CHAPTER XIX.

WHAT does this Chapter contain?

1. PAUL'S SOJOURN AT EPHESUS; AND HIS MIRACLES. 2. THE WONDERFUL PROGRESS OF THE WORD OF

GOD.

3. THE TUMULT ABOUT DIANA'S SHRINE.

4. THE SPEECH OF THE TOWN-CLERK; AND THE DISMISSAL OF THE ASSEMBLY.

1. Of whom had the sacred writer made mention at the close of the last chapter? Of Apollos. Who was Apollos? (See Quest. Acts xviii. 24.) Where was Apollos at the time here referred to? "At Corinth." What was Corinth? (See Quest.

Acts xviii. 1.)

Did Apollos stay some time at

Corinth ? Yes; he appears to have remained there a considerable time. During this interval, what was Paul doing? Churches of Christ, which planted, in various places.

He was visiting the he had previously What is here said

Is the word "coasts"

of him? Paul, having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus." to be understood here of the sea-shore? No; by the " upper coasts" is meant the table-lands, or more elevated regions of Asia Minor. provinces are particularly meant? Phrygia.*

What

Galatia and

Why did the Apostle, in taking this

* Acts xviii. 23.

route, return to Ephesus? Because he had promised to return ;* and because he had much to do in that city, for the furtherance of the Gospel. Whom did Paul find at Ephesus? "Certain disci

ples."

Disciples of whom? Disciples of Christ. Had Paul known them before? No; they were recent converts; probably fruits of Apollos' ministry.

2. What question did Paul put to these disciples? "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost, since ye believed?" What did Paul imply that they believed? The Divine promise of a Saviour, and his advent in the person of Christ Jesus. Could they believe those truths without having received the Holy Ghost? Not without his ordinary, converting influences;† but Paul's question relates to the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost. What led the Apostle to suppose, that they might have received the special gifts of tongues and miracles? The fact, that, in the Apostolic age, those gifts were imparted to the infant communities of Christians. What answer

did they make to this inquiry? "They said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." to say, that they had no and operations of the that they had not heard his special outpouring What words might be

Did these converts mean knowledge of the existence Spirit of God? No; but whether the prediction of had yet been fulfilled. supplied, to give the

*Acts xviii. 21. † 1 Cor. xii. 3.

Joel ii. 28, 29.

We have not so

true meaning of their reply?

much as heard whether the Holy Ghost be yet given.

3. What did Paul next say to them?

"Unto what

then were ye baptized?" What is the meaning of the question, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" What did you profess to believe, when you were baptized? Was baptism always connected with some system of religious belief? Yes; it was a sign of adherence to a particular doctrine. Unto what did these disciples say that they had been baptized? "Unto John's baptism." Was John's baptism the same as Christian baptism? John's baptism was only introductory to that of Christ. What is the difference between John's baptism and that ordained by Christ? (See Quest. Matt. iii. 6.)

No;

4. Was Paul anxious to make this distinction known to the disciples? Yes; he began to explain to them the nature and design of John's baptism. What did he say concerning the nature of John's baptism? "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance." What is meant by "the baptism of repentance"? A baptism binding those who received it to newness of life. To whom had the Baptist himself unfolded the design of his baptism? "To the people." What had he taught the people in relation to its design? "That they should believe on Him, who should come after him."+ Did the Apostle proceed to explain

* As in John vii. 39.

† John i. 15, and 22-27.

who it was, on whom they should believe? Yes; he added, "that is, on Christ Jesus." Is it likely, that this was all that the Apostle said, at the time, concerning the Lord Jesus? No; we may

be sure that he discoursed to the disciples of the evidence of his Messiahship, and of the benefits of his religion.

5. What effect was produced by the words of the "When they heard this, they were

Had

Apostle? baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." these persons been baptized before? They had never before received Christian baptism. Is baptism, once received, sufficient, without need of being repeated? Yes; if it is administered in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6. When these disciples had received Christian baptism, what did Paul do to them? He "laid his hands upon them." Why did the Apostle lay

his hands upon them? (See Quest. Acts viii. 17.) What effect followed the laying on of Paul's hands? "The Holy Ghost came on them." Did this come to pass by the power of Paul? No; it was God, who wrought by his servant. What evidence of Divine power was displayed on the part of those upon whom the Holy Ghost came? They spake with tongues, and prophesied." What is meant by their speaking with tongues? That they discoursed in new* and various + languages. What is meant by their That they were endued with

prophesying?

knowledge to teach, and to foretell things to

come.

7. How many were there of these disciples? the men were about twelve."

"All

8. Did the Apostle leave to them all the labour of

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teaching and preaching? No; he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three What was the subject-matter of his

months." preaching?

"The things concerning the kingdom of God." What are "the things concerning the kingdom of God"? The truths which relate to the reign of Messiah, and the blessings enjoyed by his people. What were the different forms of address employed by the Apostle? "Disputing and persuading." What is meant by his "disputing"? That he reasoned, or shewed by argument the truth and excellence of the Gospel. And what is meant by his "persuading"? (See Quest. Acts xviii. 4.) Give an instance, &c.

(See Quest. Acts xviii. 4.)

9. Did all his hearers yield to the force of the Apostle's arguments and persuasions?

were hardened, and believed not."

No; "divers

What makes

the heart hard and unimpressible? Prejudice and the love of sin, which cause men to resist evidence. Did these sinners keep their animosity to themselves? No; they "spake evil of that way before the multitude." Of what "way" did they speak evil? Of the Gospel way of salvation, by faith in a crucified, risen, and glorified Saviour. When Paul perceived the evil designs of his oppo