In the days of the apostles the Christian believers were filled with earnestness and enthusiasm. So untiringly did they labor for their Master that in a comparatively short time, notwithstanding fierce opposition, the gospel of the kingdom was sounded to all the inhabited parts of the earth. The zeal manifested at this time by the followers of Jesus has been recorded by the pen of inspiration for the encouragement of believers in every age. Of the church at Ephesus, which the Lord Jesus used as a symbol of the entire Christian church in the apostolic age, the faithful and true Witness declared:

I apostlenes dage var de kristne troende opfyldt af alvor og begejstring. Så utrætteligt arbejdede de for deres Mester, at rigets evangelium trods voldsom modstand i løbet af forholdsvis kort tid havde lydt i alle verdens beboede egne. Den iver, som på dette tidspunkt blev udvist af Jesu disciple, er med inspirationens pen blevet berettet til opmuntring for troende i enhver tidsalder. Om menigheden i Efesus, som Herren Jesus brugte til forbillede for hele den kristne kirke, sagde det troværdige og sanddru vidne: