LESSON XXXIV. Out of Darkness into Light. Read Acts xviii. 19–28; xix. 1-10. Learn Gen. i. 3; 2 Cor. iv. 6. 1. In Journeyings often (ch. xviii. 19-23). A few days' sail from Cenchrea, and S. Paul's vessel cast anchor in the famous harbour of Ephesus, then the great centre of the trade of the Mediterranean, but now a region of desolation. In S. Paul's time, Ephesus was by far the busiest and most populous city in Asia Minor. It lay at the meeting-point of great roads, commanding easy access to the whole continent. Its markets were filled with the produce of the whole world, gold and silver and precious stones, fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet-all manner of vessels of ivory, and precious wood and marble-odours, and ointment, and frankincense-all the long list of costly luxuries enumerated by S. John (Rev. xviii. 12, 13) were familiar objects in this wealthy city at that time. Aquila and Priscilla had probably business connections with Ephesus which caused them to end their journey here. Though his visit on this occasion was but a passing one, S. Paul sought out his own people as soon as he arrived. No amount of persecution from his fellow-countrymen could lessen his zeal to make known to them the glad news of salvation. His message was, on this occasion, received without opposition, the Jews even pressing him to stay longer with them. This, however, he refused to do, on account of his anxiety to pay his vow at Jerusalem at the approaching feast of Pentecost, and he bade them farewell, promising to return shortly, if it should be God's will. Landing at Cesarea, he hastened to Jerusalem, which he entered for the fourth time after his conversion. Very interesting must that visit of the great Apostle of the Gentiles have been to the Church at Jerusalem, and fervent must have been their acts of praise and thanksgivings, as they listened to the story of the gradual extension of CHRIST'S Kingdom, and the founding of Churches, not only in Asia, but in the important European cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth. Not many days of spiritual refreshment did the great Apostle allow himself at Jerusalem. He was eager to start on his third great missionary tour, and therefore went on to Antioch, from whence he passed once more through the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, visiting the different Churches he had planted, and confirming them in the faith. (It appears from S. Paul's Epistles, that it was during this visit to the Church in Galatia that he established the weekly offertory there (1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2), and also found it necessary to address serious warnings to that fickle race who had received him so warmly, but who were already showing signs of a disaffected spirit (Gal. iv. 16-18).) 2. Apollos the eloquent Rabbi (ch. xviii. 24–28). Amony the many whom business or pleasure had brought to Ephesus was Apollos, a learned Jewish Rabbi from Alexandria. Years ago perhaps, when 'Jerusalem and all Judea' were going forth to the wilderness, to hear from the lips of S. John Baptist the announcement of the coming Messiah, Apollos may have been one in that multitude. He had been baptized with the baptism of John, and was 'instructed in the way of the LORD,' learned in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, full of zeal in proclaiming CHRIST as the Messiah, and gifted with great eloquence. Yet, though he could point to JESUS as the Lamb of GOD which taketh away the sin of the world (S. John i. 29), and was probably acquainted with the facts of His Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension, he knew nothing as yet of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost, nothing of that close union with GOD into which men are brought by baptism, the means by which alone we can enter CHRIST's Kingdom, and be made partakers of that salvation which He has purchased for us. The power and courage with which he spoke, attracted the notice of Priscilla and Aquila. They invited him to their house, and 'expounded unto him the way of GOD more perfectly.' The learned Rabbi was not too proud to receive instruction from the humble tent-maker and his wife, and after being baptized into CHRIST, he went over into Greece, taking with him letters of commendation to the Corinthian Elders, and becoming a pillar of strength to the brethren there (1 Cor. iii. 5, 22). 3. The First Ordination at Ephesus (ch. xix. 1-10). By the time S. Paul arrived at Ephesus, Apollos had left for Corinth; but before his further instruction by Aquila and Priscilla he appears to have converted twelve disciples, who, like himself, were ignorant of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. They had been baptized as a token of their repentance, like the Jews in S. John Baptist's time, but they had not received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which could only be obtained through that baptism into the Name of the Holy Trinity which CHRIST Himself ordained (S. Matt. xxviii. 19). To these twelve disciples, S. Paul explained the fuller doctrine of Christian baptism, and after baptizing them into the name of the LORD JESUS, he laid his hands upon them, and the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied.' Thus was the Church founded at Ephesus. All that Aquila and Priscilla had done was a work of preparation. No Church could properly be founded until the arrival of an Apostle, for none but an Apostle could, by laying on of hands, impart those spiritual gifts which were essential to the organisation of a Church. These twelve men, endued with extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, were the nucleus of those Ephesian presbyters (or priests) whom S. Paul afterwards gathered round him at Miletus (ch. xx. 17). Very memorable were to be the results of this visit to Ephesus. The Roman capital of Asia Minor was chosen by GOD to be the third startingpoint of Christianity, and to take a leading part in its full development under S. John the beloved Apostle. For three months after his arrival, in accordance with his usual plan, S. Paul constantly resorted to the synagogue, arguing and reasoning with the Jews, and trying to persuade them to acknowledge JESUS as the Messiah. But when they not only refused to be persuaded, but also tried to hinder others, speaking evil of the Christian religion before the multitude, S. Paul departed from them, and separated his Christian followers from the Jews. As their numbers were now considerable, he hired the school of Tyrannus, and there the little band of Christians met for daily worship. That three years' ministry (ch. xx. 31) must indeed have been a blessed time for Ephesus. We can see the great Apostle of the Gentiles toiling day after day, as at Corinth, at his tent-making, and yet finding time to go from street to street, and from house to house, 'warning every one night and day with tears-serving the LORD with all humility of mind'—keeping back nothing that was profitable to his converts to know—declaring unto them the whole counsel of GOD, and persevering in these labours for three years, notwithstanding the trials and temptations which beset him on every side, and the determined opposition of the Jews (ch. xx. 17-31). Lessons to be drawn from the Narrative :- 1. Ephesus was a highly privileged Church. Yet, though founded by S. Paul, nurtured by S. Timothy, presided over for many years by the beloved Apostle, honoured with a special message of warning and encouragement from the great Head of the Church (Rev. ii. 1-7), that once flourishing Church has long been extinct, her love died away, her candlestick was removed. As it is with Churches, so is it with individuals. The highest spiritual privileges will but increase our condemnation, if we are unfaithful and our love grows cold. Our privileges and opportunities will be taken from us and given to those who will make a better use of them. 2. We should pray often for the Church in our own land, that her candlestick may never be removed, that she may guard with watchful, jealous care the precious deposit of the Faith once delivered unto the Saints, and faithfully fulfil the mission entrusted to her. 'JESU, with Thy Church abide, Be her Saviour, LORD, and Guide, 'May she holy triumphs win, We beseech Thee, hear us.' 3. Darkness stands for three things in Holy Scripture 'ignorance' (Eph. iv. 18), 'sin' (Eph. v. 8, 11; Rom. xiii. 12), 'misery' (S. Matt. xxv. 30). JESUS CHRIST, the Sun of Righteousness, came to turn this darkness into light. We must walk as children of light, casting off the works of darkness, those sins which we renounced in our baptism, and do all we can to spread the light of the Christian Faith among the ignorant and sinful, both at home and in heathen countries. |