestick
out
the
seven
candlesticks
which
thou(KJV)
sawest
To
remove
thethou
candlestick
meantare
to the
lose
of• his
place,
except
repent.
their
identity(KJV)
– Revelation1:20.
seven
churches.
• One can, therefore be outwardly faithful in
the performance of his duty and yet lose
the spirit of acceptable service, in his
heart.
Conclusion:
Body of Christ
Ephesians 3:10-11
(Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18)
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 The
in
CHURCH
accordance
with
the
eternal
purpose
that
he
has
Wisdom
Church
carried out in Christ Jesus
our Lord, (NRSV)
Ephesians
of God
3:10-11
is
Important!
God’s Eternal Purpose
3
Conclusion:
The Body
of Christ
Ephesians 1:22-23
Christ,
22Fullness
And he has putof
all things
under Eph.
his feet1:22-23
and has
made
him
the
head
over
all
things
for
the
church,
23
1. All blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3)
which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
-Baptized
into
Christ
(Gal.
3:27)
(NRSV)
-Baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13)
 If not in body (church) – Just Not blessed!28
Conclusion:
Eph. 1:7
Heaven
Heb. 10:23
Ephesians
1:7
Hebrews 10:23
723InLet
himuswe
have
redemption
throughofhisour
blood,
hold
fast
to the confession
hopethe
forgiveness
of our for
trespasses,
according
toisthe
riches
without wavering,
he who has
promised
faithful.
of
his grace (NRSV)
(NRSV)
church of Christ
(Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25)
29
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