THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

MJ3-003

Ephesus — Disciples & Extensive Teaching

After traveling through the interior regions of Asia Minor, Paul finally arrives at Ephesus.

Here he encounters a group of disciples whose understanding is incomplete, teaches them concerning Jesus, and begins one of the longest and most influential ministry periods recorded in his missionary journeys.

“And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples...” — Acts 19:1, NKJV

FEATURED MUSEUM ARTWORK

Ephesus — Teaching the Way of Christ

Museum reconstruction of Paul teaching disciples and ministering in Ephesus — **Artist's Reconstruction — Acts 19:1–10** This artwork presents Paul teaching disciples and ministering in ancient Ephesus. The architecture, gathering spaces, and individual figures are interpretive, while Acts records Paul's ministry among the disciples, in the synagogue, and later in the School of Tyrannus.

Museum Collection: Third Missionary Journeys Exhibit: MJ3-003 Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum Studio

The Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum & Resource Centre

Third Missionary Journey Permanent Collection

Ephesus — Disciples & Teaching

Acts 19:1–10

Exhibit MJ3-003

Location Ephesus

Key Focus Discipleship and extensive teaching

Journey Stage Major Ephesian ministry

Biblical Significance: Ephesus becomes one of the great centers of Paul's ministry. Here disciples receive fuller understanding, Paul reasons concerning the Kingdom of God, and an extended period of teaching begins. Acts records that this ministry eventually influences the wider province of Asia.

THE DISCIPLES

“Did You Receive the Holy Spirit?”

Upon arriving in Ephesus, Paul encounters approximately twelve disciples.

Their understanding of the Gospel is incomplete.

When Paul asks whether they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, their answer reveals that they had not even heard whether there was a Holy Spirit.

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
Acts 19:2, NKJV

THEIR UNDERSTANDING

They Knew Only John's Baptism

John's Message

John the Baptist called people to repentance and prepared them for the coming Messiah.

His ministry pointed forward toward Jesus.

Paul's Explanation

Paul explains that John's baptism was a baptism of repentance and that John told the people to believe in the One who would come after him.

That One was Jesus Christ.

A DEEPER RESPONSE

Baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus

After hearing Paul's explanation, the disciples respond.

Acts records that they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul then lays his hands upon them, and the Holy Spirit comes upon them.

“And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”
Acts 19:6, NKJV

THREE MONTHS

Paul Reasons in the Synagogue

01

Boldness

Paul speaks boldly concerning the Kingdom of God.

02

Reasoning

He reasons with listeners rather than merely making assertions.

03

Persuasion

Paul seeks to persuade people concerning the things of God's Kingdom.

04

Opposition

Some become hardened and speak evil of the Way.

A NEW TEACHING CENTRE

The School of Tyrannus

As opposition grows in the synagogue, Paul withdraws the disciples and begins reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

This becomes an extraordinary period of sustained teaching.

Acts tells us that this continued for two years.

TWO YEARS OF DAILY TEACHING

Ephesus was not merely a short evangelistic stop.

Paul invested deeply in teaching, discipleship, and establishing believers in the truth.

THE IMPACT EXPANDS

The Word Reaches Beyond Ephesus

Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus begins influencing far more than one city.

Acts makes the remarkable statement that those dwelling in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus.

“And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
Acts 19:10, NKJV

ANCIENT TRAVEL PERSPECTIVE

Galatia & Phrygia → Ephesus

APPROXIMATE TRAVEL DISTANCE

Approximately 950 km / 590 miles

Primarily overland travel through the interior of Asia Minor.

Today, a journey approaching 600 miles might be completed by automobile in a single long day.

For Paul, this represented weeks of travel.

At approximately 25–32 km (15–20 miles) on a favorable walking day, the journey could represent roughly four to six weeks of actual travel.

01

Mountain Routes

Interior Asia Minor included mountain passes, highlands, valleys, and difficult terrain.

02

Rivers & Water

Rivers, streams, seasonal water supplies, and safe drinking water affected the journey.

03

Daily Provisions

Food, clothing, bedding, and other necessities had to be carried or obtained along the route.

04

Road Dangers

Travelers faced isolation, possible robbery, injury, changing weather, and other hazards.

THINK ABOUT IT:

Paul did not travel nearly 600 miles simply to arrive at another city.

He traveled so that people could know Christ, believers could be strengthened, and the Gospel could continue spreading.

The mission was worth every mile.

JOURNEY PERSPECTIVE

More Than 1,000 Miles Before Ephesus

Using our working travel estimates, Paul has already covered an extraordinary distance since leaving Antioch.

APPROXIMATE JOURNEY TOTAL SO FAR

Antioch → Galatia: 633 km / 412 miles

Galatia & Phrygia → Ephesus: approximately 950 km / 590 miles

Running Total: approximately 1,583 km / 1,002 miles

And Paul has only just arrived at one of the central ministry locations of the Third Missionary Journey.

LIFE APPLICATION

Discipleship Requires Time

Paul's ministry in Ephesus demonstrates that people often need more than a single encounter with truth.

Believers grow through teaching, correction, encouragement, Scripture, fellowship, and continued discipleship.

CONSIDER:

Are we willing to invest the necessary time to help people grow deeply in their relationship with Christ?

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE...

Extraordinary Things Are About to Happen

Paul's ministry in Ephesus is established.

The Word is spreading. Disciples are being taught. The city is hearing the Gospel.

Next, Acts records extraordinary miracles occurring through Paul's ministry.

CONTINUE THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Next: Ephesus — Extraordinary Miracles

You have completed Exhibit MJ3-003 — Ephesus: Disciples & Extensive Teaching.

CARRY THE WORD WITH YOU

“And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
Acts 19:10, NKJV