The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-15
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE LESSON.
First Quarter. Lesson XI. March 49,

Paul Before Agrippa. Acts XVI lis.
GOLDEN TExT.-And said, Who art thou Lordl
And he said ] am Jesus, whom thou persecutest
Acts XVI, 10.
Paul before Festus. Acts XIV. 1-12
Visit of Agrippa and Bernice Acts XIV, 1927
The promise to Israel Sam vii 12-17
Ihe lesson --Acts XVI J.! 2
Changed through Christ ..l Tim. l. 1920
Receiving the inheritance Col. Ill 1924
THE PLAcE.-Cnsarea was the civil capital Of
the province, and Jerusalem the religious. As
soon as possible after Festus (who succeeded
Felix as procurator) came into Casarea, he went
up to Jerusalem. There he tarried eight or
ten days. The high priest and the elders of the
Jews, whose hatred of Paul never slept, again
brought charges against him to Festus, and de-
sired that he would send for Paul, who was still
IN bonds at C8sarea. The governor answered
that he should be kept in custody there, and dl-
rected his accusers to proceed thither and prove
their charges. But when they came not one of
their grievous complaints could they substantiate
Still. Festus willing to show the Jews a favor,
asked Paul if he would go up to Jerusalem and
there be tried Paul. knowing how a plot had
been laid against his life, and how the Lord in a
vision had assured him that he should testify of
judgment seat to him Iappeal" He would not
thwart the divine will by going contrary to it;
his destination was Rome not Jerusalem. Fes-
tus, after consulting with his accusers, replied
Thou hast appealed to Caesar; to Caesar thou
shalt CO." PauTs appeal removed his case en-
tirely from the local tribunals and he was de-
tanned in prison until an opportunity should offer
OF his being sent to Rome
THE CHARACTERS Felix was succeeded by
Portius Festus as procurator Of Judea. While
waiting for a chance to send his prisoner to
Rome Festus was visited by Herod Agrippa III,
and his sister Berenice, who expressed wish to
hear Paul. Agrippa II, the son of Agrippa l.
and great grandson of Herod the great,
King of Trachonitis, and had two sisters. whose
names are mentioned in the Acts, Drusilla, wife
of Felix, and Berenice, or Bernice. Such
was the concern of his father for the
or Caius told him he had ordered
his statue to be erected in the temple at Jerusa-
lem, he tainted away at the hearing OF it. Philo
says he wrote the emperor long and pathetic
letter, beseeching him that his country rites
might not be altered. Josephus relates that he
made this request at a banquet, which greatly
pleased the emperor, but that he did it at the
manifest hazard of his life He took pains to
preserve the Jewish rites and was so exact IN the
practice of them himself that he educated his
children i'll the knowledge and observance
of them also. It was before king so trained
and expert in the customs of the Jews that Paul
was now to make his address. But Agrippa,
with all his zeal for Judaism, was immoral in
even Juvenal the Roman satirist, mentions his
guilt His rule over his kingdom was not un
just and he is regarded the best of the
Herods After the destruction of Jerusalem,h he
was deposed from his kingdom and ended his
days at Rome
PAUL;s DEFENsE.--Here, as in all of his public
addresses, Paul shows rare tact in saying the
right word at the right time He could compl-
ment without fattcry; concilate without yield
ing selfrespect; and, prisoner though he was
was the peer in courtly grace of any in the
courtly gathering. His opportunity was full
fillment of a promise made nearly thirty years
before (ix 15) that he should bear the name of
Jesus before kings" His defense now is but a
recital of personal experience; witnessing for
Jesus more than formal answer to the accusa-
tons of his foes.
He was on his way to one of the Oldest cities
OF the world, journeying along highway
famous for conquest and trade: he was armed
with full power from the Sanhedrinl to arrest
| and send to Jerusalem for trial any whom he
might find of the faith he was already
exultng in his victories, as the spires OF Damas-
Gus came in sight, when suddenly his life was
changed by vision from heaven, and a
disclosure of tho fact that he was per-
scouting the real Messiah The account
of his conversion Is essentially like the
record of Luke (ch g. l-22) and his own
recital before the Jews in the temple (ch. %
1-2ll; yet it contains some point of difference
which are noteworthy. The brightness of the
glory which surrounded him is one of these new
features; that the voice addressed him in Hebrew
is another--Paul now spoke before Agrippa in
Greek; the words of the Oriental proverb about
the goad is third. These words, which occur
| in our king Jamesl version in chapter nine.
are rightly omitted there by the revised version;
they are peculiar to Paul's speech before Agrppa.
Lord Lyttleton, in his remarks Oh the con-
version of Paul, thinks that it is one of the
surest evidences of the truth of Christianity.
He shows that this sudden change in the life
and character of the apostle was not the result
of self deception. of fraud on the part of others
or of enthusiasm; that Paul was not guilty of
imposture; and that the only explanation which
can be given is that given by the apostle him
self--an entire change of heart and purpose. 1t
was q miraculous apparition which Paul saw on
the way to Damascus.
TRUTHS TO BE IMPRESSED.
The moment a soul is converted, the question
at once arises--'Lord, what wilt thou have me
to dog
Steadfastness in the Christian life is the
secret of growth. They go from strength to
strength; every one Of them in Zion appeareth
before God"
A longing for the salvation of others is at once
begotten in the converted soul. Brethren my
hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel that
they might be saved"
The hope Of the resurrection is the priceless
hope of the Church Alas for the day when faith
fails, and we sorrow as those who have DO hope
Sincerity is not salvation. An honest mistake
may be fatal mistake. Saul the Pharisee must
become Paul the Christian to become safe.
Error is fatal; truth only is salvation.
No Christian walks the path Of duty alone.
Il am with you :. always"
ITO open their eye" is every teachers mission
! to the last. Have your pupils seen Jesus? Do
| they see him in every lesson which you teach!
A Camel in Love.
Colonel Burnaby's ride to Khiva.''
Some distance further on the road / observed