Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1916 — JOURNEYING TOWARD THE HOLY CITY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JOURNEYING TOWARD THE HOLY CITY

Acts 10:16-27.—August 27. St. Paul’s Address to the Elders of the Church at Ephesus—A Brief Review of His Own Experiences—The Kingdom the Theme of His Preaching. Double Responsibility Upon Elders. Warning Against False Teachers. “1 commend you to God and to the Word as His grace.’’—Verse 32.

HFTER St Paul had fled from Ephesus, he made a tour of the European Churches which he had founded. Passing through Macedonia to Corinth, he came by vessel again to Miletus, about fifty miles south of Ephesus. He was accompanied by representatives of several Churches of Greece and Asia Minor, and was eu route for Jerusalem, for whose poor he had suggested that collections be made in the four provinces where he had preached. The vessel on which the party were traveling was detained indefinitely at Miletus. So word was sent to the Elders at Ephesus, and they came to Miletus. Today's Study calls attention especially to the Apostle’s address to these Elders. We are not to think of it as a boastful statement, but rather as a plain rehearsal of matters which his hearers would fully concede. It was given, not for his own sake, but with a view’ to making the lesson of the hour the more Impressive. He reminded them that for three years they had

known him intimately—his manner of life, his devotion to the Lord, to the senice of the Truth and of the brethren. He also reminded them of his humility of mind—that his conduct had not been haughty and overbearing, that, he had not sought to lord it over the Church,

but that he had endured amongst them many trials and difficulties with the Jews, with “false brethren." The Elders yknew of his work, his endurance and his holding back from them nothing that would be helpful to them. He had taught them both publicly and privately. To both Jews and Greeks he had testified that there is but one Gospel of Christ, to be accepted through faith and turning away from sin. By calling attention to these elements of his own character, he was laying the foundation for ids subsequent exhortation tsat they should copy his zeal, his fidelity. He had been a faithful overseer, or bishop, watching over their interests; a faithful pastor, guiding their welfare and seeing to their nourishment in spiritual things. Although possessed of his physical liberty, Kt. Paul felt a mental restraint which he could not shake off. He must go to Jerusalem; for this was the Lord’s providence for him. But he had received assurances from others that bonds and imprisonment awaited him there. None of these things moved him. however, although he knew that the Ephesian Church would see his face no more.

Responsibility Upon All Elders.

Incidentally we note the Apostle’s Message, which he particularly emphasized as the Gospel of Christ—“preaching the Kingdom of God." It is right that we should recognize that this is the same Gospel which we are preaching today. Otherwise we are not preaching aright. God's grace was manifested in the gift of Ills Son. who tasted death for every man. (Hebrews 2:0.) Ultimately that death will bring blessings to all mankind by the establishment of a world wide Kingdom for the suppression of Sin and Death, for the uplifting of all. This is the Kingdom we pray for, “Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth.”

“I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God.” What St. Paul preached to the Church at Ephesus is surely the same Message which, by Divine arrangement, has come down to us in his Epistles. We note that his Message contains not one word respecting eternal torment, which

Is no part of the Divine Plan. Surely from these Epistles we now perceive that lie was very patient in reproving. instructing and encouraging the Lord's dear people. The Apostle's thought in calling the Elders was to impress u[>on them the thought that.

as teachers in the Church, they had a double responsibility—in respect to both themselves and the Church. He reminded them that the Lord had purchased this Flock with the precious blood of the Lamb of God, and that this value in God’s sight should make them willing to lay down their lives for the brethren in any service which they could render. He prophetically declared that of their own selves—of the Flock, and especially amongst the Elders—men would arise who would be desirous of being leaders, and who would not hesitate to produce a schism, a division, to help along their ambition. For a time * they would deceive the sheep by an outward profession, covering their wolfish nature. St. Paul also reminded the Elders that his own course had been one of great care over them and over all the Churches. In Verse 85 he reveals the secret of his success as the Lord’s servant. He constantly put into practice the Master’s admonitions.

St. Paul and the Disciples.

“None of These Things Move Me.”