The faithful labors of Paul in the synagogue of the Jews and the room of Tyrannus, the unusually extensive employment of the miraculous, and the discomfiture of the exorcists suggest to us -

I. THAT THE SUPERNATURAL IS TO BE SUBORDINATED TO THE SPIRITUAL. (Vers. 8-12.) We remember how our Lord refused to gratify the unworthy craving for signs and wonders in his day: "There shall no sign be given to this generation" (Mark 8:12); repeatedly he discouraged the demand for the miraculous, because it interfered with the teaching of truth, and so with the furtherance of his spiritual work. We find Paul making comparatively little of these great "gifts;" his chronicler does not enlarge on them, but disposes of them in very few words, no doubt reproducing and reflecting thus the mind of the apostle; he himself does not make a single allusion to them in his address to the eiders at Miletus (Acts 20.); he disparages rather than magnifies their importance in his Epistles (2 Corinthians 13., 14.). We are led to feel that the "special miracles wrought by the hands of Paul" are of very secondary value, as compared (ver. 11) with his diligence in persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God" (ver. 8), and with his enterprise and zeal in so acting that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks" (ver. 10). We need not sigh for departed times when the gospel had some sanctions and supports which it has not now. All that is of first importance, all that is truly redemptive and Divine, abides with the Church of Christ, and will remain for ever.

1. The knowledge of the living and saving truth.

2. The love of it, and joy in it.

3. The privilege of making it known.

4. The accessibility of those heavenly influences which make it powerful and efficacious to our own hearts and to the souls of those whom we address.

II. THAT THE NATURAL CANNOT DO THE SPECIAL WORK or THE SPIRITUAL. These exorcists (ver. 13) had probably been so far successful that they had induced their fellow-citizens to believe that in them resided a strange power over the insane or the possessed. But when they used the name of Jesus in order to effect their object, they failed signally and disgracefully. In this respect they are types of those who attempt to do God's work without Divine weapons. Only the spiritual can do spiritual work. It is true that unspiritual men may

(1) understand much of the Divine thought;

(2) speak what they know with skill and force;

(3) assume a sacred tone and spirit, and may affect men by that assumption;

(4) maintain for years a reputation for devotion and usefulness. But it is also true that

(1) if any spiritual result should follow, it will be through the overruling power of God, - it will not be their work, in any true sense;

(2) no considerable or permanent results will follow, - such unreal conditions will not stand the test of time;

(3) there will come exposure and humiliation, either here or hereafter. Wherefore let us honor the spiritual as that which is the one true, abiding Divine power. Let us:

(1) Welcome to our heart the first teachings and leadings of the Divine Spirit.

(2) Establish our whole life on the basis of the spiritual; live and walk "in the Spirit," as those who realize that outward shows are as nothing to the great spiritual realities.

(3) Do the work of God with spiritual weapons; not attempting to build up the kingdom of God by bodily benefits, political economies, or human philosophies. These have their place and their work, as handmaids and auxiliaries, and are by no means to be despised. But the Christian minister must make men "hear the words of the Lord Jesus," must speak of those things which distinctively "concern the kingdom of God;" he must utter specially Christian doctrine, and look for positively Divine influence. - C.

I. WONDERFUL PREACHING.

1. Manner of the preaching.

(1)It was bold (Acts 4:31; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philippians 1:14).

(2)It was logical (Acts 18:19; Acts 28:23; Jude 1:3).

2. Rejection of the preaching.

(1)Hard hearts (Exodus 8:15; Mark 6:52; 2 Timothy 1:15).

(2)Evil speech (Acts 28:22; 2 Peter 2:2; Jude 1:10; Luke 2:34).

3. Extent of the preaching: "Two years; so that all...in Asia heard."

4. Lessons:

(1)Be bold. Christ's servants must always be reverent, but they should never flinch.

(2)Be logical. If the subject of the prayer meeting is home missions, don't speak fifteen minutes on the desirability of Christian contentment.

(3)Be earnest. Better than grace in speech, or eloquence, or polish, or anything else, or everything else, is a downright, unflinching earnestness.

(4)Be patient. Paul was contented to teach his Bible class every day for two years, and he would have kept at it till he died, even though no results appeared, if God had so willed it.

(5)Be hopeful. From the little mission school you have organised at Ephesus mighty Christianising influences may perchance steal out by ways unknown to you into the great outlying wicked Christless Asia.

(6)Be trustful. Speak the word; sow the seed; point the way. So surely as God is God, your work shall not be wasted.

II. WONDERFUL HEALING.

1. Righteous miracles performed.

(1)Removing diseases (Matthew 8:15; Luke 9:1; Acts 2:43; Acts 5:16).

(2)Casting out evil spirits (Matthew 12:22; Mark 6:13; Luke 10:17; Luke 8:29; Acts 16:18).

2. Unrighteous miracles attempted.

(1)The would be agents (Deuteronomy 18:20; Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:5; 2 Corinthians 11:13).

(2)The proposed means.

(3)The results.

3. Lessons: The Great Physician —

(1)Alike of worn-out bodies and of sin-sick souls, is God.

(2)Generally uses human instrumentalities when He would renew the life of soul or body.

(3)Does not countenance quackery in either bodily or spiritual healing.

(4)Blesses the work of those who truly and unselfishly labour in His name.

(5)Will terribly recompense those who borrow His name for unhallowed purposes of gain.

(6)Will heal you. Are you unwilling, or is there nothing wrong in your spiritual life?

(7)Is your only hope. Beware of the little physicians and the quacks.

III. WONDERFUL REPENTING.

1. Moved to repentance.

(1)Fearing (Joshua 24:14; Psalm 64:9; Luke 1:65; Acts 5:11).

(2)Glorifying (Philippians 1:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:12; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 5:12).

2. Repentance (Matthew 3:6; Romans 10:10; 2 Corinthians 7:9; 1 John 1:9).

3. Fruits of repentance.

(1)In purified lives (Genesis 35:4; Exodus 22:20; Deuteronomy 7:25; Luke 14:26; Hebrews 10:34).

(2)In the spread of the truth.

4. Lessons:

(1)When the wonders of God's healing providence are revealed, well may the people be astonished.

(2)When the greatness of God's might is made known, well may the people fear.

(3)When the fear of God has entered, then must the evil in the heart be confessed and driven out.

(4)When the fear of God has entered the heart, straightway cometh the love that casteth out fear.

(5)When the love of God has filled the heart, there is no room for old money-making rubbish to cumber up the precious space.

(6)When the love of God comes in, the hate of God goes out forever.

(7)When the love of God has filled one heart, it seeks to flow through that to others. Blessed they through whose hearts it flows unhindered!

(S. S. Times.)

1. Preaching the truth (vers. 8-10).

2. Proving the truth (vers. 11, 12).

3. Perverting the truth (vers. 13-16).

4. Practising the truth (vers. 17-20).

(A. F. Schauffler.)

What this was we gather from the context, from the valedictory address at Miletus, and from the Epistle to the Ephesians. The apostle proclaimed —

I. THE GOSPEL AS A TRUE, DIVINE, AND SAVING REVELATION (Ephesians 1:13).

1. It was not a new opinion or system; it was the word of truth. As such the apostle proclaimed it; not as its originator, but simply as its herald. He told it because he had been commissioned to tell it; and not in fragments or in shapes of growing clearness and symmetry, but at once in all its fulness and perfection. It is truth; therefore accept it, and live by it. If you refuse it, it is at the peril of your souls.

2. For it is not only truth, but gospel — good news, of which salvation is the theme. Men cannot know what the salvation is till they feel what the danger is; and that danger is beyond description — the guilt and misery of sin — guilt that man cannot expiate, and misery out of which he can by no effort or sorcery charm himself. Must it not, then, be good news to hear of deliverance?

II. CHRIST AS THE ONE THEME IN THIS WORD OF TRUTH AND THE ONE AGENT IN THIS SALVATION. The vagabond Jews used as their spell, "Jesus, whom Paul preacheth." They characterised his preaching by this, and truly. He preached Jesus — no one but Jesus; the same in the school of Tyrannus as it had been in the synagogue, the same at his second visit as at his first.

1. As the one Saviour, able and willing to save.

2. As Master, presenting a perfect example, and giving ability to copy it.

3. As Judge.

4. As the Reconciler of Jew and Gentile, and of both to God (Ephesians 2:14-16).

5. As the chief Cornerstone which unites and sustains the Church (Ephesians 2:20-21).

III. REPENTANCE TOWARDS GOD AND FAITH TOWARDS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (Acts 20:21).

1. Repentance is that state of heart which every sinner ought to cherish before God, whose law he has broken, and whose sentence he has merited. To feel sin, to mourn over it, to confess it without reserve or apology, to hate it, to forsake it, and in God's name and strength to follow after holiness. Evangelical contrition is very different from selfish despair, and from "the sorrow of the world which worketh death," for it is the first pulsation of life.

2. Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ — faith resting on Him as its one object; for Christ is not Saviour to anyone in reality till He be believed in. Faith is thus the cardinal or distinctive grace, and the want of it is fatal. Up till the first moment of faith no saving change is produced on the heart.

3. Repentance and faith were his twin doctrines — repentance towards God, as He it is who loved us, though we so heinously sinned against Him; and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, as He it is who, bearing the penalty, is "the propitiation through faith in His blood." For repentance and faith are united closely — repentance conditioned by faith, and faith urged and necessitated by repentance.

IV. THE NECESSITY OF HOLINESS AND ITS CONNECTION WITH HEAVEN AS THE PREPARATION FOR IT (Ephesians 4:20-24; Ephesians 5:5). When among them he had insisted on purity of heart and life, on entire renovation, the putting off of the old man, renewal in the spirit of the mind, and the assumption of the new man. This purity is called learning Christ and obedience to the truth "as the truth is in Jesus." And he says, "Ye know" it — ye know what holiness and unworldliness are incumbent upon you as expectants of glory. For Christ is Master as well as Saviour, the object of imitation as well as the object of faith. The design of His death is to bring man back to his primeval state — "righteousness and true holiness." The sins which the apostle censures in the Ephesian Church are yet far from uncommon among us. Intemperance, for example — how many jocular and palliative names are given to it; and impurity — what neutral, nay, graceful terms have been coined to cover its baseness! But Christ's authority interposes, and we dare not tamper with sin; the purity of heaven is before us, and we must be made meet for it.

(Prof. Eadie.)

Alexander, Apollos, Aristarchus, Demetrius, Diana, Ephesians, Erastus, Gaius, John, Jupiter, Macedonians, Paul, Sceva, Timotheus, Timothy, TyrannusAchaia, Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Macedonia, RomeAfterwards, Arguing, Boldly, Carried, Concern, Continued, Conviction, Disputing, During, Entered, Entering, Explaining, Fear, Fearlessly, Kingdom, Months, Period, Persuading, Persuasively, Pleading, Preach, Preaching, Reasoning, Reign, Space, Spake, Speaking, Spoke, Synagogue, Teaching, Truths1. The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands.
8. The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.
13. The Jewish exorcists,
16. are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit.
19. Conjuring books are burnt.
21. Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35. which is appeased by the town clerk.

Acts 19:8

     2376   kingdom of God, coming
     7712   convincing
     7751   persuasion
     7756   preaching, content
     8202   boldness
     8654   importunity, to people

Acts 19:1-12

     5108   Paul, life of

Acts 19:8-9

     2426   gospel, responses
     5893   insults
     6245   stubbornness
     7456   synagogue
     7797   teaching
     8497   witnessing, approaches

Acts 19:8-10

     5842   eloquence
     7703   apologetics
     8220   courage, facing enemies

Acts 19:8-12

     8427   evangelism, kinds of

Would-Be Exorcists
'...Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?' --ACTS xix. 15. These exorcists had no personal union with Jesus. To them He was only 'Jesus whom Paul preached.' They spoke His name tentatively, as an experiment, and imitatively. To command 'in the name of Jesus' was an appeal to Jesus to glorify His name and exert His power, and so when the speaker had no real faith in the name or the power, there was no answer, because there was really no appeal. I. The only power which can cast out the evil …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Two Fruitful Years
'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. 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Fight with Wild Beasts at Ephesus
'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. 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. 23. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Whitsunday.
Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? It appears, by what follows these words, that the question here related especially to those gifts of the Holy Ghost which were given, in the first age of the church, as a sign of God's power, and a witness that the work of the gospel was from God. Yet although this be so, and therefore the words, in this particular sense, cannot to any good purpose be asked now; yet there is another sense, and that not a lower but a far higher one, in which we …
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity.
THE investigation of that important and extensive subject which includes what have been usually designated as The Evidences of Revelation,' has prescriptively occupied a considerable space in the field of theological literature, especially as cultivated in England. There is scarcely one, perhaps, of our more eminent divines who has not in a greater or less degree distinguished himself in this department, and scarcely an aspirant for theological distinction who has not thought it one of the surest …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
On this third journey he was already planning to go to Rome (Acts 19:21) and wrote an epistle to the Romans announcing his coming (Rom. 1:7, 15). +The Chief City+, in which Paul spent most of his time (Acts 19:1, 8, 10), between two and three years upon this journey, was Ephesus in Asia Minor. This city situated midway between the extreme points of his former missionary journeys was a place where Ephesus has been thus described: "It had been one of the early Greek colonies, later the capital …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Pastoral Epistles.
Comp. § 33, pp. 327-329. Contents. The three Pastoral Epistles, two to Timothy and one to Titus, form a group by themselves, and represent the last stage of the apostle's life and labors, with his parting counsels to his beloved disciples and fellow-workers. They show us the transition of the apostolic church from primitive simplicity to a more definite system of doctrine and form of government. This is just what we might expect from the probable time of their composition after the first Roman …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Whether Baptism May be Reiterated?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism may be reiterated. For Baptism was instituted, seemingly, in order to wash away sins. But sins are reiterated. Therefore much more should Baptism be reiterated: because Christ's mercy surpasses man's guilt. Objection 2: Further, John the Baptist received special commendation from Christ, Who said of him (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women, a greater than John the Baptist." But those whom John had baptized were baptized again, according …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
Work on in hope; the plough, the sickle wield; Thy Master is the harvest's Master too; He gives the golden seed, He owns the field, And does Himself what His true servants do. I take up again the all-important subject of Pastoral Visitation, for the same sort of informal and fragmentary treatment as that attempted in the last chapter, and with the same feeling that the subject is practically inexhaustible. LET THE VISITOR BE A TEACHER, WATCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES. One object which the visitor will …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christ's Exaltation
'Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, &c.' Phil 2:2. We have before spoken of Christ's humiliation; we shall now speak of his exaltation. Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse, and shining in its full glory. Wherefore God has highly exalted him;' super exaltavit, Ambrose. Above all exaltation.' Q-28: WHEREIN CONSISTS CHRIST'S EXALTATION? A: In his rising from the dead, his ascending into …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Old Faiths and the New
SECOND GROUP OF EPISTLES GALATIANS. FIRST AND SECOND CORINTHIANS. ROMANS. PROBLEMS OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY The new faith in Christ made large claims for itself. It marked an advance upon Judaism and maintained that in Christ was fulfilled all the promises made by the prophets of the coming of the Jewish Messiah. It radically antagonized the heathen religions. It had a double task to win men out of Judaism and heathenism. Only by a careful study of these great doctrinal Epistles, and the …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Supremacy of Christ
THIRD GROUP OF EPISTLES COLOSSIANS. PHILEMON. EPHESIANS. PHILIPPIANS. THE QUESTION AT ISSUE +The Supremacy of Christ.+--These Epistles mark a new stage in the writings of Paul. The great question discussed in the second group of Epistles was in regard to the terms of salvation. The question now at issue (in Colossians, Ephesians, Philippian+The Reason for the Raising of this Question+ was the development of certain false religious beliefs among which were, "asceticism, the worship of angels, …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
(LUKE I. 17.) "Oh, may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence: live In pulses stirred to generosity; In deeds of daring rectitude; in scorn For miserable aims that end with self; In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge man's search To vaster issues." The Old Covenant and the New--Elijah and the Baptist--A Parallel--The Servant inferior to the Lord--The Baptism of the Holy Ghost--The …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Baptism unto Repentance
(MARK I. 4.) "The last and greatest herald of heaven's King, Girt with rough skins, hies to the desert wild; Among that savage brood the woods doth bring, Which he more harmless found than man, and mild. "His food was locusts and what there doth spring, With honey that from virgin hives distill'd, Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing Made him appear, long since from earth exiled." W. DRUMMOND, of Hawthornden. Repentance: its Nature--Repentance: how Produced--Repentance: its Evidences--Repentance: …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Elucidation.
The argument (p. 673, note 6,) is conclusive, but not clear. The disciples of John must have been baptized by him, (Luke vii. 29-30) and "all the people," must have included those whom Jesus called. But, this was not Christ's baptism: See Acts xix. 2, 5. Compare note 8, p. 673. And see the American Editor's "Apollos." …
Tertullian—On Baptism

Whether those who had Been Baptized with John's Baptism had to be Baptized with the Baptism of Christ?
Objection 1: It would seem that those who had been baptized with John's baptism had not to be baptized with the baptism of Christ. For John was not less than the apostles, since of him is it written (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist." But those who were baptized by the apostles were not baptized again, but only received the imposition of hands; for it is written (Acts 8:16,17) that some were "only baptized" by Philip "in the name …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Wicked Can Work Miracles?
Objection 1: It would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. For miracles are wrought through prayer, as stated above (A[1], ad 1). Now the prayer of a sinner is not granted, according to Jn. 9:31, "We know that God doth not hear sinners," and Prov. 28:9, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination." Therefore it would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. Objection 2: Further, miracles are ascribed to faith, according to Mat. 17:19, "If you have …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

How Long Between?
It is often asked what time must elapse between the regenerating by the Spirit and the filling with the Spirit? for be it remembered the Filling is as real and distinct and definite a blessing as the regenerating. Many people know the moment of their new birth; they were conscious of the change; so also many know when they were "filled with the Holy Ghost;" it was a blessed, bright, conscious experience, and it is as impossible to argue them out of the one experience as out of the other. On the other …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
1. OLD TESTAMENT. 2. NEW TESTAMENT. 3. THE CHURCH; CHRISTENDOM; KINGDOM. II. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH. 1. IN PROPHECY AND PROMISE. 2. HISTORICALLY FOUNDED. III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. Conditions of Entrance; Characteristics. 1. REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM. 2. FAITH IN THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. REGENERATION. 4. PUBLIC CONFESSION OF CHRIST--BAPTISM. 5. ADHERENCE TO THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE. 6. CHARACTERISTICS. IV. FIGURES UNDER WHICH THE CHURCH IS PRESENTED. 1. THE BODY OF CHRIST. 2. THE TEMPLE OF …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
"In this rejoice not, that the Spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your Names are written in Heaven." Abundant notice of Christ's coming preceded that interesting' event. "To him gave all the prophets witness." Neither was his entrance here unattended. It was announced by an angelic choir; by a miraculous star; and by a band of eastern magi. The manger which contained him, was particularly pointed out to the shepherds, and his person designated by inspired Simon and Anna. Again, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Preventive against Backsliding.
It is most instructive to note how exceedingly anxious the early Christians were, that, as soon as a man was converted, he should be "filled with the Holy Ghost." They knew no reason why weary wastes of disappointing years should stretch between Bethel and Peniel, between the Cross and Pentecost. They knew it was not God's will that forty years of wilderness wanderings should lie between Egypt and the Promised Land (Deut. i. 2). When Peter and John came to the Samaritans, and found that they were …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

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