499. Are paid ministers deserving of blame, according to the Gospel, for being paid?--No. "The Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.” 1 Cor. ix. 14.

500. Did our Lord himself approve of his disciples being maintained, in return for their labours?-Our Lord said, "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat." Matt. x. 9, 10.

501. Does it appear then to have been a mere matter of choice, or a positive duty for Christian congregations to support their ministers ?-A positive duty. 1 Cor. ix. 11-14.

502. On what remarkable occasion is St. Paul first mentioned in Scripture ?-At the stoning of Stephen. Acts vii. 58, and viii. 1.

503. What was his original name ?—Saul.

504. On what occasion, probably, was his name changed?—The change of his name is first noticed at the time of the conversion of Sergius Paulus, his first Roman convert; and probably he took his new name in compliment to him. Read Acts xiii. 7, 9, 12.

505. How was Stephen martyred ?—He was stoned to death. Acts vii. 59.

506. Does the persecution of the first Christians appear to have been unintermitting ?-No. The churches for a time had rest throughout all

Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified. Acts ix. 31.

507. Who renewed the persecution ?—Herod. Acts xii. 1.

508. Who was the first victim of Herod's persecution?-James the brother of John. Acts

xii. 2.

509. What other Apostle did he seize upon ?— Peter. Acts xii. 3.

510. In what extraordinary way was Peter delivered out of Herod's hands?—When he was in prison an angel appeared to him, smote him on his side, and caused his chains to fall off from his hands, and so took him out of prison. Read Acts xii. 5-10.

511. What dreadful end did this Herod come to ?-He was eaten of worms. Acts xii. 23.

512. On what occasion was this dreadful judgment inflicted upon Herod ?-On a set day he sat upon his throne, arrayed in royal apparel, and made an oration to the people; on which they gave a shout, saying, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man; and the angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory." Acts xii. 21-23.

513. Who was the first gentile convert to Christianity?-Cornelius.

514. What is said of his moral character before conversion?-He was a devout man, and one

that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Acts x. 2.

515. What need was there for such a good man to be converted?-Because without faith in Christ, and dependence on his merits, and imputation of his righteousness, it is impossible to please God. See John xiv. 16: Heb. xi. 6: Rom. iii. 20-22.

516. What eloquent preacher do we read of, fervent and zealous in his way, who had need, like Cornelius, to be enlightened in his views?-Apollos. Acts xviii. 24-26.

517. What important lesson do we learn from the cases of Cornelius and Apollos ?-That what a man believes is as important as what he does. No man's state is safe who is not an enlightened Christian.

518. What remarkable circumstance led to the conversion of Cornelius ?-The appearance to him of an angel of God in a vision. Acts x. 3, 4.

519. What did the angel direct Cornelius to do?-To send men to Joppa to Simon Peter, who would tell him what he ought to do. Acts x. 5, 6.

520. Would it be likely that Peter would attend upon Cornelius?-It would not. Acts x. part of

28.

521. In what remarkable way was Peter's mind prepared to comply with the request of Cornelius? -He had a vision, in which he saw a sheet let down from heaven containing all manner of beasts,

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clean and unclean, and a voice told him to kill and eat: he said, he had never eaten any thing common or unclean. Then the voice told him, not to call that common which God had cleansed. This was done three times, and then the sheet was taken up again. Acts x. 9-16.

522. Did Peter understand the drift of this vision immediately?—No: while he doubted what the vision meant, the men sent by Cornelius inquired for Peter, and stood before the gate. Acts x. 17.

523. How was Peter further instructed to attend upon Cornelius ?-The Spirit told him to go with the men, nothing doubting. Acts x. 19, 20.

524. What reception did Cornelius give Peter? -He fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. Acts x. 25.

525. What did Peter say in consequence?66 Stand up; I myself also am a man.' ." Acts x. 26.

526. In what terms did Peter declare to Cornelius and his company that all his prejudices against the Gentiles were at an end?-He said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." Acts x. 34, 35.

527. During Peter's preaching to Cornelius what extraordinary event happened?—The Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Acts x. 44.

528. Did not the gift of the Holy Ghost then make Baptism unnecessary?-No: Peter then commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Acts x. 47, 48.

529. Was this gift of an ordinary, or an extraordinary kind?-Extraordinary, like that to the apostles and others on the day of Pentecost. Acts x. 46.

530. Did this gift accompany, or follow, or go before their baptism?-It went before. See Acts x. 47.

531. What authority have we for maintaining that baptism is indispensably necessary in all cases?The practice of the first Christians. See Acts ii. 38-41.

532. What instance have we of the Holy Ghost being given after baptism?-The case of the disciples at Ephesus who were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, then Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Ghost came upon them. Acts xix. 1-6.

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533. What proof have we that the gift of the Holy Ghost is necessary for every Christian?— St. Paul tells us that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost;" and "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." 1 Cor. xii. 3, and Rom. viii. 9.

534. Do we mean by this, the gift of tongues and the power of working miracles?-No: Because those gifts are not wanted now.