And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 19:8-10

As I read the passage above I was reminded of an old Andrae Crouch song, Everybody’s Got to Know (who Jesus is). It’s not a complicated song, but it drives home the mission of Paul stated in the verses above.

Paul began with the people he was familiar with, speaking “boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God”, but then moved his ministry of reasoning with the people to the hall of Tyrannus. I appreciate how specific Luke is with details because the hall of Tyrannus is a very real place. I’ve seen the ruins in Ephesus and from what is left today, it must have been an impressive place in the first century.

The importance of this location though was that it reached more of the people of Ephesus. It was near the port and the large amphitheater. It was truly an effective place for Paul to reason with the people and it’s important to note that Paul spent two full years there so that “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”

Paul was completely committed to the Gospel, no matter the cost. Even though we do not have the platform of someone like Paul, there is no reason for us not to share the Gospel with those we encounter in our own circles.

Everybody needs to know, right?