Topical Bible: Fellowship: Those Who Avoided Fellowship With the Wicked: Church of Ephesus

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The Church of Ephesus, as depicted in the New Testament, serves as a notable example of a Christian community that was commended for its discernment and steadfastness in avoiding fellowship with the wicked. This early church, located in a prominent city of the Roman Empire, was established by the Apostle Paul and became a significant center for the spread of Christianity in Asia Minor.

Commendation for Discernment

In the Book of Revelation, the Church of Ephesus receives a message from Jesus Christ through the Apostle John. The Lord commends the Ephesian believers for their ability to test and reject false apostles and their perseverance in upholding the truth. Revelation 2:2-3 states, "I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles. Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name."

This passage highlights the church's commitment to maintaining doctrinal purity and moral integrity. The Ephesians were vigilant in their efforts to discern truth from falsehood, ensuring that their fellowship remained untainted by those who sought to lead them astray.

Avoidance of Wickedness

The Church of Ephesus was situated in a city known for its idolatry and immorality, particularly associated with the worship of the goddess Artemis. Despite these challenges, the Ephesian believers were resolute in their separation from the wicked practices surrounding them. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, exhorts them to live as children of light and to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Ephesians 5:11 instructs, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

This directive underscores the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between the righteous and the wicked. The Ephesians were called to be a light in a dark world, exposing evil rather than participating in it.

Endurance in Faith

The Church of Ephesus also demonstrated endurance in the face of persecution and trials. Their ability to remain steadfast in their faith, while avoiding the influence of the wicked, is a testament to their commitment to Christ. The Apostle Paul, during his farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, warns them of the impending challenges and the need to be vigilant against false teachings. Acts 20:29-31 records, "I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."

The Ephesian church's ability to heed this warning and remain faithful to the teachings of the apostles is indicative of their dedication to avoiding fellowship with those who would corrupt their faith.

Legacy of the Ephesian Church

The Church of Ephesus serves as an enduring example for believers throughout the ages. Their commitment to doctrinal purity, moral integrity, and separation from wickedness is a model for Christian communities seeking to navigate the challenges of living in a world that often opposes the values of the Gospel. The Ephesian believers' vigilance in testing false teachings and their perseverance in faith are qualities that continue to inspire and instruct the Church today.

Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 2:6
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... and violence; but Bunyan wisely avoided a collision ... and members in particular, that
is, those that were ... and of self-denial, at their receiving into fellowship. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

The Sentence of the Synod.
... says as follows: They are to be avoided who are in ... For we are taught, "What fellowship
hath righteousness with ... And we account those who do not receive these ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the sentence of the synod.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... with us agree in one fellowship of communion ... so that all subtilities of interpretation
might be avoided. ... They contained all things like those which Caelestius ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Pope Anterus.
... which is better and more profitable be avoided, and what ... And have no fellowship with
the unfruitful works of ... it is a shame even to speak of those things which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/pope anterus.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... in accord with the errors of the wicked Nestorius and ... the Bishop of Antioch, and
thus avoided the first ... Arverne, and departing he subjugated those cities, from ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... all superfluous questions and disputings being avoided; that so ... heathen sacrifices
than to forbid those celebrated in ... all, freedom to sin be denied the wicked. ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

the Use of Humiliation
... where I may have the brotherly fellowship of so ... Lord's supper, (when it is perhaps
avoided voluntarily by ... However, those within and those without may receive ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 - the use.htm

Covenant Duties.
... when the causes of sin are altogether avoided, and its ... a thing it would be to see
those nations associated, by the strong ties of fellowship, and a ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Caesar Fell Down.
... and associates, they are to be entirely avoided by us ... Acacius had been appointing
those who were really ... was a formal declaration of Church fellowship, or even a ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter ii caesar fell down.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... There, after much feasting, when the sense of fellowship has waxed warm and ... of the
poets, and taught men to reject the wicked demons and those who did ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm