Day 06 - Walking Through Ancient Ephesus

Today, we explored Ephesus, one of the most well-preserved and significant ancient cities in the world. Walking its stone-paved streets, it wasn’t hard to imagine what life was like when this was a thriving Roman metropolis—a major center of trade, culture, and religion. The city was massive, boasting three agoras (marketplaces), a library, a parliament building, a theater, six Roman baths (most ancient cities only had one or two), an aqueduct system that pumped water through pipes into homes, a town hall, and numerous massive temples. The ruins stretched far and wide, each telling a story of the people who once lived here. But what made Ephesus even more incredible was knowing that Paul himself walked these streets, preached in this city, and wrote to the church here. Seeing it all firsthand made Scripture come alive in a way that’s hard to describe.

As we stopped at shop stalls, we could imagine Paul having conversations with people—maybe even selling his tents in a place just like this. We toured the wealthy homes on the hillside, wondering if any God-fearing merchants had invited Paul into their homes. Sitting in one of the agoras, we read Acts 18, which describes Paul’s three years in Ephesus. One of the most powerful moments was looking up at the massive theater, where two of Paul’s companions were dragged by an angry mob after idol sales began to decline. To sit in that exact place, knowing our brothers in Christ once stood there facing persecution, was an unforgettable experience. Paul wanted to go defend them, but other believers held him back, fearing for his safety.

Ephesus, at its peak, was a major port city, connecting inland trade to the sea. The Library, built by a Roman governor, housed over 20,000 scrolls. The Grand Theater, the largest in the ancient world, could seat 25,000 people—and to think, Paul actually preached in this very theater.

After lunch, we toured the Ephesus Museum, where we saw artifacts unearthed from the city—statues, columns, pottery, jewelry, weapons, coins, and intricate figurines made from bronze, gold, glass, and other materials. These items helped us visualize daily life in ancient Ephesus, showing not only the wealth, artistry, and ingenuity of the people but also their deep religious beliefs.

Our final stop brought everything together—the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While only one large pillar remains standing, earlier in the day, as we stood at the edge of one of the massive agoras, we could begin to imagine just how grand and imposing this temple must have been.

Yet, as we read Acts 5 today, we were reminded of the words of Gamaliel, Paul’s teacher:

" For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

What a contrast—the once-glorious Temple of Artemis, now reduced to ruins, while the message of Jesus has spread across the globe, transforming lives for over 2,000 years. It was a powerful way to end our journey, standing in a place that once symbolized earthly power but now serves as a reminder that only God’s kingdom will stand forever.