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| 1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, |
Apollos was at Corinth – When Paul arrived at Ephesus Apollos was gone. R2206:4
Came to Ephesus – The Gateway, or Eye, of Asia Minor. R4432:1, 4421:1, 2206:3
One of the most important cities of that time, its population being chiefly Greeks. R2206:3
Paul spent about three years there. R3157:3, 3159:2, 2207:2, 2206:3
For two years and three months St. Paul was actively engaged in the service of the truth at Ephesus. R4432:1
His stay of two years at Ephesus. R4420:3
Accompanied by Timothy, Erastus, Titus and possibly others. R3157:3
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| 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit. |
Have ye received – Paul perceived these men had none of the gifts of the spirit, then common to all believers. R5964:1, 4420:3, 3152:5
The holy Ghost – The usual evidences of that time--a power to speak with tongues, to heal, etc. R4420:3
He merely wished to bring to their attention the fact that such gifts were possible to them. R3152:5
Not so much as heard – They were deficient as respects the evidences of their discipleship. HG254:6
They were ignorant of the privileges of believers--of entire consecration and adoption as sons of God into the divine family, implied in the ordinance of baptism into Christ. R1558:1
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| 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. |
Unto John's baptism – Called by that name because John was the first one who used baptism. R5964:4
Applicable to Jews only, and never applicable to Gentiles. F428; PD56/69; HG600:2
Was to the Jews only, and signified the putting away of sins, and thus return to a condition of holiness and consecration already enjoyed. R2417:3, 2825:5; 732:5
Not original sin, but sins against the Jewish Law Covenant. R2825:5, 5964:1; HG732:5
By Apollos, who had not then been clearly informed as to the difference between the baptism of the Jews and that of the Gentiles. R5963:6, 2206:4; CR75:3
Apollos had explained the Gospel merely to the extent of repentance from sin and faith in Christ as the Redeemer. R3152:5; F428
There is a decided difference between John's baptism of repentance and Christ's baptism. 255:1
God would not recognize John's baptism for a Gentile. They had never been in covenant relationship with him. R5964:1
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| 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. |
Baptism of repentance – Unto repentance--reformation. R2565:2
The same now taught by the Disciples of Christ denomination. R1558:1, 2565:2, 2417:6; HG600:3
Was a special call to God's covenant people, to repent of their sins as a nation and as individuals, and to live up to their early covenant with the Lord. R1687:3, 2825:5
Never is it said of any Gentile that he was baptized unto repentance and remission of sins. HG255:2
Paul explained that their baptism was an improper one--that they as Gentiles required an immersion into Christ. CR75:3; OV240:7; R4420:5
On Christ Jesus – Repentance is a first and important step; but those who would make their calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10) to joint-heirship with Ch R1844:3
The Apostle instructed them more fully, assuring them that John's baptism was all right in its time and place, but that they should be baptized in the name of Jesus--baptized into Christ. 600:3
Paul opened the subject of the high calling of believers, probably in quite extended discourse, of which verse 4 must be understood as a mere synopsis. R1558:2
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| 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. |
When they heard – Being of proper and teachable spirit, they were not only willing but anxious to render obedience to every feature of the divine will. R2206:4
Baptized – A baptism of consecration, to be dead with him. A participation in his sufferings, and by and by in his glory. (Col. 1:26:27) R3152:6, 2565:3, 1942:2,3, 1917:4, 1687:3
As members of his Body, to fellowship in his sufferings, even unto death. R3152:6, 4420:5, 2417:3,5; CR75:4
Which our Lord and his apostles practiced and enjoined upon all followers. R1539:3, 2565:3
In the beginning of this age, certain miraculous gifts were withheld until the water baptism had been properly performed. R1540:4
Name of the Lord Jesus – Of entire consecration and full submission to the will of God. R1558:4, 1917:4
This brought them into full relationship with God. R5964:1
Christian baptism is only for believers in Christ--not for unbelievers, not for sinners. R2565:3
Signifies our introduction into the body of Christ as wild olive branches grafted into the approved stock, to be partakers of the richness of the Abrahamic promises through the root. (Rom. 6:3-5) R2931:4
Any Jew, seeking to come into Christ since the day of wrath upon his nation, could come in only under the same terms and conditions as a Gentile. R2931:5
It is our custom to use: "In the name (by the authority) of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit, I baptize thee into Christ." R445:5
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| 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. |
His hands upon them – Not to give them authority to preach, but to impart the gifts of the spirit. F284; R3153:1, 1957:4, 812:3*
Only the apostles had the power to communicate these gifts of the spirit. R1957:4
These gifts were necessary to the Church then in its incipient stage, for their assurance of faith and also for the world's recognition; but were not intended to be continued beyond the days of the Apostles. R1558:4
A witness in the infancy period of the church; until the New Testament writings should be within reach, and until the fruits of the spirit could be developed. R3153:1
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| 7 And all the men were about twelve. |
Twelve – Those whom Apollos' ministry had reached. R3152:5
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| 8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. |
The Kingdom of God – He did not stop to dispute heathendom nor Greek philosophers. R4420:6
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| 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. |
Hardened – To them the truth had an odor of death (2 Cor 2:16), self-sacrifice, contrary R4421:1
He departed – If the truth has no effect, its servants are not justified by any Scripture in intruding upon the rights of others. R1558:5
From them – Not from the city, which had not persecuted him, but from the synagogue. R4421:1
Separated – His advanced and clear teachings produced division among the Jews--the opposition of the unbelievers being very pronounced. R1558:4
Wherever truth is preached there is a division between those who respect God and his Word and those who deny the true God. R2206:5
It is better that sincere followers of Christ should meet by themselves than that they should meet with others whose opposition to the truth would make continual disturbance, or hinder advancement into further knowledge and grace. R2206:5
In the school – In a rented public hall, used in the forenoons as a school. R3157:3, 2206:5, 1558:4
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| 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. |
In Asia – From Ephesus, the Word of the Lord was carried to various cities of Asia Minor by the traveling public, including Jews and proselytes. R4421:1
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| 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: |
Special miracles – As an offset to the blinding influence of witchcraft, magic, black art, etc. R3158:1
The power of God was with him, whose manifestation was so different from the power which was with the workers of magic and incantations. R2206:6
Served as an endorsement of him as an apostle, and his message of Jesus. R3158:1, 1745:4, 1558:5
He exercised this gift of healing upon many, yet the Lord did not relieve him from his own weakness. (2 Cor. 12:7-9) R2118:3, 4433:4, 2006:6, 1689:4
We nevertheless appreciate still more highly as from the same source his gift of interpretation of the divine plan of the ages. R4421:2
By the hands of Paul – These demonstrations of divine power supplementing Paul's faithful use of his natural abilities were an endorsement of all he did. R1745:4
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| 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. |
Unto the sick – There is no record that the Lord or the Apostles ever healed the infirmities of the consecrated ones. Paul sent no napkin or handkerchief or anointing oil to Timothy when he was sick. R2364:6, 1689:4
We have no record of prayer for health by the apostles for themselves, except in the case of Paul (2 Cor. 12:7-9), and his request was not R2006:6, 4433:2,4, 1689:4
We also have various thorns in the flesh: difficulties, trials, some mental, some physical, some understood, others unknown, which the Lord does not remove, but permits for wise and loving purposes. R4433:5
Physical restitution is not the hope set before the "Little Flock." They might be agents of God in blessing others as was Paul, and yet like him suffer from maladies they were instrumental in curing in others. R749:4
Or aprons – Handkerchiefs and napkins which he had blessed, carried with them divine blessing and healing. R4433:2, 1689:4
The power of conferring those gifts was vested in the apostles only, hence they did "vanish away" when the apostles died. (1 Cor. 13:8) R1998:3
The evil spirits – Greek, pneuma; invisible spirit beings. E313
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| 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. |
Vagabond Jews, exorcists – The same wily arts of the adversary, were general throughout the Roman Empire. R3158:1
Had evil spirits – Greek, pneuma; invisible spirit beings. E313
Today such obsessed ones are styled insane and treated accordingly. R4421:4
The name of the Lord Jesus – Certain of the magicians essayed to use the name of Jesus as a charm or magic word. R3158:1
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| 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
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| 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? |
And the evil spirit – Greek, pneuma; a person, not a human propensity. E313; R2171:6
Answered – The Apostle recognized these mediums, not as the mediums of the dead, but as of the demons, the fallen angels. In conference with the apostles these demons never denied their own identity. F625
Jesus I know – Acknowledged Christ. R2014:1
They respected the true and opposed to the false. R1680:1
Notice the personality and intelligence attributed to these demons. R2171:6; HG725:5
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| 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. |
Leaped on them – Exercising through the possessed one demoniacal strength, the seven men were wounded and put to flight. R3158:2
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| 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. |
Was known to all – That the black arts were of Satan, while the Apostle's miracles were of divine power. R3158:2
Ephesus – Was a great city for magic, incantations, divinations, etc. R2206:5
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| 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. |
Many that believed – The light of divine truth is "the light of the world," which alone will be capable of dispelling the darkness of the Adversary. F625
And confessed – Confessed the truth, and publicly showed it in the reform of their conduct. R3158:3
Acknowledging that their works of magic were evil and from an evil source. R2207:1, 3158:3
Showed their deeds – They exposed the fact that many of their deeds were by occult or hidden power and injurious. R4421:4
Publicly showed the reform of their conduct. R3158:3
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| 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. |
Curious arts – Magic, the miraculous powers of evil spirits. R2207:1; F624
And burned them – The sincerity of some of the converts at Ephesus was manifested by the public burning of the books. R3158:6
They not only stopped the practice of the black art; they not only refused to use the books of magic; but they refused to sell to others, lest they should do injury to them. R4432:6, 4421:4, 3159:1,4, 2207:1,6
Everything throughout the Scriptures teaches that the Lord specially loves and appreciates those who are thorough-going, in their zeal for righteousness and truth, in their opposition to that which is unrighteous and erroneous. R3159:4, 4421:5
The destruction of the books, representing a considerable value, represented also a sacrificing condition of heart. R3159:1
50,000 pieces of silver – Since each piece of silver then represented a day's wages, it was equivalent to a very large sum, then and now. R3158:6, 2207:1
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| 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. |
So – Thus. R4421:5
God – Greek, kurios; Lord or Master. E70
And prevailed – Over the evil influences opposing it. R3159:4
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| 21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. |
In the spirit – Greek, pneuma; mind, will. E312
Must also see Rome – Little suspecting that he would be sent to Rome as a prisoner. R3159:2
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| 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. |
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| 23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. |
About that way – Evidently the way of the Lord's people differed decidedly from the ways of others. R3159:2
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| 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; |
Demetrius – An active opposer of Christianity, and a supporter of Diana. R3159:3
The leader of the riot. R3159:3
There are even today so many of the same disposition as Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen! Their opposition is inspired by the same selfish spirit. R3160:4, 2207:6
Who may afterwards have become an active Christian (3 John 12), even as Paul, the zealous persecutor of the church, became its zealous servant. R3159:3
A silversmith – The representative or head of the silversmith's guild or union. R4432:2, 3159:3
Silver shrines – The finest of the shrines, or miniature temples of Diana, were made in silver. R3159:3
Not only for the people of Ephesus, but for export to various other cities and provinces where Diana was worshiped. R3159:5
It was thought that a vessel going to sea must have on board a miniature shrine of Diana. R2206:6
Reminding us of the coming "Image of the Beast." (Rev. 13:14-17) R2207:6
Diana – The deity of Ephesus and Asia Minor. R4432:2
Those who wished for luck repeated certain words or prayers to Diana, and wore a charm or amulet marked with her likeness. Similarly, Roman Catholics may wear a scalpel blessed with prayers to the Virgin Mary, with holy water, masses, etc. R2206:6
Was merely the work of men's hands and not, as claimed, a divinity. R4433:1
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| 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. |
We have our wealth – The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim 6:10) and a frequent cause of o R2207:5, 4432:6
He pointed out to the workers that the progress of Christianity meant the destruction of their trades. R207:2
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| 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: |
Turned away much people – The depression was laid to the charge of Christianity. R2207:3
Demetrius pointed out to them that the progress of Christianity meant the destruction of their various trades. R2207:2
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| 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. |
Craft is in danger – A religious business. R2207:6
He painted a black picture of how prosperity would shortly die, as a result of the preaching of this man Paul. R4432:3
If the people lost their respect of Diana and her temple, they would no longer purchase the shrines. R3159:5
Still there are religious bigots who correspond to those shrine-makers to Diana, ready to incite the people against us because their craft is in danger. R958:1
The temple – One of the seven wonders of the world. R3160:1
Made of purest marble, 425 ft. long, 220 ft. broad; its columns of Parian marble were 60 feet high, 127 in number, 36 of them were magnificently carved; the hall adorned with the most wonderful statuary and paintings. R2206:3, 3160:1
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| 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. |
Full of wrath – They seemed to realize the ultimate discredit of Diana and ruin of their own business interests. R3159:5
Great is Diana – The less intelligent being easily aroused by this cry. R2207:2
Her blessing was supposed to greatly increase the flocks and herds, and the birth of children. R4432:2
Of the Ephesians – Just at the entrance of the harbor of Ephesus stood one of the "seven wonders of the world," an immense statue of Diana. R4432:2
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| 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. |
Filled with confusion – The whole city was in an uproar in the very tenderest spots, religion and worldly prosperity. R4432:3
Wherever the truth goes it has such an effect. The apostles preached the same Gospel which made a disturbance everywhere. R1633:3,4
Gaius and Aristarchus – Paul's co-laborers. R2207:3, 4432:6
Theatre – The coliseum, estimated to hold from 25,000 to 50,000 people. R3159:5, 2207:3, 2206:4
Whose capacity was 56,000 people, indicating that Ephesus must have been an immense city. R4432:4
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| 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. |
Would have entered – Would have courageously entered into the thick of the trouble in defense of his friends and in defense of his Master and his message. R4432:4, 2207:4
The disciples suffered him not – The Ephesian converts would not permit him, knowing better than he the vicious and unreasoning spirit of the superstitious lower classes of Ephesus. R2207:4[R2207]
Wiser counsels prevailed, and Paul remained away. R4432:4
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| 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. |
Would not adventure – Paul would have gone to reason with the mob; but leading men of the city cautioned him, in the interests of peace, not to do this. R3159:6
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| 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. |
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| 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. |
Alexander – Probably Alexander the coppersmith, (2 Tim. 4:14) previously a convert to Christianity, but at this time a believer again in Judaism. (1 Tim. 1:20) His object in speaking would no doubt have been to clear the Jews and bring all the wrath upon the Christians, on the ground that they were renegades. R2207:4[R2207]
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| 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. |
Two hours – Clearly manifesting the senselessness of their proceeding. R3159:6
Amongst Christians, some who have made little growth in grace and knowledge are content to spend hours in shouting or talking about that which has comparatively little meaning. R3159:6
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| 35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? |
The town clerk – Recorder or mayor. R3160:1
Manifesting a far better spirit than the Papacy would have done under similar circumstances. R330
Appeased the people – Now even more than then, the civil authorities protect our persons from violence. R958:1
Ye men of Ephesus – First, he appealed to their patriotic sentiments. R3160:1
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| 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. |
Do nothing rashly – Let us mind our own business and not allow ourselves to be unduly excited over a matter of no moment. R4432:5
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| 37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. |
Which are neither robbers – The town clerk's second argument was that these were not bad men. R3160:1
Nor yet blasphemers – It was not necessary for the Apostle to say one unkind word about Diana. His commission was to preach the good tidings. R4432:6
Similarly, it is not necessary for us to do or say a single unkind word or act towards our friends in Babylon. R4433:1
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| 38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. |
The law is open – His third argument was that this was a quarrel of Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen; and if any injustice had been perpetrated there was a proper channel of redress. R3160:2
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| 39 But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. |
Lawful assembly – The fourth argument was that they should bring their charges at the proper time, and in the lawful manner. R3160:4
The courts are open. While there were lawful assemblies provided for them, the present one was an unlawful one. R4432:5
The meeting was nothing short of a riot and if it were reported to the Roman authorities and an inquiry made of him, it would reflect to the discredit of the city. There might be danger of the city losing the privilege of being a "free city." R3160:4
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| 40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. |
This day's uproar – Persecutions were not so much opposition on the part of the governments as a result of uncontrollable popular clamor. B330
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| 41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. |
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