Ephesus
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persisted in their rejection of the gospel, the apostle ceased to preach
in the synagogue.
The Spirit of God had wrought with and through Paul in his labors
for his countrymen. Sufficient evidence had been presented to con-
vince all who honestly desired to know the truth. But many permitted
themselves to be controlled by prejudice and unbelief, and refused to
yield to the most conclusive evidence. Fearing that the faith of the
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believers would be endangered by continued association with these
opposers of the truth, Paul separated from them and gathered the dis-
ciples into a distinct body, continuing his public instructions in the
school of Tyrannus, a teacher of some note.
Paul saw that “a great door and effectual” was opening before him,
although there were “many adversaries.”
1 Corinthians 16:9
. Ephesus
was not only the most magnificent, but the most corrupt, of the cities
of Asia. Superstition and sensual pleasure held sway over her teeming
population. Under the shadow of her temples, criminals of every grade
found shelter, and the most degrading vices flourished.
Ephesus was a popular center for the worship of Diana. The fame of
the magnificent temple of “Diana of the Ephesians” extended through-
out all Asia and the world. Its surpassing splendor made it the pride,
not only of the city, but of the nation. The idol within the temple
was declared by tradition to have fallen from the sky. Upon it were
inscribed symbolic characters, which were believed to possess great
power. Books had been written by the Ephesians to explain the mean-
ing and use of these symbols.
Among those who gave close study to these costly books were
many magicians, who wielded a powerful influence over the minds of
the superstitious worshipers of the image within the temple.
The apostle Paul, in his labors at Ephesus, was given special tokens
of divine favor. The power of God accompanied his efforts, and many
were healed of physical maladies. “God wrought special miracles by
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the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick
handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the
evil spirits went out of them.” These manifestations of supernatural
power were far more potent than had ever before been witnessed in
Ephesus, and were of such a character that they could not be imitated
by the skill of the juggler or the enchantments of the sorcerer. As these
miracles were wrought in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the people