Passaic City record., 1893-08-12
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
AUGUST 13.
Lesson Text: "Paul at Jerusaiem,' -
Acts xxi, 27-30 - Golden
Text: Phil. L., 20 -
Commentary.

Of. And when the seven days were almost
ended the Jews which were OF ASIA, when
they saw him in the temple, stirred up ali
the people and laid hands on him.. After
parting with the elders of Ephesus Paul and
his companions continued their voyage and
in due time landed at Tyre in Syria then on
to Cesarea, where they tarried some DAYS
with Philip and his daughters, after wnicn
they continued on to Jerusalem ana were
gladly received by the brethren. linen that
Paul might not seem to the jealous lawkeep-
ers to disregard any of the laws and so pre-
vent their anger he does questlonaole
thing, which does not accomplish any gooo.
Both at Tyre and at CBsarea PaIt was
warned by the Holy Spirit not to go to
Jerusalem oversees A, III, but he would not be
persuaded (verse 14l.
%. "Crying out Men of Israeli help This
is the man that teacheth all men every Ynere
against the people, and the law, ana TINS
place. Not word OF truth in either OF
these charges or in the one following. SO
that Paul could truly say, ''They laid to my
charge things that l knew not.
90. s'For they had seen before with him in
the city Trophimus and Ephesian whom they
su pposed that Paul had brought into the
TEMPLE" Their last charge, therefore, was
grounded on mere supposition. In their
fancied zeal for God they were disooeylng
the yery commands of Gods for it is written,
sLet none of you imagine evil against his
brother in your heart" Czech. vii, 10; vni;,
lD They knew nothing of the love when
thinketh no evil is not easily provoked, re-
ioiceth in the truth, hopeth all things q Cor.
xiii, SD.
30. And all the city was moved, and the
people ran together and they took Paul and
drew him out of the temple, and forthwith
the doors were shut. How much Oh the
devil there may be under the cloak religion
and apparent zeal for God What righteous
indignation (?) and the whole city moved,
but it is all the work of the wicked one. Be
calm Paul, for the unseen Almighty one
careth. and legions of angels are ready to do
His bidding. See Ii Kings VI 10, II rs.
xxxiy, 7 Math. XVI, SO
81 "And as they went about to kill him
tidings came unto the chief captain OF the
band that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Death is the DEVILS last and worst that he
can do to child OF God, but even then he
is only a black servant to usher us into the
presence of our Lord, who has taught us not
to fear them which kill the body (Math. K,
28). He has taught us not TO be offended II
we are put out of the company of religious
people, and even If they kill us John xvi,
Ia
81. .s.And when they saw the chief captain
and the soldiers they left beating of Paul.
This was probably one of the three beatinSs
which he speaks of in IL Cor. XII, 20. His
back had many scar ere this, but he took
pleasure in all distresseS for Christ'S sake Ii
only the power of Christ might rest upon
to consider Him that endured such con-
tradiction of sinners against Himself lest we
be wearied and faint in our minds, for not
many of US have like Paul, resisted unto
blood (Heb. xiii, 3. ~.
81. '.Then the chief captain came near and
took him and commanded him to he bound
with two chains and demanded who he was
and what he had done. OF these bonds
also he had been torewarned (verse IL and
chapter xx, 23), but these were neither his
first nor his last chains for Jesus's sake
(chapter xviii, 20; II Tim. l., 16). These
chains were but for a time and for the glory
of God but we read of everlasting chains for
lost spirits {Jude 6; III Pet IL, A.. Not
present suffering, but the eternal is to be
feared (AIath. X, % XIV, 80, Al ; Rev. xiv,
10, II Xx., Is xxi, 81
"a And some cried one thing, some an
other. among the multitude, and when he
could not know the certainty for the tumult
he commanded him to be carried into the
CASTLE" This is very suggestive of the tu-
mutt of to-day among religious people. There
is such crying of one thing and another by
higher and lower and no critics. by the dlf-
ferent denominations and by the posts and
press that it would almost seem impossible to
know the certainty OF anything. but those
who cling to the book may know and will
know if they only take God at His word lisa.
viii, 90 f. V. J.
35 And wnen he came upon the stairs SO
it was tnat he was borne of the soldiers for
the violence of the people, Violence and
strife in the city, sure enough CPS. w., 81.
But the day will come when Jerusalem shall
be called city of truth when her walls shall
be salvation and her gates praise when the
work OF righteousness shall be peace, and the
effect OF righteousness, quietness and assur-
ance forever Czech. viii, 3; Isa. lx., 49,
xxi, 10.
&c. For the multitude of the people fol-
lowed after, crying, Away with him " So
4, i. +
XIII. 18, John xix, 19), and He taught us
that We must expect HIS treatment if faith
fuI unto Him (John xv.. 20l. How few Of
US in these days seem to be counted worthy
OF this honor Is it because we are SO little
like Him. so unfaithful to testimony, SO
mixed up with the world, or is it because we
fear suffering for His sake?
81. And as Paul was TO be led into the
castle he said unto tine chief captain, May
speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou
speak Creek" During this uproar and
tumuIt Paul was douotless communing with
his unseen Friend and Master. His heart
would be saying Il am Thine, Lord, for
Thy service. WHAT wilt Thou nave me to do?
(chapter xvii, %; lx., g.? Captain and
soldiers and angry mob were nothing to him
as compared with his own Captain.
3S. art not thou that Egyptian which be-
fore these days madest an uproar and led
dest out into the wilderness 1000 men that
were murderers?" Here is compliment for
faithful follower OF the meek and lowly
Jesus. A man VINO preached peace and
went about rescuing people from the hands
OF the father OF all liars and murderers
| (John viii, Az 10 be accused of being the
leader OF 1000 murderers-that is a feather
for your cap, Paul, more fellowship with
your Master Blessed privilege to be mis-
understood and falsely accused If only for
His sake.
80. ''But Paul said, / am man which am
Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of
no mean city, and 1 Deseech thee suffer me
! to speak unto the people" Though suffer-
/ ing in body from the beating and the rough
handling, his heart longed to tell if possible
once more the story of Jesus. The false ac-
cusation was not worth noticing. but it was
worth while to get another opportunity to
speak of Jesus. Fellow believer we are t,iti-
/ zens of no mean city. Compare Phil. ill.,, 20,
with Rev. xxi, 2. Isyour heart so stirred by
this heavenly citizenship that you long
above all things to speak of Him. Lesson
/ HaiDar