The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-28
STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF ACTS.
FOR MARCH I, 1903.

so. He made no inquiry concerning any
confession OF faith. That would come
later. His one question was whether,
they had received the Holy Ghost. TIL.
6was part of that large promise which.
according to Peter. (Acts. ii:3S, 3O was
for all under the new dlspensation. II
1t had been realized by the Ephesian con.
verts then the fulness OF the Gospel had
not vet been attained (Rom.. ny :29)
INITIAL baptism. (Verse 81 The an
swer to Paul's question was a>!'evelatlon.
The disciples had not heard OF the Holy
Ghost--they were In the same condition
as merc the Samaritans. (Acts. yill:lb).
at the coming Of Peter ana JONI ia
was n very remarkable statement, snow
Ing that the preaching had been syegy
defective in thatit omitted the most es-
sen tlal truth of Christianity. Paul was
evidently surprised and asked about their
baptism. His question indicates that by
the ordinance men were then tnducted TO
the church. II there was no mention
o. the Holy Ghost al the time, what was
the nature OF their baptism? aTheir answer
jct out the whole secret. They had re-
4ce!yed the baptism OF John, administered
on oasldition of repentance, and determl-
nntsan to lead new life. They were
precisely where Apollos was before he
was Instructed by Priscilla and Aquila
They had taken only the initial step. Inc
Christian profession and lie lay
on beyond. 1t is not enough to.
better living commcndnble as that
EXPECTED CHRIsT-(verse ~ d The
way was thus prepared for Paurs IN
astruction. Here were honest men ana
women who needed the call OF an elo-
auent man, and had made a GOOD !. pc
ginning by turning from their sins. Sucn
people Will not be indifferent when told
that there is something beyond to ~hich
they may attain It was an adrolt les
son that Paul gave that company or no
vtiates. He admitted the full value OF
Johns baptism It would have been a
serious mistake to cast tho slightest
doubt upon the work OF that eminent
evangelist (Matt., KID. whose reputa-
ton had gone far and wide wherever
the dispersed OF Israel might be found.
BY that admission he won the favor or
the disciples. But he added that even
John had required faith In one who was
TO come after him. (Matt. iii;ll.) lie
did not merely seek to turn men from
sin, important as that was. but also to
turn them to Christ tho expected sa-
viour. John was more than preacher
of righteousness-he was the forerunner,f
the herald Of the Messiah. John. 500
These people, therefore, had not met all
the Intention OF John the Baptist
SPIRITUAL T3APTISM-(Verses and
81 Tho docIllty of the converts APP
peared at once-they accepted tho new
message and submitted to another bap-
tism in the name of the Lord Jesus
This ceremony was In harmony with
Christ's commission Matt xxviiI9).
and with Peters practice (Acts, x:4S),
It attested the value Of water baptism
In the early church as nm institution to
be carried forward, II not perpetuated.
After the ordinance Paul laid his hands
on the disciples, who received the Holy
Ghost and prophesed and sphke with
tongues. Tho laying on Of hands was
81 very ancient form (Acts v:G). usually
employed In ordination. For this reason
1t has been thought that on this occa-
sion Paul organized tho church at l1phe-
sus. and by this mode set apart the ell
ders. twelve in number. (Verse ~
Others think this was n special endue-
ment granted only for time, without
repard to official position, but designed
to qualify for the duties that must arise
In the infant church, And some nod
that spiritual baptism was privilege
to BIO enjoyed perpetualy by all Christ
ians.
CLOSING 8THouGH1s--We may learn
from this passage-1. That eloquence
cannot always be trusted A man pos
sessing It may lead one into error as
Apollos did, After him there Is needed
a teacher like Paul, g. That man OF
splendid ability, winning favor With
the populace, may be helped BY one less
prominent, ms Apollos was by Priscilla
and Aquila g. That tho apostolic church
was Very simple and flexible, easily
adapted to quick and aggressive work.
TWO persons, n man and his wife, give
instruction to another and send him
forth to preach without waiting for
other sanction than his recognized gifts
and graces, 4. That Christian workers
Paul followed Apollos at Ephesus and
Apollos followed Paul at Cornth. u
Cor, tii:6) Each served the church s.
That Christianity is more than right
eousness,-lt IS Q power through the Holy
sin-sit is faith In Jesus Christ. s.8That
the larger, fuller life comes through In
struction, No one Sses above what he
knows. Aquila and Paul both teachers,
n hnao1ad avarv,N q