The National tribune., 1893-08-31
In our last lesson st. Paul was at Melita
(Mata).


- s. Rhegium, IS
Is r. Puteoli, 325
IA. =. Rome, 100
Syracuse is on the eastern coast Of Sicily;
fine harbor; founded B. c. 1874; in circum-
ference % miles; birthplace of Archimedes;
st. Paul there three days; population now over
10000
Rhegium is now Reggie, in Kingdom of
Naples; population to-day toward 10000.
Puteoli-How Pozzuoli-in campania of
Naples; eight miles from Naples; st. Paul
there seven days; a Roman colony. Puteoli
means, the relts.
Rome-foundcd by Romulus, B. c. 752;
practically unknown in Old Testament; IA
nous for st. Peters Church; headquarters Of
the Pope; filed with objects Of great interest,
among them the Vatican and the Coliseum;
scene of many early prosecutions against Chris
tians.
AcTs, %: 2i-31.
Preliminary.
st. Paul was duly delivered as prisoner to
the captain OF the guard at Rome. Much liberty
was granted him. After three days he invited
some of the chief Jews living at Rome to meet
him. He explained to them why he was a
prisoner. He declared himself innocent of the
charges made against him at Jerusalem and
Cesarea-let them know he could not have
fair trial at either place, and that the only
prudent course left him was appeal to Cesar.
and therefore his transference to Rome He
elected their interest and made them eager for
further particulars (28: 17-21) A time was
designated for second interview, and our
lesson gives account of it. They had heard
only damaging things about the Christians, and
wanted st. Paul to explain.
The Interriew.
The second meeting was held we may sup
pose. within a week after st. Paufs arrival at
Rome
The hearers were probably the persons re-
ferred to in V. II. st. Paul addressed them at
the second interview probably as at the first:
" Men and brethren"
The interview was held at st. Paul's stop
ping place in Rome. %.
We have reported to US by st. Luke the tenor
of the Apostles instructions at the time. We
notice:
a. He expounded the Kingdom of God. %.
b. He testified as to the Kingdom of God. %.
C. He urged them to become Christians. %,
81.
d. He based argument on Old Testament. %.
e. He persisted for the entire day. %.
f. He applied to them a certain prophecy.
1928.
g. He let them know Gentiles are included
in Christianity. g.
We see the result of the interview.
a. Some believed. "a.
b. Some would not believe. "a.
G. Hence they did not agree among them
selves. %.
d. Some heard bat did not understand. %.
e. Those refusing to heed st. Paul did vio-
lence to their own convictions. q.
!. They left st. Paul. 90.
g. They talked over the doctrines of st.
Paul. 20.
Miscellaneous Remarks.
1. st. Paul saw the Importance of introducing
Christianity into Rome. Some considerable
ina haf4 tI.nN
epistle to the Christians there. He had
vision long before to the effect that he was
destined to see that center of the world and to
preach the principles of Christ's religion there.
He did not 60, when the time came, as a sight
seer. The trip was expensive, but things so
turned that the Government was obliged to
settle the bills. He was received without the
usual severity toward prisoner. Festus did
not write hard things of him in the letter
campaigning the prisoner to the Roman authori-
ties, and Julius had great reason to be very
kind toward st. Paul
2. AS prisoner ST. Paul could not go to the
synagog, and hence met his brethren Jews at
his residence possibly at his hired house. 80.
3. Compare %: IL with %: 81.
a. Verses 1928 are quoted from Is, 6: 9, TO-
s. While at Rome st. Paul wrote the Epistles
to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and
Philemon.
g. 1.-The Book of the Acts closes right here,
breaking off abruptly, as if to show US that it is
an unfinished book, to which every age of the
Church adds other chapters. The Apostle i'm
perceptbly withdraws from view, leaving no
man save Jesus only"
T. We know further of st. Paul only from
glesnings in his Epistles and from traditions
g. Rev. j. r. Miller comments as follows on
verses go 81:
His prison became church. Different SOL
diers were detailed to keep him. His guard
was probably changed every day. Thus many
of the soldiers were brought under his inhu-
ence and power PauPs beautiful courtesy
and sublime noble. heartedness would win these
men to him. Then they were compelled to
hear every word that he spoke and every
prayer he breathed. Doubtless he would labor
too. directly for their conversion. These SOL
diers then went back to their barracks to carry
some divine seed, and to talk of their prisoner
and what he had said. And so it came to pass
that, as he wrote himself from that hired
house, his bonds in Christ were manifest in all
the palace. and in all other places phil 13)
Elsewhere he writes also of saints in Cesar's