_And he went through Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches._ PAUL AS A MODEL FOR ALL GOSPEL MINISTERS He recognises the importance of-- I. Establishing new converts in the faith. In this visit he does not break new ground, but goes over the old scenes. Who that remembers the treatment which h... [ Continue Reading ]
_While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul … came to Ephesus._ --Ephesus was the third capital and starting point of Christianity At Jerusalem Christianity was born in the cradle of Judaism; Antioch had been the starting point of the Church of the Gentiles; Ephesus was to witness its full development, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?_ RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST I. The question itself. 1. Have we received anything? We have said that we believe in Christ. But to test the truth of our profession, God asks, “Have you received?” Believing is always accompanied by... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he welt into the synagogue._ PAUL’S MINISTRY AT EPHESUS I. Wonderful preaching. 1. Manner of the preaching. (1) It was bold (Act 4:31; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philippians 1:14). (2) It was logical (Acts 18:19; Acts 28:23; Jude 1:3). 2. Rejection of the preaching. (1) Hard hearts (Exodus 8:15;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus._ THE SCHOOL OF TYRANNUS The Greek word for “school” had a somewhat interesting history. Originally meaning “leisure,” it was applied to leisure as bestowed on study, then, as here, to the place in which study was pursued; lastly, as in our phrase, “th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists._ SEVEN SONS OF SCEVA A great spiritual revolution had taken place in Ephesus. At first Paul found the twelve disciples without Christian knowledge beyond the baptism of John. Under Paul’s ministry the Holy Ghost had been poured out, and from that time... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?_ A DEVIL’S ESTIMATE OF CHARACTER I. Christ’s character is studied by evil spirits. “Jesus I know.” 1. Their attention would be excited by the prophecies respecting an illustrious One destined to put their force... [ Continue Reading ]
_And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds._ THE RIGHT CONFESSION I. Its root: faith. II. Its motive: repentance. III. Its fruit: obedience. (_K. Gerok._) CONVERSION “And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds,” etc. (Acts 19:18). This text prov... [ Continue Reading ]
_So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed._ THE GROWING AND PREVAILING GOSPEL 1. This is a despatch from the seat of war announcing a glorious victory for the royal arms. 2. Past triumphs of the gospel may be use:! as encouragements. 3. We, too, shall see the Word of God grow and prevail,... [ Continue Reading ]
_After these things were ended Paul purposed in the spirit._ CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIANITY Note-- I. A practical beneficence in its spirit. There is distress in Jerusalem. Paul feels that something must be done for its relief. He communicates it to Timotheus and Erastus, and they feel the same;... [ Continue Reading ]
_There arose no small stir about that way._ STIR ABOUT THE WAY There is no new thing under the sun. Wherever the gospel is preached in its power and purity there has always been no small stir about that way. Some will applaud, and others load it with reproach. Let us inquire-- I. What is meant by... [ Continue Reading ]
_A certain man named Demetrius._ PAUL AND DEMETRIUS The application of these words to present day life is a task that might be assigned to a child. Demetrius never dies; his word is to be heard in every tongue; he is present in great force in every Church, as representing two special phases of lif... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gaius and Aristarchus… Paul’s companions in travel _ THE MORALS OF TRAVELLING These four words would be epitaph enough for any man. It would take four days to tell the object, victories, sufferings of their travels. They trod the streets of the greatest cities, and fell at times among barbarians... [ Continue Reading ]
_Some therefore cried one thing, and some another._ THE EXCITEMENT AT EPHESUS I. What produced it. 1. Self-interest endangered. 2. Superstitious feelings aroused. 3. The unpopularity of the gospel. 4. The persuasive eloquence of one man. II. What it produced. A display of the spirit of-- 1.... [ Continue Reading ]