EPSODE 8 of 10: Back To The Beginning
This week (July 5) on Shabbat Night Live, in the Book of The Revelation, we read that the congregation in Ephesus had been led astray by false prophets. Who were these false prophets? Where did they come from and what were they teaching?
Michael Rood takes us back to the beginning when Paul first spoke to the Ephesians and what we can learn from their mistakes.
Watch the episode — included in this blog post.
While you watch, consider the questions below. The timeline for each discussion topic in the video is noted on each question. Post your answers in the comments section and let’s get some discussion going!
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 08:52) What is the significance of Apollos’ teachings in Ephesus, and how do they reflect the original message of repentance and adherence to the Torah as preached by John the Baptist?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 10:57) How did Aquila and Priscilla’s guidance enhance Apollos’ understanding of Yeshua’s ministry, and what impact did this have on his ability to proclaim Yeshua as the Messiah to the Jews in the synagogue?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 16:22) What does Paul’s interaction with the disciples in Ephesus reveal about the evolution from John’s baptism of repentance to the baptism in the name of Yeshua Messiah, and how does this signify a new understanding of life and identity for believers?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 19:11) In what ways did the baptism as performed by Paul and the subsequent reception of the Holy Spirit redefine the disciples’ faith in Ephesus, and how did this spiritual awakening contrast with the resistance and misunderstanding from others within the community?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 23:42) How did the failed exorcism attempt by the seven sons of Sceva, a chief priest, lead to widespread fear and reverence for the name of Yeshua, and what were the consequences for the practice of magic and the growth of the Christian faith in Ephesus?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 26:04) What economic and religious concerns did Demetrius and the craftsmen of Ephesus express regarding Paul’s teachings, and how did their reaction illustrate the conflict between traditional pagan worship and the emerging Christian doctrine?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 31:38) What role did Alexander, the son of Simon of Cyrene, play in the events at Ephesus, and how does his attempt to address the crowd relate to the broader conflict between the early Christian movement and established religious traditions?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 35:27) How does Paul distinguish between true apostles and false ones, and what consequences does he describe for those who deceitfully claim apostleship and mislead others for personal gain?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 37:10) How does Peter characterize false apostles, and what criteria does he suggest for distinguishing them from those who are truly sent by the divine?
- (VIDEO TIMELINE – 42:21) How does the message to the believers in Ephesus emphasize the importance of returning to their ‘first love’ and the original teachings of Yeshua, and what does this reveal about the contrast between their past pagan practices and their new life in the Messiah?
