The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 128

Vers.1-i.-Practical sumplijication of Christian doctri11e. The principles involved in the case of Apollos might be lost sight of for lack of examples. He himself wa.s so distinguished. The Church needed to be taught by a more prominent and wider illus- tration. The distinctions insisted on by Paul essential to Christianity. Hence the whole episode of the appearance of Apollos on the scene ordered providentially. Paul's journey through Upper Asia to Ephesus possibly hastened by his desire to watch ornr the spiritual work there. The gift of the Holy Ghost not a mere endowment, but a sea.I upon the faith as faith in Christ and his spiritual kingdom; it betokened an entire change of position and of life. The twelve disciples, probably converts of Apollos, were s;;ill occupying a Judaistic position, believing in Jesus, but only as John preached him. Their public baptism into the Name of the Lord Jesus was a. publio renunciation of their old standing as Jew11 and their acceptance of the higher platform of the spiritual kingdom. The gifts poured out on them and exercised by them was a glorious testimony t,, Christ in Ephesns. Leam- L THE SUPREMACY OF TIIE GOSPEL. 1. To Judaism. 2. To reformed Judaism wit.h the new hopes revived in it by John. 3. To mere mora.l change and reformation of life. II. THE PRACTICAL POWER OF A TRUE FAITH. '!'hose that believed as Paul would have them believe became, not only spiritual men, but preachers. The faith which c,·angelizes is not a cold assent to truth, not a mere principle of religious reverence and Jrder regulating the individual life, not a mere setting of Christ on the throne of tho intellect as the highest Teacher, but a faith which works by love through the energy of thr Spirit bestowed. They believe, and therefore speak. '£he test of true faith is its aggressive tendency. 'l'hat which sits at home is paralyzed.-R. Vers. S--20 (or ver. 20).-Triumphs of tlie gospel at Ephesu,. Asiatic character of the superstitions prevalent. Dark, degraded, mysterious. Amulets and charms. Magical words. Ex.orcism. Not merely among the lower classes, but throughout the city. A dead man sa.id to have spoken from the funl:lral pile. A wrestler with magic scroll rnund his body always victorious. Magic an elaborate, abstruse, difficult science, con- tained in learned books, studied for many years. Notice, therefore- !. THE PECULUR G.B.A.CIOUS:t.'ESS of the miracles wrought at Ephesus, as speaking so lo..idly against the prevalent superstitions. 1. As showing forth a greater power than was dr=ed of amongst men. 2 . .AB connecting the working of signs with the messages r,f 'fr.ercy. Paul disclaimed all power of his own, and simply invited faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 3, .AB rel>'Uking and dishonouring the falsehoods and presumptions of those who were enslaving the people. 4. As revealing the benevolence and phi- lanthropy of the gospel in. distinction from the selfish and sordid practices of those who used sorcery for their own profit. IL THE l'llABVELLOUB SPIRITUAL POWEB PUT FORTH. The whole neighbourhood ringing with the fame of the miracles and with the story of the gospel. 1. The special difficulty of effecting a change in such men. Their interests involved. Their pride woundad. Their ignorance and self-deception binding them fast. 2. The vastness of the change wrought. The burning of the books, their very means of livelihood. The value great-two thousand pounds sterling. 'l'he publicity of the act ma.de it irrevocable. 3. '!'he widespread influence of such a testimony, more than words, more than personal confession. It would preach the gospel to all .A.Bia. 4. The beneficent effect on the future of the people in delivering them from the entanglement of magical superstitions, and so leaving them open to the preaching of the gospel "Fear fell upon them all, and the Na.me of the Lord Jesus wa.s magnified" (cf. the similar event at Florence under the preaching of Savonarola).-R. OJI, XIX, 1-41.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 131