grieved because of the dissension in the church at Corinth； he took no
advantage of the preference shown to himself； nor did he encourage it； but
hastily left the field of strife。 When Paul afterward urged him to revisit
Corinth； he declined and did not again labor there until long afterward when
the church had reached a better spiritual state。
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Chapter 27
Ephesus
While Apollos was preaching at Corinth； Paul fulfilled his promise to return
to Ephesus。 He had made a brief visit to Jerusalem and had spent some time
at Antioch； the scene of his early labors。 Thence he traveled through Asia
Minor； 〃over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia〃 （Acts 18：23）； visiting
the churches which he himself had established； and strengthening the faith
of the believers。
In the time of the apostles the western portion of Asia Minor was known as
the Roman province of Asia。 Ephesus； the capital； was a great commercial
center。 Its harbor was crowded with shipping； and its streets were thronged
with people from every country。 Like Corinth； it presented a promising field
for missionary effort。
The Jews； now widely dispersed in all civilized lands； were generally
expecting the advent of the Messiah。 When John
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the Baptist was preaching； many； in their visits to Jerusalem at the annual
feasts； had gone out to the banks of the Jordan to listen to him。 There they
had heard Jesus proclaimed as the Promised One； and they had carried the
tidings to all parts of the world。 Thus had Providence prepared the way for
the labors of the apostles。
On his arrival at Ephesus； Paul found twelve brethren； who； like Apollos；
had been disciples of John the Baptist； and like him had gained some
knowledge of the mission of Christ。 They had not the ability of Apollos； but
with the same sincerity and faith they were seeking to spread abroad the
knowledge they had received。
These brethren knew nothing of the mission of the Holy Spirit。 When asked by
Paul if they had received the Holy Ghost； they answered； 〃We have not so
much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost。〃 〃Unto what then were ye
baptized？〃 Paul inquired； and they said； 〃Unto John's baptism。〃
Then the apostle set before them the great truths that are the foundation of
the Christian's hope。 He told them of Christ's life on this earth and of His
cruel death of shame。 He told them how the Lord of life had broken the
barriers of the tomb and risen triumphant over death。 He repeated the
Saviour's commission to His disciples： 〃All power is given unto Me in heaven
and in earth。 Go ye therefore； and teach all nations； baptizing them in the
name of the Father； and of the Son； and of the Holy Ghost。〃 Matthew 28：18；
19。 He told them also of Christ's promise to send the Comforter； through
whose power mighty signs and
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wonders would be wrought； and he described how gloriously this promise had
been fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost。
With deep interest and grateful； wondering joy the brethren listened to
Paul's words。 By faith they grasped the wonderful truth of Christ's atoning
sacrifice and received Him as their Redeemer。 They were then baptized in the
name of Jesus； and as Paul 〃laid his hands upon them；〃 they received also
the baptism of the Holy Spirit； by which they were enabled to speak the
languages of other nations and to prophesy。 Thus they were qualified to
labor as missionaries in Ephesus and its vicinity and also to go forth to
proclaim the gospel in Asia Minor。
It was by cherishing a humble； teachable spirit that these men gained the
experience that enabled them to go out as workers into the harvest field。
Their example presents to Christians a lesson of great value。 There are many
who make but little progress in the divine life because they are too
self…sufficient to occupy the position of learners。 They are content with a
superficial knowledge of God's word。 They do not wish to change their faith
or practice and hence make no effort to obtain greater light。
If the followers of Christ were but earnest seekers after wisdom； they would
be led into rich fields of truth as yet wholly unknown to them。 He who will
give himself fully to God will be guided by the divine hand。 He may be lowly
and apparently ungifted； yet if with a loving； trusting heart he obeys every
intimation of God's will； his powers will be purified； ennobled； energized；
and his capabilities will be increased。 As he treasures the lessons of
divine wisdom； a
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sacred commission will be entrusted to him； he will be enabled to make his
life an honor to God and a blessing to the world。 〃The entrance of Thy words
giveth light； it giveth understanding unto the simple。〃 Psalm 119：130。
There are today many as ignorant of the Holy Spirit's work upon the heart as
were those believers in Ephesus； yet no truth is more clearly taught in the
word of God。 Prophets and apostles have dwelt upon this theme。 Christ
Himself calls our attention to the growth of the vegetable world as an
illustration of the agency of His Spirit in sustaining spiritual life。 The
sap of the vine； ascending from the root； is diffused to the branches；
sustaining growth and producing blossoms and fruit。 So the life…giving power
of the Holy Spirit； proceeding from the Saviour； pervades the soul； renews
the motives and affections； and brings even the thoughts into obedience to
the will of God； enabling the receiver to bear the precious fruit of holy
deeds。
The Author of this spiritual life is unseen； and the exact method by which
that life is imparted and sustained； it is beyond the power of human
philosophy to explain。 Yet the operations of the Spirit are always in
harmony with the written word。 As in the natural； so in the spiritual world。
The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power； yet it is
not sustained by a direct miracle； but through the use of blessings placed
within our reach。 So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those
means that Providence has supplied。 If the follower of Christ would grow up
〃unto a perfect man； unto the measure of the stature of the
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fullness of Christ〃 （Ephesians 4：13）； he must eat of the bread of life and
drink of the water of salvation。 He must watch and pray and work； in all
things giving heed to the instructions of God in His word。
There is still another lesson for us in the experience of those Jewish
converts。 When they received baptism at the hand of John they did not fully
comprehend the mission of Jesus as the Sin Bearer。 They were holding serious
errors。 But with clearer light； they gladly accepted Christ as their
Redeemer； and with this step of advance came a change in their obligations。
As they received a purer faith； there was a corresponding change in their
life。 In token of this change； and as an acknowledgment of their faith in
Christ； they were rebaptized in the name of Jesus。
As was his custom； Paul had begun his work at Ephesus by preaching in the
synagogue of the Jews。 He continued to labor there for three months；
〃disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God。〃 At
first he met with a favorable reception； but as in other fields； he was soon
violently opposed。 〃Divers were hardened； and believed not； but spake evil
of that way before the multitude。〃 As they persisted in their rejection of
the gospel； the apostle ceased to preach in the synagogue。
The Spirit of God had wrought with and through Paul in his labors for his
countrymen。 Sufficient evidence had been presented to convince all who
honestly desired to know the truth。 But many permitted themselves to be
controlled by prejudice and unbelief； and refused to yield
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to the most conclusive evidence。 Fearing that the faith of the believers
would be endangered by continued association with these opposers of the
truth； Paul separated from them and gathered the disciples into a distinct
body； continuing his public instructions in the school of Tyrannus； a
teacher of some note。
Paul saw that 〃a great door and effectual〃 was opening before him； although
there were 〃many adversaries。〃
1 Corinthians 16：9。 Ephesus was not only the most
magnificent； but the most corrupt； of the cities of Asia。 Superstition and
sensual pleasure held sway over her teeming population。 Under the shadow of
her temples； criminals of every grade found shelter； and the most degrading
vices flourished。
Ephesus was a popular center for the worship of Diana。 The fame of the
magnificent temple of 〃Diana of the Ephesians〃 extended throughout all Asia
and the world。 Its surpassing splendor made it the pride； not only of the
city； but of the nation。 The idol within the temple was declared by
tradition to have fallen from the sky。 Upon it were inscribed symbolic
characters； which were believed to possess great power。 Books had been
written by the Ephesians to explain the meaning and use of these symbols。
Among those who gave close study to these costly books were many magicians；
who wielded a powerful influence over the minds of the superstitious
worshipers of the image within the temple。
The apostle Paul； in his labors at Ephesus； was given special tokens of
divine favor。 The power of God accompanied his efforts； and many were healed
of physical
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maladies。 〃God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul： 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。〃 These
manifestations of supernatural power were far more potent than had ever
before been witnessed in Ephesus； and were of such a character that they
could not be imitated by the skill of the juggler or the enchantments of the
sorcerer。 As these miracles were wrought in the name of Jesus of Nazareth；
the people had opportunity to see that the God of heaven was more powerful
t