The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-08-14
I. !: :, :. 80 :. : :, : :: !: = 4. !: >
= IN The SUNDAY SCHOOL. !
BY w. P. Chamber.


urope. Alexandria was in Africa, and Il
utioch and Ephesus were in Asia u
had already been firmly "
established in two of these centers. Be Il
ore entering Europe, Paul had his c
we on Ephesus, as a strategetic point
tut was not permitted to visit it at
hat time. This week we see the be-
thinning of its becoming for time,
he religious capital of the world.
Under Turkish rule the city has
ceased to exist, its site being marked
by great excavations where archaeolo-
gists are seeking to uncover its past.
When he left Corinth, Paul was ac-
companied by Priscilla and Aquiia
as far as Ephesus. After Paul had
gone on his homeward journey, these
people met a devout, learned and elo-
ouent Jew, named Apollos who was
born in Alexandria. In some way he
had become a disciple of John the Bap-
| fist, and publicly taught the same
things that John had taught. So this
Christian couple took him in hand,
and instructed him in the way Of the
Lord more fully-that is, they taught
him that the Messiah, whose coming
John preached had already come, and
| finished his redemptive work. Some
time after this Apollo went to Corinth,
where he became an influential
preacher.
Again starting from Antioch, in
Syria, and following the route Travelled
on his second missionary journey,
Paul visited the churches in order, I'M
til he reached Antioch in Pisidia. From
there he went directly to Ephesus.
Arriving soon after the departure OF
Apollos for Corinth, Paul found n
small band of disciples, concerning
whom there has been much discus
sion. They claimed to have been bap-
TIED unto Johns baptism" but had
never heard that the Holy Spirit had
been given. Now, if John himself had
baptized these disciples (for so a
great many people believe and teach),
all of them must necessarily have
been past middle life; for nearly
thirty years had elapsed since John
was beheaded 1t seems altogether
improbable that so many of them
should have remained together all
these years, and have made no advance
in spiritual growth. The question as
to whether these disciples were bap
tized 4 second time, has long been a
mater of contention. This writer
believes that they were rebaptized by
Paul himself, or by his order, and that
after they were thus baptized Paul
laid his hands upon them, and the
Holy Spirit manifested itself in
them in the usual manner. This is
the common sense construction of the
language used. Again, Johns baptism
was preparatory to the coming of the
Messiah, and was invalid, if admins
tered after the Christ had been re-
vealed. Hence it could not be per
petuated by his followers-one of
whom probably Apollos himself, had
administered the ordinance to these
disciples. The passage, however, is
difficult of explanation.
With these twelve disc!r- es, AID his
old business associates, 1---s~--.-. and
Aquila, as a nucleus, the great apostle
began his work in his usual manner,
by going first to the synagogue, ana
reasoning and persuading from the
criptuIe. Some becoming so hardened
that they began to speak evil OF the
way, Paul deemed it best to secure
another place of worship. The school
of one Tyrannus was selected, where
a protracted meeting was started,
which lasted two years the service be-
ing held every day. 1t is probable
that the forenoons were spent in man
lal labor, and the afternoons and eve
lings were given to evangelistic work.
It is said that "all that dwelt in Asia
heard the word of the Lord" We I'M
lerstand that the Roman Province OF
Asia, embracing the western part OF
what we call Asia Minor, now a part
If Asiatic Turkey, was the region
meant. The seven churches of ASIA
o whom the messages of the Apoca-
yptic vision were sent, were located |
II this province, and were all probably |
organized during Pauls stay in Ephe-
us.
An unusual feature of Pauls work |
n this place was that God wrought
special miracles by the hands Of
PAUL" Even the articles of clothing
e had worn, became efficacious in