Chapter 27—Ephesus
This chapter is based on
Acts 19:1-20
.
While Apollos was preaching at Corinth, Paul fulfilled his promise
to return to Ephesus. He had made a brief visit to Jerusalem and had
spent some time at Antioch, the scene of his early labors. Thence
he traveled through Asia Minor, “over all the country of Galatia and
Phrygia” (
Acts 18:23
), visiting the churches which he himself had
established, and strengthening the faith of the believers.
In the time of the apostles the western portion of Asia Minor was
known as the Roman province of Asia. Ephesus, the capital, was a
great commercial center. Its harbor was crowded with shipping, and its
streets were thronged with people from every country. Like Corinth, it
presented a promising field for missionary effort.
The Jews, now widely dispersed in all civilized lands, were gener-
ally expecting the advent of the Messiah. When John the Baptist was
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preaching, many, in their visits to Jerusalem at the annual feasts, had
gone out to the banks of the Jordan to listen to him. There they had
heard Jesus proclaimed as the Promised One, and they had carried the
tidings to all parts of the world. Thus had Providence prepared the
way for the labors of the apostles.
On his arrival at Ephesus, Paul found twelve brethren, who, like
Apollos, had been disciples of John the Baptist, and like him had
gained some knowledge of the mission of Christ. They had not the
ability of Apollos, but with the same sincerity and faith they were
seeking to spread abroad the knowledge they had received.
These brethren knew nothing of the mission of the Holy Spirit.
When asked by Paul if they had received the Holy Ghost, they an-
swered, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy
Ghost.” “Unto what then were ye baptized?” Paul inquired, and they
said, “Unto John’s baptism.”
Then the apostle set before them the great truths that are the foun-
dation of the Christian’s hope. He told them of Christ’s life on this
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