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Introductory Background and Information I. Ephesus as a city.
1. Ephesus was situated at the junction of natural
trade routes, and was on the main route from Roma
to the East.
2. Ephesus was famed for its commerce and riches, and
for its being the metropolis of the Province of
Asia.
3. It was the residence of the Roman Proconsul who
governed the Province of Asia, and hence, was the
seat of the Courts of Justice.
4. Consequently, it was the place to which men of
fortune and learning and genius resorted.
5. The inhabitants of Ephesus and all Asia were
largely an idolatrous people.
6. It was here that the famous temple of Diana was
located.
a. It was said to be the very throne of idolatry.
b. The worship of idols was performed in no part of
Asia or the heathen world with more splendor
than at Ephesus.
7. Many were given over to the practice of the
mysteries or arts of magic and divination. II. The order of events in establishing the church at
Ephesus. Acts 18 and 19.
1. Paul, along with Aquila and Priscilla, left Corinth
and came to Ephesus. Acts 18:18-19
2. Paul left Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus and went
to Jerusalem by way of Caesarea and Antioch. Acts
18:20-21
3. Paul then journeyed through Galatia and Phrygia in
order strengthening the disciples. Acts 18:23
4. Meanwhile, Apollos preached in Ephesus, Acts 18:25.
a. Apollos was an eloquent man and mighty in the
scriptures. Acts 18:24
b. Apollos knew only the baptism of John. Acts
18:25
c. Aquila and Priscilla took him unto them and
expounded unto him the way of God more
perfectly. Acts 18:26
(1) John’s baptism and the baptism of Christ
contrasted.
(a) John baptized Jews. Those who were
already children of God by their fleshly
birth.
(b) John’s baptism was based on their
repenting toward God. Mark 1:4-5
(c) John’s baptism was for the remission of
sins. Mark 1:4-5
(d) John’s baptism repaired their
relationship with God.
(e) With John’s baptism there was no
reception of the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:1-
6
(2) The baptism of Christ was for all nations.
Matthew 28:19
(a) These are not children of God. Baptism
in water is a part of the new birth.
John 3:3-5
(b) The baptism of Christ is predicated upon
faith in Christ. Mark 16:15-16
(c) The baptism of Christ is also predicated
upon repentance. Acts 2:38
(d) The baptism of Christ is for remission
of sins. Acts 2:38
(e) The baptism of Christ is to the name of
Christ or by the authority of Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 3:17
(f) The baptism of Christ is the name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew
28:19-20
(g) The baptism of Christ puts one into
Christ. Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-5
(h) The baptism of Christ changes
relationship. 1 Corinthians 5:17;
Colossians 1:13; Galatians 4:4-6; Romans
8:16-17
(i) Those baptized with Christ’s baptism
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38; 5:32
(3) Why was Christ baptized of John?
(a) That Christ might be made manifest to
Israel. John 1:29-34
(b) That Christ might fulfill all
righteousness. Matthew 3:13-15
d. Apollos went to Achaia. Acts 18:27
5. Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to
Ephesus. Acts 19:1
a. Paul found certain disciples who had been
baptized with the baptism of John. Acts 19:1-3
b. Paul explained the difference between the
baptism of John and the baptism of Christ and
they were baptized with the Christ. Acts 19:4-5
6. Many special miracles were wrought by the hands of
Paul. Acts 19:10-11
7. The seven sons of Sceva attempted to cast out evil
spirits by the name of Jesus whom Paul preached.
Acts 19:13-17
8. Many of the magicians brought their books of magic
together and publicly burned them. Acts 19:19
a. The value of the books were about fifty thousand
pieces of silver.
b. Probably about eight thousand dollars in our
money. (I am not sure how inflation has
affected this estimate [remember that this was
written in 1970].)
9. Demetrius, a silversmith, stirred the city up
against Paul and the Christians because their
preaching against idolatry threatened to injure
their business. Acts 19:23-29
10. Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling
companions, were taken into the theatre. Acts
19:29
11. Alexander also was taken. Acts 19:33
12. Paul was persuaded not to enter the theatre. Acts
19:30-31
13. The Ephesians were appeased by the town clerk.
Acts 19:35-41
14. Paul departed into Macedonia. Acts 20:1III. The Occasion for writing the book of Ephesians.
1. Paul had heard of their faithfulness. Ephesians
1:15
2. That the Ephesians might know of his state or
condition. Ephesians 6:21-22
3. To prevent them from being impressed with the
seemingly plausible arguments which the Judiazers
used to persuade them to embrace the law of Moses.
4. To prevent them from being enticed again by the
mysterious arts of magic, etc. IV. Time and place of the writing of the book of
Ephesians.
1. Most probably written Paul about the end of his
second year of imprisonment at Rome about A.D. 60
or 61.
Howard I. See © 1970
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