_THE GOSPEL OF THE HOLY GHOST_ ‘Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?’ Acts 19:2 The Acts of the Apostles has been called ‘The Gospel of the Holy Ghost.’ It shows us that the Holy Ghost is the life of the Church, Who stands behind every ordinance of the Church, Who works in the sacra... [ Continue Reading ]
_IGNORANCE INDEED_ ‘And they said unto him, We Have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.’ Acts 19:2 Such is the condition of many at the present day in Christian England, and that not by reason of the practical heathenism in which too many of our children grow up in our large cit... [ Continue Reading ]
_IN THE SYNAGOGUE_ “He went into the synagogue and spake boldly.’ Acts 19:8 St. Paul did not turn from the Jews until they had persistently rejected his testimony concerning Christ. I. THE EARNESTNESS OF HIS EFFORT.—He continued it for three months, attempting by argument and persuasion to lead... [ Continue Reading ]
_MIRACLES AT EPHESUS_ ‘And God wrought special miracles by the hand of Paul.’ Acts 19:11 There was special reason in Ephesus for the performance of miracles. The city abounded in magicians and sorcerers, who deceived the people. Among the disciples were some who had evidently practised soothsayin... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE SEVEN SINS OF SCEVA_ ‘They fled out of that house naked and wounded.’ Acts 19:16 There is a striking analogy between these circumstances and the failure of Gehazi to bring back life to the son of the Shunamite woman. Why did Gehazi fail whereas Elisha succeeded? Subsequent events proved that... [ Continue Reading ]
_HOME READING_ Many … brought their ‘together, and burned them in the sight of all.’ Acts 19:19 (R.V.) One of the results of the preaching of St. Paul was the abandonment by his converts of those ‘curious arts’—magical practices by which a superstitious populace had been deluded. A whole cabalist... [ Continue Reading ]
_DISAPPOINTED HOPES_ ‘I must also see Rome.’ Acts 19:21 St. Paul has become more of a power, his authority is recognised in so many of the Asian cities, that he _ determines_ to visit the great capital, and to preach his view of Christianity in the famous centre of the world. This Roman journey a... [ Continue Reading ]
_FALSE ZEAL_ ‘A certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana.’ Acts 19:24 Demetrius is a type of those who debase religion by their covetous-ness. He sold silver shrines made by the operatives of Ephesus. These shrines were probably representatives of the famous... [ Continue Reading ]
_‘GREAT IS DIANA!’_ ‘Great is Diana of the Ephesians.’ Acts 19:34 The craftsmen are types of those who yield to feeling and cupidity what should only be yielded to reason and God. Demetrius appealed to the passions of the workmen, and they were at once on his side. They never reasoned about the t... [ Continue Reading ]