The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-10-21
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for October "a,
1897 Paul Before King ARrippa-

1897 Paul Before king Agrippa-
Acts 28;IO-32.
tArranged from Peloubet's Notesl
GOLDEN TEXT. Whosoever therefore
shall confess Me before men, him will
confess also before my Father which is
in Heaven.-Matt 1882.
THE SECTION includes chapters 25 and
rs. the whole story of the trial Of Pau
before Agrippa.
TIM ME.-First of August, A D. 60. Two
years after the last lesson.
PLACE. a miles northwest OF
LESSON NOTES.
The New Governor. Festus.-24:27
After Paul had lain in prison for two
years Felix was removed on account of
grave complaints of his conduct and
Porcius Festus was appointed in his
stead. Festus was much better man
than Felix.
Pauls Address.-26:1-23 Festus and
his brilliant court King Agrippa, Queen
Bernice, the principal officers of the
troops quartered at Cesarea and the
most influential of the civil magistrates,
were gathered together. Festus arose
and stated the object of their coming to-
gether. The prisoner had been ve-
hemently accused as one worthy Of
death. He had appealed to Caesar and
must be sent to Rome. But Festus. not
being well acquainted with Jewish laws
end customs. could not make out any
definite charge against him that would
be a reasonable excuse for sending him
as a prisoner to Rome. Paul began his
address with his usual polished cour-
tesy. He well knew that an awkward
and rusty weapon was of no advantage
TO the Christian warrior. Then for the
third time in the Acts is related the
story of his conversion. the wondrous
change wrought in himself by Jesus
Christ
10. 'Whercupon," after hearing the
call, IL was not disobedient unto the
Heavenly vision:" Yet the seeming cost
and the struggle were very great
20. "But showed first unto them of
Damascus" Immediately after his con-
version. Then after two or three years
he returned to Damascus and preached
again. And at Jerusalem:" For a
brief time, going there from Damascus.
He also visited there. and of course
preached at other times. "Throughout
all the coasts (borders) of Judea:" The
exact time of this preaching is not
known. as no record is given of it. But
there was abundant opportunity for it
between A. D. 40, when Paul left Jeru-
salem. and A. D. 4s, when he began his
first missionary journey. "And then to
the Gentiles" over large part of the
known world. That they should re-
pent," the first, deep. essential duty.
An Interruption by Festus.-Vs. "a,
IS. "a. "Festus said with loud voice.
of astonishment and positive assurance.
Paul, thou are beside thyself:" Thou
art mad, insane; the same word that is
translated mad in the next verse.
rs. 81 am not mad:" Paul speaks for
himself, and let's Festus make the appli-
cation for himself. But speak forth
the words of truth and soberness:"
From Festus' standpoint, that of world
illness, the words of Paul were the fam
cies of a crazy, unbalanced brain; but
from PauPs standpoint, that of eternal
life and spiritual life, they were simply
true and earnest.
The Appeal to Agrippa.-Vs. 26-20.
Paul turns from Festus, and appeals to
King Agrippa 10 confess that he is
speaking not of fancies, but Of facts, of
actual occurrences.
2G. For the king knoweth of these
things:" Agrippa as jew was ac-
luaiuted with Scripture, and as a ruler
in Palestine was familiar with the facts
Of Gospel history.
p. King Agrippa, believest thou the
prophcts?" If he believed the Scrip
lures, then Paul could prove from those
premises the truth Of the Gospel he
was preceding.
2S. almost thou persuadest me to be
a Christian:" There are two quite di-
'ergcnt opinions as to the meaning of
these words. The view taken in the
common version, that Agrippa's better
nature was touched. and that he spoke
sincerely, saying in effect. If you go on
q little longer, and speak many more
such words, you will persuade even me.
he other Interpretation is that of the |
2. Y. With but little persuasion thou |
Nouldst faiu make me Christian. 1t |
vas sarcasm. |
20. 81 would to God:" earnestly de-
sire of God, the only source of such a
blessed good. Were both almost, and
altogether" (1) This is the natural
if we adopt the translation
If our authorized version in verse 20.
~ If we adopt the r. V. of verse 2s,
hen Paul's answer is: 81 would that
you were persuaded. whether with little
rouble or with great" Afford and
Prof. Riddle suppose that Paul takes up
he words of Agrippa in sense slightly
iiffcrent from that in which Agrippa
lsed them, to give point to his reply:
i could pray God that both in little and
n great measure ii. e., in everything),
lot only thou" etc. "Such as am, ex-
;ept these bonds:" The chains he had
ipon him while he was speaking. He