And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. [381] "De exitu ipsos celans," concealing the issue from them. (1-7) He teaches there. And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God. WebComplete Concise Chapter Contents Paul instructs the disciples of John at Ephesus. Therefore, Paul did separate the disciples, lest the goats should with their stink infect the flock of sheep; secondly, that the pure worshippers of God might make profession freely. This indeed came to pass. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this. This invocation had two faults; for whereas they were enemies [373] to Paul's doctrine, they abuse the color thereof without faith, as it were, unto magical enchantments; secondly, they take to themselves without the calling of God that which is not in man's hand. Acts 19:19 Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Ever since this event at Ephesus, Satan and his advocates have been screaming about the "book burners"; but it surely must be true that many books today deserve the same fate. Thus, the ancient pagan priests and their supporting craftsmen were one in heart with the high priestly concessionaires in the temple of God in Jerusalem. [392] In like state do the Papists stand at this day; they boast with full mouth that they be patrons of the Catholic faith and of the holy mother the Church, but when they have spoken [393] thus touching their zeal, in the very handling of the cause they breathe out with open throat the smell of their kitchens. The Holy Ghost came upon them in a surprising, overpowering manner; they spake with tongues, and prophesied, as the apostles and the first Gentile coverts did. We read that those men confessed this once; the Pope's law commandeth that it be repeated every year at least. How does one become a rightful and lawful wearer of the name of Jesus? He saith that John preached of Christ who was to come. Luke doth also by and by express some token of boldness, showing that he disputed and persuaded touching the kingdom of God. (32-41). They start speaking in tongues and prophesying. But and if you take it metaphorically for institution, the speech shall be as yet harsh; and the narration should not agree, that after they were taught the Holy Ghost came down upon them. while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. Acts 19 And they rushed into the commonplace [theater] with one consent, having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions. And they said, Into John's baptism. [28] Herbert Lockyer, All the Men of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1958), p. 113. But because their conjecture hath no color; yea, the words of Paul do rather import that they were the true and natural disciples of John, and Luke doth honorably call them disciples of Christ; I do not subscribe to this opinion, and yet deny that the baptism of water was repeated, because the words of Luke import no other thing, save only that they were baptized with the Spirit. [370]. This was the city secretary, or scribe; and, according to Hervey, "was an office of first-rate influence among the Greek cities of Asia. WebActs 19 - Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org Bible Study Lang uage Tools Hist orical Writings Pas toral Resources Per sonal Resources Site 11. This is first disorderly handled in [389] that Demetrius is careful for religion after other things; [390] because nothing is more absurd than to prefer the belly before the goddess; but even this is also vain, in that he pretendeth that the worship of Diana is in hazard. This implies a route passing from Galatia and Phrygia through the interior, and coming thence to Ephesus. To be sure, the radical critics have seized upon such similarities as an excuse to accuse Luke of inventing parallels through the inclusion of unhistorical material. Whereby we gather that such miracles were wrought by the hand of Paul, to no other end, save only that all men might know that he did faithfully preach Christ to be the power of God; forasmuch as the Lord did not only not suffer them to be separate from the pure doctrine of the gospel; but did so sharply punish those who did draw them preposterously unto their enchantments; whence we gather again, that whatsoever miracles do darken the name of Christ they be juggling casts of the devil; and that those be coziness and falsifiers who draw the true miracles of God to any other end, save only that true religion may be established. 8. And that he may the more amplify the miracles, he saith that handkerchiefs and partlets [366] were brought unto the sick, which so soon as they touched they were healed. "[22], This is an appropriate place to mention the number of striking parallels between the lives of Peter and Paul as outlined by Luke in Acts. And when Alexander had required silence with the hand, he would have excused the matter [394] to the people. and the very exorcists themselves do take upon them, to their own reproach, an office which they never put in practice. This was a clamorous confession, but without any soundness; neither did it proceed from the faith of the heart. 35. If therefore, Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. God was pleased to confirm the teaching of these holy men of old, that if their hearers believed them not, they might believe the works. Alexander Campbell said that "This indicates that John the Baptist's baptism was not Christian baptism; for in the latter they could not have been baptized without hearing of it. And when these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in spirit, having passed over Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After that I have been there, I must also see Rome. Acts 19 Also, we must provide for the weak, lest through wicked backbitings and slandering of sound doctrine, their godliness be subverted. See how craftsmen make advantage to themselves of people's superstition, and serve their worldly ends by it. "[29] Jack Lewis, however, observed that "An inscription in the theater at Corinth informs us that Erastus (held the office of) AEDILE,"[30] not the same as that of "treasurer." When arguments and persuasions only harden men in unbelief and blasphemy, we must separate ourselves and others from such unholy company. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. [397] "Periculum est," there is a danger. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? So they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. We provide complete 24*7 Maintenance and Support Services that help customers to maximize their technology investments for optimal business value and to meet there challenges proficiently. When as he might well have kept himself out of sight, of his own accord was he prepared to put himself in hazard. But because the Grecians take argurion for all kind of money, it is uncertain whether Luke doth speak of pence or sestertians. The lesson should be clear to all, that no man has a right merely to appropriate the name of Jesus. First, he pointed out that the whole city might be "in danger" for tolerating such an illegal uproar; but then he softened his reference to the riot by calling it a "concourse." Secondly, that he came into the synagogue, that he might gather together into one body of the Church the rest of the Jews who knew not Christ as yet, or at least who had not as yet received him. ACTS 19 COMMENTARY & BIBLE STUDY Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. For we see how few come daily, who are ready and apt to hear. And when he suffereth Satan to deceive us, let us know that we be more sharply punished than if he should wound us in the flesh. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came upon them; and they spake with tongues, and did prophesy. [374] "Nisi quod statui potest," unless that it may be held there is. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was out of order, and the more part knew not for what cause they came together. This, to be sure, does not prove that Erastus was not "treasurer" when Paul wrote; because city offices then, as now, often were served by men who had experience in more than one office. CEO But when the brethren, and such friends as were more skillful, dissuade him, his modesty is worthy to be commended, in that he doth not stand stoutly in his purpose. This indicated that he was willing to convey some semblance of legality to the mob by naming it a concourse instead of a riot; then, moving still further to legalize the outrageous gathering, he "dismissed THE ASSEMBLY"! 1 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 As a matter of fact, some of the parallels are not discernible at all, except upon careful study. For which cause the impudence of the Papists is the greater, who color their tyranny by this fact. Wherefore, there is more heavy and grievous punishment prepared for deceivers, who, with their enchantments, profane the name of Christ wittingly, lest they promise to themselves that they shall escape unpunished for such gross sacrilege. So Paul himself doth elsewhere triumph that he went valiantly through the midst of sedition (2 Corinthians 6:5). (21-31) The tumult appeased. But this opinion needeth no long refutation, because to the end they may persuade that these two baptisms be diverse, they must needs show first wherein the one differeth from the other; but a most excellent likelihood answereth on both parts, and also the agreement and conformity of the parts, [357] which causeth us to confess that it is all one baptism. Notwithstanding, I think thus, that so many Jews were offered in presence of the Gentiles, not by chance, but by the counsel of God; and that at one time being disciples, that is, of the number of the faithful, who did notwithstanding confess that they were ignorant of the principal glory of the gospel, which was apparent in spiritual gifts, that by them Paul's ministry might be beautified and set forth. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Therefore, it was not without cause that Luke said before that Paul was kept back by the brethren, and not suffered to enter into the common place [theater]. And some of the company drew forth Alexander, the Jews thrusting him forward. For the show of profit doth so tie all our senses with enticements, that though we wander through all manner of wickedness, yet do we flatter ourselves so long as we be determined to provide for our own commodity. And all the men were about twelve.

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