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| 1 And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper districts, 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 to them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye had believed? And they said to him, We did not even hear if the Holy Spirit was come. |
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, To what then were ye baptised? And they said, To the baptism of John. |
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 And Paul said, John indeed baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on him that was coming after him, that is, on 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 And when they heard that, they were baptised to 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 Paul having laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
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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 entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly during three months, reasoning 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 some were hardened and disbelieved, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, he left them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of 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 took place for two years, so that all that inhabited Asia heard the word of the Lord, 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 no ordinary 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 even napkins or aprons were brought from his body and put upon the sick, and the diseases left them, and the wicked spirits went out. |
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 And certain of the Jewish exorcists also, who went about, took in hand to call upon those who had wicked spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches. |
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 certain men, seven sons of Sceva, Jewish high priest, who were doing this. |
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| 15 But the wicked spirit answering said to them, Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; but *ye*, 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 wicked spirit was leaped upon them, and having mastered both, 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 became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who inhabited Ephesus, and fear fell upon all of them, 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 of those that believed came confessing and declaring 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 And many of those that practised curious arts brought their books of charms and burnt them before all. And they reckoned up the prices 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 Thus with might the word of the Lord increased 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 And when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, After I have been there I must see Rome also. |
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 And having sent into Macedonia two of those ministering to him, Timotheus and Erastus, he remained himself awhile in Asia. |
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| 23 And there took place at that time no small disturbance about the 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 by name Demetrius, a silver-beater, making silver temples of Artemis, brought no small gain to the artisans; |
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 having brought together, and those who wrought in such things, he said, Men, ye know that our well-living arises from this work, |
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 and ye see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great crowd, not only of Ephesus, but almost of all Asia, saying that they are 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 Now not only there is danger for us that our business come into discredit, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be counted for nothing, and that her greatness should be destroyed whom the whole of Asia and the world reveres. |
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 having heard this, and being filled with rage, they cried out, saying, Great is Artemis 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 they rushed with one accord to the theatre, having seized and carried off with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travellers of Paul. |
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 But Paul intending to go in to 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 some of the Asiarchs also, who were his friends, sent to him and urged him not to throw 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 Different persons therefore cried out some different thing; for the assembly was tumultuous, and the most did not know for what cause they had come together. |
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| 33 But from among the crowd they put forward Alexander, the Jews pushing him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand, would have made a defence to 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, recognising that he was a Jew, there was one cry from all, shouting for about two hours, Great is Artemis 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 the townclerk, having quieted the crowd, said, Ephesians, what man is there then who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of Artemis the great, and of the image which fell down from heaven? |
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 These things therefore being undeniable, it is necessary that ye should be calm and do nothing headlong. |
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 these men, who are neither temple-plunderers, nor speak injuriously 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 If therefore Demetrius and the artisans who are with him have a matter against any one, the courts are being held, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse 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 anything concerning other matters, it will be settled in the regular 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 also we are in danger to be put in accusation for sedition for this affair of to-day, no cause existing in reference to which we shall be able to give a reason for 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 having said these things, he dismissed the assembly. |
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