Christ and the Churches (chap.2 & 3)
The different Churches:
The 7-churches addressed in chapters 2 & 3 were actual existing churches when John wrote. They also represent the types of churches that have exited throughout the church’s history. For example, 5-of the 7-churches were confronted for tolerating sin in their midst, a problem still seen today.
The first 4-Churches (Chap.2)
(Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum and Thyatira)
I. Ephesus – The Careless Church: (2:1-7)
The Ephesians’ church was the most prominent church on the postal route. The Ephesus church founded the other 6-churches (Acts.19:10) and Paul wrote a beautiful letter to Ephesians. The content of the letter to Ephesus form the pattern for the other 6-churches. The Lord Jesus Christ wrote to this church identifying Himself as “holds the seven stars in His right hand” indicating that these churches have the leaders who are His servants, “the One who walks among the 7-golden lampstands,” indicating that the Sovereign Lord has the authority to examine and can address to this church. This is also a reflection of the some of the early churches during (32-130) A.D. During this period many churches were backslidden in their love and faith.
History: The church had rich heritage. Aquila and Priscilla had first introduced the Gospel to this city (Acts.18:18-19) and soon joined by the powerful preacher Apollos (Acts 18:24-26). The 3-people laid the groundwork for Paul. Apostle Paul first stopped briefly in Ephesus near the end of his 2-missionary journey (Acts.18:19-21), but his real ministry in Ephesus took place on his 3-missionary journey (Acts19:5). Paul laboured for the church for 3-years (Acts. 20:31)
Later Timothy served as a pastor of the church at Ephesus (1 Tim.1:3), Onesiphorus (2 Tim.1:16,18) and Tychicus (2Tim.4:12). Apostle John spent the last 10 years of his life at Ephesus from which he wrote 1,2 and 3 John Epistles. From here John was arrested and exiled to Patmos.
During Paul’s ministry, the gospel had convicted many people who were practicing magic and witch craft. They all brought their books and burnt them which was estimated to cost around 50,000 pieces of silver (Acts.19:18-19). The most important thing of Ephesus was the city was the home of goddess Artemis also called Diana (Acts. 19:27,35) which had become one of the 7-Wonders of the Ancient World. During Paul’s ministry, the silver smith Demetrius, the craftsmen began a riot that threw Ephesus into chaos (Acts.19:23-41).
Ephesus had a population of 2.5 to 5.0 lacks population. It had a theatre which is estimated to accommodate 25,000 people. The city hosted Athletic events rivalling the Greek Olympic games. In the midst of this pagan city which had the goddess Artemis, a small faithful group of Christians existed to which Christ addressed this first of the seven letters.
Appreciation:(2:2-3, 6):How gracious of the Lord to start with words of commendation! To begin with, this was a serving church, busy doing the works of the Lord. No doubt their weekly schedule was filled with activities. It was also a sacrificing church. The Ephesians Christians paid a price to serve the Lord. They kept going when the going was tough.
Ephesians Christians separated themselves not only from false doctrine but also from false deeds (2:6). The word Nicolaitan means “to conquer the people.” Some Bible students believe this was a sect who “lorded it over” the church and robbed the people of their liberty in Christ (3 Jn. 9-11). They initiated what we know today as “clergy” and “laity,” a false division that is taught nowhere in the New Testament. All God’s people are “kings and priests” (1 Pet.2:9; Rev. 1:6) and have equal access to the Father through the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19ff). We shall meet this dangerous sect again when we study the message to the church at Pergamum.
The believers at Ephesus were a suffering people who patiently bore their burdens and toiled without fainting. And they did all of this for His name’s sake! No matter, how you examine this congregation, you conclude that it is just almost perfect. However, the One among the lampstands saw into their hearts, and He had a different diagnosis from ours.