Introduction to Ephesians
Tony Tan. Feb 2, 2016
References: Acts 19; Ephesians.
I. History
Ephesus was one of 5 great cities in the ancient world:
Rome, Italy
Corinth, Greece
Antioch, Syria
Alexandria, Egypt
Ephesus was the 2nd largest after Rome with population @ 200-250K
Ephesus had a modern culture and was a wealthy port and trade route.
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| Terrace Houses |
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| Library of Celsus |
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| Theater |
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| Agora (Market place) |
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| Odeum (Public Lecture Hall seats > 1000) |
II. Spiritual Condition
Ephesus was also an important center of pagan worship, specifically the worship of Artemis (Diana - Roman name). Artemis was daughter of Zeus, twin of Apollo. Goddess of the wilderness, the hunt and wild animals, goddess of fertility & birth, helper of midwives. The temple of Artemis is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It had 127 columns x 60m (~200ft) high, 4x the Parthenon in Athens.
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| Temple of Artemis Model |
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| Artermis |
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| Remaining column of the temple today |
Magic & Occult (Acts 19:11-19)
Ephesus was full of wizards, sorcerers, witches, astrologers, diviners of the entrails of animals and people who could read one's fortune by the palm of the hand. “Ephesians writings” was used in ancient times to refer to documents containing spells. Ephesus was heavily defined and influenced in its daily life by the occult, including belief in magic, incantations, and spirit powers
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| Pillar Carvings |
Immorality
The temple and streets were strewn with immoral goddess prostitutes. People could experience more of the goddess’ power by sexually intimacies with her priests and priestesses. It was a wicked city. Immorality flourished and flooded over into the society and families.
Corruption (Acts 19:23-27)
The temple was center of commerce. Promoted the worship of Artemis by minting coins with the inscription, 'Diana of Ephesus’, acting like a central bank. Various crafts (e.g. idol makers) and “related trades” were dependent on worshippers.
III. Lessons
Ephesians mentioned “in the heavenly places” five times. We are spiritual beings, having a physical experience – Ps EdChan
- Ephesians 1:3 (vs 3-4)
- God: Blessings >> Holiness
- Ephesians 1:20 (vs 16-21)
- Christ: Power >> Overcoming life
- Ephesians 2:6 (vs 4-7)
- Believers: Grace/Mercy/Kindness >> Salvation/Made alive
- Ephesians 3:10 (vs 8-11)
- Church: Light/Revelation >> Make known God’s plan
- Ephesians 6:12 (vs 10-13)
- Evil Forces: Strength/Equipping >> Stand strong in spiritual warfare
