Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-08
Paul Before Felix.

Paul Before Felix.
The lesson for Sunday, August 20,
may be found in Acts "a: 1925.
INTRODUCTORY.
Christianity has more than once been
put upon the witness stand and even III
the prisoners box. 1t has not suffered
thereby, has rather triumphed.
Brought bsfore councils" was one of
the New Testament prophecies, and
rich promise for the kingdom was at
tached thereto. In the le sson before
us we shall see how God turns apparent
misfortune into blessing. Paul's de-
Tense of himself before tho successive
magistrates at whose bar he is cited to
appear constitutes a matchless serial
apology for the gospel. He is speaking
| here for all time, not only in matter
but in manner. The brave attitude of
the apostle to the Gentiles is an exam
| pie and incentive to us all when called
upon to stand before the Judge. Paul
says to us here, as prophets and apos-
ties everywhere speak, in Gods name,
be strong!
POINTS IN THE LESSON.
Neither can they prove the things
whereof they now accuse me-" 1t is
Chrstianity's challenge to the world
still. Many charges have been laid at
her doors. She has carried burdens
of misrepresentation and misrepresenta-
ton since tho beginning. But not will
ingly, though patiently. The voice
that Paul lifts here ought often to be
raised. There need be no long-drawn-
out vindication, but at least the asser.
ton of the truth should be made clear
and strong. AS we hold the profession
of our faith and hope unwavering, so
let us hold forth the profession OF our
integrity before the world.
"Heresy." 1t is tho same word rem.
dered sect in the fifth verse above. A
ringleader of the heresy of the Naza-
renes. Alas that there is not more of
this sort of heresy in the world, in the
church. There are Christians, SO
called, who fairly could not, certainly
would not, be called Nazarenes. They
are not followers of the meek and lowly
Nazarene. Let us have more Christian
men and women standing forth and say
ing to worldly church: This / con-
they call heresy the heresy of Christ
likeness) so worship the God of the
fathers" God give us more heretics.
What was the popularity of this be-
lief which Paul professed? The four
teenth and fifteenth verses tell us,
believing all things that are written"
that the Jews were not doing And
have hope toward Gcd. That the
Jews professed to have, but wrongly
conferred. A larger faith, larger
hope. distinguish the true Israel of
God, of whom Paul is the shining rep
resentative. If old Israel would only
believe what is written, if she would
only hope in the promises as recorded
and fulfilled, a hope changed to trust,
how blessed the children of Abraham
might become-bessed and blessing.
This one voice" What voice?
preaching the resurrection of the
dead" Here Paul pleads Guilty" l
have done nothing to offend even the
most orthodox of the old faith. he says.
except it be for this one voice that |
cried among them-the resurrection"
The resurrection: tho resurrection!
Lift the voice to-day. Let it sound out
from pulpit, from classroom. Claim the
power of the resurrection, declare the
doctrine of the resurrection to prove
its power. How many of us are there
who would BE- compelled to plead guilty
here. Alas how many pulpit, how
many a life as touching the proclama-
ton of the resurrection, is innocent,
ruin9usly, shamefully, guiltily inno-
cent.
Felix trembled," trembled-that
was all. Some men tremble and ac-
cept. Trembling saves no man. The
devils believe and tremble. Felix
trembled and said go thy way" Well
might he tremble, because of the bless
ing so near him, yet passed by and lost.
"A more convenient season." he said.
Yet what is more convenient, scrip
turally convenient, than the present?
Go thy way for this time" is literally
for the now time. But the now time"
is the only time of salvation, Now is
the accepted time, and to-day is the
day of salvation. What Felix really
said was more opportune season. d
moment when his time was his own
when he had at least a part and share
in it: such seems to be the significance
of the original. But what time is ours
but the present? Carpe diem, seize the
day.
HINTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
Organize q kind of tribunal. Try
Paul on the charges preferred before
the class. Let the teacher put himself,
If he will, in the place of the culprit.
Let the class form the council chamber
OF Felix. Have some one state the case,
and let Paul defend himself. A vivid
conception may thus be obtained.
The Kings Daughters give us the
pretty story, What is the chief end of
mani" the teacher said. The little
child made answer as written in the
catechism, ITO glorify God and enjoy
him forever" Then, quick came the
child-query, not written in the book,
What is the chief end of GOd?" The
teacher thought a moment, then came
the answer itself not written in the
catechism, but truly in Gcd's book, ITO
glorify man and enjoy him forever"
Paul was of this sort.
| 1t was Henry Ward Beecher, was it
not, who, speaking to the people of the
north of England, on the subject Of
slavery, in war times, hooted and
howled down, turned to the reporters
at his feet with the remark in SUBJ
stance, Il speak to you, gentlemen. and
through you to the millions" It was
a broad tribunal. Such was Paul here.
Next Lesson-"Paul before Agrippa."
| Acts 2fi. 1922 /