paul's first short visit of three months to ephesus is recorded in acts chapter 18, verses 19–21. the work he began then was continued by apollos (acts chapter 18 verses 24–26) and aquila and priscilla. on his second visit early in the next year, he stayed at ephesus "three years", and from there visited the western parts of asia minor. from ephesus the gospel spread abroad "almost throughout all asia minor."