Did the churches in Asia abandon Christianity or just Paul's teaching of grace?
The churches in Asia did not abandon Christianity entirely; they turned their backs on the apostles' teaching of pure grace. They reverted to legalistic teachings and the influence of Peter, James, John, and the Jewish community. They rejected Paul and did not remain true to the apostle who had brought them out of their paganism.
Les explains that the churches in Asia had not pitched Christianity overboard, but they had turned their back on the apostles' teaching of pure grace. Instead, they went back under much of the legalistic teaching and influence of Peter, James, and John, and the Jewish community. Les points out the heartache this caused, since Paul had suffered for these little churches, spent much time with them, and encouraged them as they grew in grace and knowledge. Yet, writing from prison in Rome just before his martyrdom, Paul had to say that all those in Asia were turned away from him. They had rejected him, though Les says the extent is unknown; Scripture is true. They had not remained true to the apostle who had brought them out of their paganism.