THE APOSTLE PAUL ARRIVES IN EPHESUS

            When Paul arrives in Ephesus, he meets 12 disciples of John the Baptist. This is recorded in acts 19:1I. Ephesus is a free Greek city located at the mouth of the Cayster River, which flows into the Aegean Sea. Ephesus exists as the largest city in Asia Minor. The population of Ephesus is 225,000. The Holy Spirit does marry many miracles in the apostle Paul's ministry in Ephesus.

            The community of Christians in Ephesus is meeting from house to house while Paul conducts the work from the Hall of Tyrannus. One of the homes where the church gathers is in the house of Priscilla and Aquila. Paul has received widespread door to preach the gospel in Ephesus; however, he encounters many adversaries.

            The 12 disciples of John the Baptist, Paul brings to Christ and baptizes them in the Holy Spirit falls on each one. And just as in the day of Pentecost many years ago the 12 begin to speak in tongues and prophesy. These 12 men, along with Priscilla and Aquila and Epaenetus, form the nuclear us of the Ephesian Church.

            For three months, Paul preaches Christ with great power in the Ephesian synagogue. The Jews reject and malign his message, so Paul moves his ministry center to the Hall of Tyrannus – which is a lecture hall that he rents. Every day from 11 AM to 4 PM, Paul preaches Christ, trains the eight apprentices that are with him, and lays the foundation for the Ephesian church. (Tyrannus probably lectured in the morning, all Paul used the hall in the afternoon. In the great co-– Roman world, the business day ended at 11 AM when most of the city ate a meal followed by Siesta.)

            Paul will preach and teach in the hall of Tyrannus for two years. During that time, he will unfold the whole will of God. He will also counsel believers on a regular basis, admonishing them with tears.

            At the end of two years, Paul will send is eight apprentices companions throughout the region. These men will plant new churches all over Asia Minor. Some of these churches are listed in revelations chapters to and three. As a result of Paul's ministry in Ephesus and is sending out of these men to the neighboring cities, the whole of Asia Minor will hear the word of God. The body of Christ--the community who expresses God's nature--is growing in Ephesus as well as throughout all of the Asia Minor area. The apostle Paul will spend a total of three years laboring in Ephesus, and this will be his longest church teaching visit. (Taken from Frank Viola's book THE UNTOLD STORY of the New Testament church)