Warming Fire

Acts 19:1-3

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,

The time now is fourteen years after Paul's conversion. It is at this point he returns to Jerusalem once more. Yet he comes not alone. Along with him are Barnabas and Titus. Some of you might feel that this accounting of events does not seem to match Paul's first journeys. So also, I thought Barnabas to be dead and gone. Maybe some of you did too. Then look, here comes Titus as though held hostage for ransom. You might be partly right. But when in doubt, you and I should always consult the Scriptures to prove his testimony. I know; Paul might have stretched his tale of woe slightly. All this seems to be for the benefit of that little church in Galatia. Here we see Paul just passing through like a breath of wind or a bump in the night. See, there is an issue in the ministry of the too late. No matter what, Galatia will not go down in history as one that endured to the end. Nor will it be one that Christ knew. Now in Galatians 2:1-6, the text says Paul "went up by revelation." Well might he, for I would too. Something awfully strange is going on. Look, he is checking himself along the way. I am sure at times he was tempted to wonder if he was wrong in this. Yet how many of you know that when you work for the Lord it is never in vain. All the same, I love how Paul adapts his style just in case. Look with me at the situation. Apollos has been left at Corinth. So then, Paul travels the whole length by the coast before he finds another believer. Note where he finds them; they are huddled within the purview of the Ephesian church. Now I do not remember Paul nor any other yet planting here. So, he preached to them the gospel. It matters not if these be Gentiles or important people. He speaks to all of Christ both privately and publicly. Notice here how also no names are mentioned. At this point, it is just them and the Lord. It is a frightful thing indeed to fall off the pages of history and into the hands of the Lord.

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Now here comes the real kicker. The question remains whether this little church had yet received the Holy Spirit. Without him, their state remained like that of the disciples held in prayer within the upper room until that fire fell. See, I remember something of this church now. Was this not the region founded near Jesus with whom Paul could stay no longer. Yet for fear of the ministry of too late just next door, he has returned. Here I suppose Paul writes in hopes of finding them again. But how many of you know that when you are in Christ, you shall never be lost. Nor shall any take you away from him as in John 6:34. Yet see how the devil and some just like him do. Paul calls these "false brethren" sneaking around in hopes of catching some once more. Not content with such, they "spy out liberty" and seek to subject many. So, these ones do far more effectively than any Roman could. Certainly, it is an enemy far more dangerous than any politically. Here we see they laid a trap for Titus in the matters of the circumcision. Of this I will speak later. But Christ having set him free demanded not his bondage once more. Thus, would no man compel Titus to partake of the rites of circumcision. More than that, Titus was a Greek. You might be saying, 'hold up; I thought he was Roman.' Maybe he is both. How wonderful it is to serve the God of all who call upon his name. Yet how many know once he is with you, he will never leave you according to Hebrews 13:5. For is not the Spirit his down-payment as it were. It is an assurance of his return for his own. So then, the question becomes not 'do you have Christ.' Rather, does Christ have you. When you are with another, you can no longer do the things you used to. Thus, had the false brethren been of him they doubtless would have listened. Like I said before, God is not your parole master. But if he must correct you as a loving Father, he will. See, the real danger lies not in those false teachers. Instead, it is in the ignorance of the Word and of his Spirit.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

See, there is no place given to subjection here. Such a doctrine is not tolerated even for a minute nor entertained yet for an hour. Doing so would have risked the life of the church once again. When you have the Spirit within you, the old ways just will not do. For is he not a living Spirit and a flame of fire within you. Do you know how a fire does on a cold winter evening? It flickers and goes out. That is why you need an enduring gospel. It seems you have need of the continuing Word. His is an abiding Spirit indeed. But as with all the things, the fire must be tended and the Spirit warmed. See, God is a rather personal God. It is like dwelling with a loving spouse or an eternal Father. So then, to go get an ankle monitor of circumcision out again is frankly rather silly. By this you mean to tell me, you would rather him be your judge and sentence you to house arrest. Yet would you not rather just accept his grace. Here we see why even baptism profits little without the Spirit behind it. What good is it then to tell the world that you are his. But within your house the cupboards are empty and bare. Nor is there enough to even give the poor dog a bone. To God it matters not who you are. Oh, to hear him say whose you are today along with that quiet "well done." Else he would be like those important people here in the text that are saying nothing.