The apostolical history containing the acts, labours, travels, sermons, discourses, miracles, successes, and sufferings of the Holy Apostles from Christ's ascention to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus : a brief description whereof is here inserted : also, a narration of the particular times and occasions upon which the apostolical epistles were written, together with a brief analytical paraphrase of them : to which is added (for the better understanding of this history) a map of the Apostle Paul's travels ... / by Samuel Cradock.

SECT. III.

VVHil'st Apollos was thus imployed at Corinth, Paul ha∣ving visited the Churches in Phrygia and Galatia,

came to Ephesus(a) 1.1, (according to his pro∣mise made to them, chap. 18. v. 21.), and there he found Twelve Disciples, no further instructed in Christianity than the Doctrine by John; having received Baptism from him, or some of his Disciples scattered abroad, as was the case of Apollos before mentioned. Paul asks them whether they had received the Ho∣ly Ghost? They answer, they had not so much as heard whe∣ther there were any Holy Ghost; that is, that there were now any miraculous Gifts imparted by the Holy Ghost. In which words, they seem to speak after the common Tenet of the Jewish Na∣tion, which was, That after the death of Ezra, Haggai, Zachary, and Malachi the Holy Ghost departed from Israel; and they pro∣fess they never heard of his being a new given, with his mira∣culous Gifts. He asks them then, Ʋnto what were ye baptized? they say, unto Johns baptism; that is, into the Doctrine which John taught, and sealed by Baptism; which being published to them, and by them own'd and profess'd, they were baptized; by which Baptism, the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghost were not given or imparted to any. To this Paul replies, that the ministry of John was not to gather Disciples to himself; but he exhorted his hearers to repent and believe in him that was shortly to appear and manifest himself, viz. in Christ Jesus, and to expect remission of sins only by Him. Which they, to wit Johns hearers, understanding and consenting unto, they were baptized by him in the Name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul having thus instructed them concerning the true tenden∣cy of Johns Baptism, and how it pointed to Christ, he laid his hands on them, and the miraculous Gifts of the Holy Ghost were immediately conferred on them. And they spake divers Tongues, which before they understood not, and were indued with the Gift of prophesying, that is, of declaring things to come and interpreting the writings of the Prophets, that they might be fit Teachers of others.

Act. 19.1. And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul ha∣ving passed thorow the upper coasts, came to Ephesus, and finding cer∣tain disciples,

v. 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the holy Ghost since ye belie∣ved? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost.

v. 3. And he said unto them; Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto Johns baptism.

v. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the p••ople, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

v. 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.

v. 6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the holy Ghost came on them, and they sp••ke with tongues, and prophesied.

v. 7. And all the men were about twelve.

* 1.2 * 1.3

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Ephesus erat Metropolis Ioniae, clara conditoribus Amazonibus, gra••i diluvio quod p••ssa est, templo D••n e ejusque incen••io, viris doctis, & arti∣ficibus inde ortis, arte magic•• ibi usi∣tat••; epistol•• Pau••i ad era scripta, n e non diuturni Johannis Evangeli••ta in hac urbe resilentiâ; epistol••que ad ca•• scripta, Apoc. 2.1.
• * 1.2

  v. •• Num Spiritum Sanctum accepistis?] i. e. Dona illa eximia Spiritûs Sancti ex qui∣bus colligeretur vos ad sanctum ministerium divinitus vocari, scilicet donum linguatum & Prophetiae. Nam etsi ista dona omnibus credentibus & baptizatis tunc temporis non erant communia, nec necessaria, tamen cum hi discipuli Johannis destinabantur ad docendum in Ecclesià & haud dub••e zelo ferverunt, (ut Apollo, itidem Johannis dis∣cipulus, cap. 18.24.), requirebantur in illis hujus modi dona, in quibus pateret, ipsos divinitus ad sacrum ministerium vocatos esse.
• * 1.3

  v. 5 Breviter indicat Paulus discrimen baptismi Johannis à praesenti baptismo; quod Johannes quidem baptizavit in venturum Messiam ac populum jussit in eum credere; ipsi vero bapt••zabant in exhibitum, passum, & glorificatum; simulque eos proculdubio de totâ sacrâ ••rtade, & mysterio Christi, plane instituebant.

  Audientes verò] i. e. qui ex populo hanc Johannis concionem audierunt sideque acceperunt, ii baptizati sunt ab illo, scil. Johanne. Sic Streso & Glassius.