Learning from the Epoch of “EPHESUS”

Apostolic Age [30-100]

Acts 20:29-30 [Paul to the Ephesians]
“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

2 Timothy 4:10 [Paul’s last letter, from prison in Rome]
for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica

3 John 9 [John, last living apostle, lived out his years in Ephesus]

I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.

With the death of the Apostles, the Church faced issues of UNITY, AUTHORITY, PERSECUTION, and the measure of TRUTH.

·  Books of the NT had NOT been collected: Various interpretations of OT & apostle’s teachings were rampant, seductive, dangerous.

·  False teachers continued to threaten faith of believers (I Tim 1:3-7 2 Pet 2:1-3, 1 John 2:18-19, 26)

·  Factious envy & pride continued to divide the churches (1 Cor 1:3:1-4)

·  Persecution continued (Acts 8:1, 1 Cor 4:9-13; Gal 1:13, 2 Thess 1:4; 2 Tim 3:12)

TRUTH / ERROR
JERUSALEM COUNCIL (Peter & Paul): No longer need to submit to external rites, ceremonies, except abstain from “idol” meat & immorality
Baptism: voluntary, complete immersion by those professing Christ.
Priesthood: of all believers, I Peter 2:9
Clement [30-100] Bishop of Rome
Philippians 4:3: Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
He had been with Peter, Paul. Understood authority of plurality of bishops. [96-98] Wrote to Corinthians, pled for them to “embrace humility” & unity.
Ignatius [35-107] Bishop of Antioch, martyred in Rome.
He had known several of the apostles. Emphasized UNITY in Christ’s body: His Deity & humanity UNITY in The Church. Strongly refuted Judaizers. Emphasized Lord’s Supper (Eucharist), which opposed Docetism, Judaizers, & Dis-Unity. / JUDAIZERS, mix of Christianity with false Jewish system of “works”
Saved by “good works” and faith in Christ’s atonement.
GNOSTICISM, Mystical philosophy influenced the early church
Two principles: MATERIAL: Evil, Creator/OT. SPIRITUAL: Good/NT Rejected “resurrection of the body”. Strictly ascetic or notoriously licentious. Special knowledge of “the mysteries” is needful for salvation, leadership. (I Tim 6:20-21). Begun by Simon Magnus?
DOCETISM: Grew out of Gnosticism. Denied Christ’s coming in “the flesh” (I Jn 4:2-3). Cerinthus [85] believed Christ’s Divinity descended on Jesus at baptism, departed at the cross.
DIVISION
Corinthians split again, unjustly despising honored bishops/ elders appointed by the Apostles, who had intended bishops to serve in perpetuity. (I Cor 11: 17-34; Phlp 2:2-3; Tit 3:10-11
NICOLAITANS = “Victory over the people”
Ignatius pleaded for UNITY based on submission to a single bishop. Distinguishes between “bishops [overseers]” and “presbyters [elders]”. Gives “the bishop” a prominence & authority unknown in NT.