The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 306

Scan transcription helps with searching and selection. Use the printed page above for exact spelling and punctuation.

300 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES their evil liabits, returned to the debasing sins of heathenism. Paul had written briefly to the chnrch. admonishing them ''not to company" witli members who should persist in profligacy; but many of the believers perverted the apostle's meaning, quilibled over his words, and excused themselves for disregarding his instruction. A letter was sent to Paul by the church, asking for counsel concerning A'arious matters, but saying nothing of the grievous sins existing among them. The apostle was, however, forcibly impressed by the Holy Spirit that the true state of the church had been concealed, and that this letter was an attempt to draw from him statements which the writers could construe to serve their own purposes. About this time there came to Ephesus members of the household of Chloe. a Christian family of high rei3ULe in Corinth. Paul asked them regarding the condition of things, and they told him that the church was rent by divisions. The dissensions that had prevailed at the time of ApoUos' visit had greatly increased. False teachers were leading the members to despise the instructions of Paul. The doctrines and ordinances of the gospel had been perverted. Pride, idolatry, and sensualism were steadily increasing among those who had once been zealous in the Christian life. As this picture was presented before him. Paul saw that his worst fears were more than realized. But he did not because of this give way to the thought that his work had been a failure. "With "anguish of heart" and with "many tears" he