Ephesus, Center of Missions and Outreach

Monday, May 20, 2024

Dear family and friends,

Ephesus, was a large inland port in Asia minor, which is now Turkey.  Because this location during the time of Paul it was a hub of international travel to and from other parts of the Mediterranean.

Today it is 5km from the old port due to earthquakes and silt as water flows into the sea. Both events helped to preserve this site for us to see today. An earthquake in 614 AD destroyed the city covering most of the buildings that had fallen with soil. Over the centuries silt came down from the mountains covering the site with more soil. 

Late in the 1800s archaeologist began their explorations of the site, which had continued for over 100 years. It is still an archaeological active site with more discoveries added each year.

Part of the site today is uncovered large blocks of the building stones that stood once in Ephesus. It reminds me of thousands of large legos just waiting to be put back together.

Paul’s ministry here extremely successful. The church that Paul established was made Jewish believers and gentiles that had practiced magic in their idol worship. The book of Acts tells us that there was a large book burning ceremony as the magicians destroyed those items used their practices.

The citizens no longer visited Temple of Diana of the Ephesians or purchasing the silver idols so a riot of craftsmen erupted. Acts 19:23-42. The riot was at the amphitheater.

Paul was encouraged with his efforts in Ephesus. The riot of the silversmiths demonstrated his successful ministry in this region. As an international cross roads and successful commercial center, Ephesus became the center of ministry and mission outreach to the entire region of Asia Minor.

Next we visited sites not directly related to Paul. I will write about them soon.

Thanks for reading. Comments are appreciated!

Ellen

PS. Internet here especially away from large cities has been weak to nonexistent. I do plan to complete my writing as soon as possible.)