Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-04-03

GOLDEN TExT.-And when Paul had
laid his hands u,on them. tue Holy
Ghost came on them.-Acts 1896.
Leaving Cor nth IN the autumn of A.
d. j3 o. 81, Paul once more returned to
Antioch in Syria. On the way he made
ort sia. at Ephesus, wher- he Ielt
Aquila and Prscl a, who started with
him. and ano h-r at J,rusa EN-, where
h. desired to keep an important feast.
Tue purpose of this return was, no
doubt il - r.. to report what Ia al been
accomplished in Europe, and, in part,
t. .epew his own courage aud strength
b. a season Of rest and fellowship with
tn Sc VINO hand sent him out.
How long he Ia ried at Antioch is not
in jimated. Tnat il was "some um","
Indicates that he was there at home. But
no one ever had a deeper sense than he
that: "T'h,s il the day of service true :"
all no one was ever more firmly re.
solved to work while the day lasts.
A cordingly he soon sets forth on an.
other, which is his third great MISSION.
AIRY journey. OF the many things brough,
to view in ihese verses we eau note n
few only of tie more important.
l. The specidl need young and isolated
Christians haze Of encouragement and in.
sfrr4ction.-Just what his course on this
Journey was, we are not told, save that
he went over the country OF Galstia
and Phryg IN order. These were cen.
trail provinces of Asia Minor and no
doubJSnost of the churches visited were
not young only. but remote from 9th
ers. The manifested :.sympithy of fel.
low Christians is always swee it is also
strengthening Pains should be taken
to sit, cheer, instruct, and incite those
who are either immature in experience
or ISOLATED in place. But to this there
is another side. Some draw of from
Christian society, and isolate themselves
Let none complain who do that.
.. The valuable srrviee ordinary Chrs.
danI ef.sH have il IN their posSev 10 render
About the time Paul set forth on this
tour of visitation, there appeared new
teacher At Ephesus. This uas none
other than Appollos, an AlexAndriAn
Jew, eloquent or learned, rather both
eloquent and learned, and mighty in the
Scriptures, that is, of the Old Testament.
Alexander, city in Egypt, was great
literary and intellectual centre, and the
Jews settled there shared in the intel.
iectual activity Of the place. OF these
Appollos was one. He wAs also sin.
Structed in the way Of the Lord" the
Lord" here, jim 80 many other places
Signifying Christ. There was an impor.
tant limit, however, 10 his knowledge.
He knew only ''the baptism of John.
All this would seem to imply that he
knew 80 much of Jesus a. be had been
able to learn from the OH Testament, =,
and rs had been taught by the disciples
of John. Very likely he understood
that Jesus was the Messiah, and had
heard of his crucifixion and resurrection
But he had not heard Of the scenes Of
Peutecost, nor learned the full signifi.
cance Of Christ's death and resurrection.
lie was fervent in spirit and spoke and
taught carefully the things concerning
Jesus, (see Rsrised Iicrsi9nl 30 far as he
knew them.
Observe now how this most earnest
and valuable man was brought 10 that
fuller knowledge which he needed.
Aquila and Priscilla took him to their
homo, the same Kindness a. that which
they had shown to Faul at Cor.nth, and
"eNpounded unto him the way Of God
more carefully These two were com.
mon people save only that they were
ardent disciples and evidently great
-earchers after truth. Apolios wos learn.
ID in AleKandrian wisdom, and yet il
f.ll to these ordinari taught Christians
20 instruct him. THIS was not a sol tary
instance Of its kind. Many a humble
'isciple has become wi-er in the Scrip
tires than those who have been tsught
II the SCHOOL,. Such, both in word and
"xatople, may render valuable Chris ian
service.
3. The use God has for tie riyed culture
agd best Intellectual en.iocn<nts. - No sooner
bad Apol!os come to full understand
ing Of the gospel than he was moved 10
''pass into Achais." No doubt Aauila
aid Priscilla told him Of the need at
Corinth. So, taking letters of commsn.
dation, he went there end he 'hclped
hem much" lie was we'll fitted for
-uch q place. Hislesrniug and eloquenes
would make him powerful in con.ro.
sersy. Then be knew the Scriptures.
f..1 -. - III ~