The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-28
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Acts xviii, "a; xix, o. March L, 1905
PauI md ApOIIOs.

The city of Ephesus will ever have a peculiar
charm for those who interested in the be-
ginnings of Christianity. Here lived and laoored'
at different periods. two of the apostles whose
characters were in marked contrast. John, the
loving and beloved. here wrote his gospel and
epistles, the keynote of each being love" Into
the congregation of believers he carried in
his chair, and, lifting his trembling hands, pro-
nounced his parting benediction. Little chill
dren love one another" Here he discharged. to
the end, the sacred obligations which the Lord
placed upon him when. from the cross. He cried
TO him. Behold thy motheri In his home in
this CITY, Mary. fairest lily of the Hebrew race.
most honored of all women fell on sleep. Here
John himself died a natural and peaceful death,
in extreme old age, forming the only exception
to the rule of martyrdom among the apostles.
In contrast to the peaceful and even flow Of
Johns life in Ephesus is the impetuous torrent
of Pauls. With his tireless zeal and Irresistible
logic he threw himself, upon the one hand.
against Judaism that curtaned its heart in
unbelief whenever Moses was read. and. the
other against heathenism thoroughly infused
with Oriental magic and sorcery. Pauls life in
Fphesus was that OF a gladiator. 1t lie his own
figure when he says, After the manner Of men.
/ have fought with beasts at Ephesus." And,
again: ''God hath set forth US, the apostles.
last as 1t were appointed to death. for we are
made a spectacle unto the world" The blood
curdling climax of the Ephesus spectacles was
when the fighters with beasts set forth.
last of all, to contend with powerful and raven
Gus brutes while $4,000 spectators gazed down.
from their marble seats beneath the silken cano-
pies upon these gladiators ''butchered TO make
an Ephesan holiday"
Such were Paul's perils The contrast of his
life in Ephesus and Johns life in the city
Is the contrast between foaming cataract and
a sea of glass. There is deep significance in the
order of their residence The placidity of John $
life was rendered possible by Pauls priority Of
abode there With the dauntless courage OF a
Christian gladiator Paul met the beast of Asiatc
heathenism, and IL he did not actually throttle
it to death subdued it to make the as
tendency of Christianity in the next century
possible.
The method of PauIs procedure in Ephesus
will reveal to US the logical, the divine order in
the introduction on Christianity everywhere.
And so it's study is of transcendent importance
His frs: step was to draw wholly into the
KINGDOM certain semi-Cf1ristians resident in
Ephesus BY this means he not only augmented
the Christian force but he removed diverse.
confusing and misleading types OF Christian
faith and life.
Paul ever alert for opportunities. heard
of a little company of disciples OF John the Bap-
fist They had received the baptism 10 repent
ance: possibly they knew of Jesus Messiah
but certainly they knew nothing or Pentecost
and the effusion Of the Holy Ghost
Paul sought an early Introduction these
Johannean disciples. He into their COM
pany. not with the magsteriai air OF an ecclesi-
astic but with the simple moral earnestness of
a brother. He inquired into their state Of be-
lief and experience. and gently showed them
how the facts of gospel history OF which they
had not been so fortunate 90 become ac-
uuainted fitted into their present knowledge
and experience like many lemons into NOR
tises His delighted auditors proved so teach
able that they giided easily and instantly into
the kingdom OF grace. They were baptised not
rebaptised. never having before received Chris
tan baptism Then the apostle laid his hands
upon them. and instantly there little
Pentecost there, under the very shadow OF
Dianas great temple. cleaning with its star
ike radiance And they all filled with the
Holy Ghost. and began to speak with other
tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance-
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
The incident of Apollos is little narrative in
parenthes:s Though brief. it is exceedingly
suggestive
Apo,ios is type of the popular teacher or
nreacher who, though himself not adequately
instructed has a subtle enthusiasm which gains
him an auditory where the scholar. accurate but
cold fails. Yet the superiority of ApolIos's en-
thussasm is evinced by its quality OF teachable-
ness.
The utility of an educated ministry is exem-
mined in Apoiios He is the justification of the
college and seminary Of to-day. Only enthus