If one were to Google the word Ephesus, the first picture that would appear would probably be the Library of Celsus. The marble facade of the library, constructed 114-117 AD, stands two stories above the courtyard. Large columns with intricately designed marble stone grace the entrance way to the impressive building. Marble statues of women personifying virtue, knowledge, and wisdom oversee the many tourists that visit each day.
The Library of Celsus is not the only impressive sight in ancient Ephesus. The great theater mentioned in Acts 19 in which Demetrius the silversmith led a riot against Paul is just down the Marble Road. The theater, which is the largest in Turkey, could seat 25,000 people. It was designed to have plays for children in the morning, drama for the adults in the evening, and later during Roman times to host gladiator battles.
Across the street was the large Agora where people came to buy, sell, and trade. Ships from all over the Roman Empire would dock in the harbor and within a few hundred feet would have a ready audience for their wares.
Just down the street were the terrace houses which were home to the rich and powerful. The houses were built on the ridge of the mountain so its inhabitants could overlook the city. Excavations are continually being done to restore the beautiful artwork on walls and tile mosaics that adorned the floors.
Ancient Ephesus would have truly been a beautiful city; however, little would have been known of these features, outside of ancient writings, until about 150 years ago. Very little could have been seen of the theater and buildings until excavations began in 1863. Little by little dirt was removed wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow and bucket by bucket until it revealed the wonders we see today.
There are two parts to archeology: the digging part that perhaps we are more accustomed to and its preservation. It is one thing to dig it up but it is another thing entirely to preserve what has been found. As long as the buildings, murals and mosaics are underground, they are preserved by the dirt. When it is dug up, they are subjected to weathering and the elements that slowly destroy them. That is where preservation comes in. Whereas it costs very little to dig, since everyone wants to find the treasures underground, it does cost a great deal to preserve it. For example, the shelter that was built to preserve the terrace houses cost over seven million dollars. Keep in mind that only twenty percent of Ephesus has been excavated. Why? Because it takes so much money to preserve the buildings that have been dug up.
The spiritual point that I want to make is this: It is easier to become a Christian than it is to stay a Christian. With this being said, it should be apparent that I do not believe in the doctrine of once-saved-always-saved. Paul writing to those Christians who sought to return to the Old Law said they had fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). The Hebrews writer continually encouraged his readers to remain faithful. Why remain faithful if they were going to be saved anyway?
It is relatively easy to become a Christian, but what about the next day and the day after that? What about the weeks, months and years that lay ahead? Many followed Jesus but in time turned and walked with him no more (John 6:66). Demas, who once was a faithful servant of the Lord and companion of Paul, left because he loved this present world (2 Timothy 4:10).
In Revelation 2:10, John wrote that to receive the crown of life one must be faithful to death. How long was that? For as long as one lived. Living for Jesus is a lifelong commitment. Becoming a Christian is not a one-day event. That faith must be preserved and grown. Peter encouraged his fellow Christians to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Earlier, he said, “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10).
It is great to be a Christian but it is even just as important to maintain our Christianity. It would be a catastrophe to dig the treasures of Ephesus out of the ground only to have them waste away to time and the elements. It would be an even greater calamity to begin as a faithful Christian only to allow that faith to come to ruin because we did not give due diligence to preserve it.
If you would like to know more about being a Christian, maintaining your faith and making sure you get to heaven, please let us know.
Roy Knight
