Historical Background on the Book of Ephesians Acts 18:24-19:41

5/26/10

Time Spent: 13 min

Main Idea: the power of the Gospel has a transforming affect upon its hearers

What I Learned about God: The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation for everyone who believers.

Summary: The setting of Ephesus was in a port-city littered with supernatural magic and polygamous god-worship. It was both encompassed by Jews and Gentiles within its cities. Apollos goes in to teach the Jews that Christ was evident throughout Scripture. Paul then comes in to evangelize to both groups, either in the synagogue or in the marketplace to share about the gospel. Because of Paul's continual evangelism, it states the whole province of Asia heard the Gospel.

There was also a paradigm shift that occured within the city. People saw the supernatural healings that Paul was doing that even his hankerchief had healing powers...causing people to withdraw their magic books and practices on the basis of their newfound faith. Because of these events, the people who worshipped Artemis at her great temple in Ephesus caused a riot against Paul, citing that they have evoked people from the worship that was due their patronness goddess Artemis. Belief in Christ had caused all this because true believers had radically affected the socio-economic plight in the city.

Application: The church at Ephesus was probably less than 10% christian, yet their belief was enough to cause a severe recession towards the income of the people at the temple of Artemis. How are we doing here in the US, where over 50% of the population profess belief in Christ? There must be supernatural change that occurs within the person because of their belief in Christ. I think Francis Chan is right to note that the state of American Christianity is in trouble because they view him as a "radical" for trying to implement the Bible as literally as possible. Now, for me I think that my life has not been such "radical living" as it used to be. I would remember reading Christian books in my spare time in college in order to learn more about God. Now, since I do so much of that reading here, I have shied away and spend my leisure time doing more unproductive activities. I realize that there is nothing "counter-cultural" on the way I spend my time. After finals, I dedicate to reading 3 books before my summer session starts on June 21.