A Panoramic View of Ephesus and the Ephesian Church
Paul Ministers in Ephesus: (Acts 19:1-20)
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues (glossa) and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. – Acts 19:1-7 (NASB)
Writes Ephesians from prison in Rome AD
Jesus writes to the Ephesian church in (Revelation 2:1-7)
(Jesus) Church in Ephesus…I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false…Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. – Revelation 2:1-5 (NIV)
…through all prayer and petition, praying at all times in the Spirit, and watching to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints. – Ephesians 6:18 (LITV)
Paul wrote from Ephesus
But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost – 1 Corinthians 16:8 (ASV)
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift (charisma) as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
– 1 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV)
Now there are varieties of gifts (charismata) but the same Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:4 (NASU)
Tongues: A language that (v.2)
Tongues: Speaking to (v.2)
In v.2 “in the spirit” and will (v.2)
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue (glossa) speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries – 1 Corinthians 14:2 (CWSB)
Speaking in tongues the (v.4)
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies (oikodomeo) himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
– 1 Corinthians 14:4 (NASB)
Edifies: oikodomeo – to be a house-builder, construct, edify, embolden (OTESD), to build anything (Vine’s)
Paul tells us that tongues is a form of (vv.14-15)
Paul is saying: Praying with his mind and praying with his spirit are both (vv.14-15)
For if I pray in a tongue (glossa), my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also
– 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NASB)
…praying at all times in the Spirit – Ephesians 6:18 (LITV)
Paul refrains from in the church (vv.18-19)
A Goal of the Church Meeting: (vv.18-19)
A Calvary Perspective
(Jesus) “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. – John 6:63 (NASB95)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
– Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)