The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-13
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Nov. IA, 1s97-Acts xviii, 1871.

For rhetorical purposes, the ignoble character
of Pauls entrance to Rome may have been ex-
aggerated. Four months had elapsed since the
shipwreck The subsequent voyage had been pros
porous. For week Paul had refreshed himself
in the scenery of the Vesuvian bay and the con-
genial society of believers. Two admiring escorts
came to meet him in successive stage 5. He en-
tered Rome a Roman. His appeal to Caesar
invested him with dignity On personal grounds,
he was treated with marked consideration by the
officer in charge. All deductions made,
however, the contrast between the might of Nero
and the weakness of Paul remains. 1t is the
contrast between the material and the spiritual.
The kingdom of heaven was entering the imperial
city without observation and in the servile form
OF a Jewish prisoner. But if the augurs of the
capital could have dscerned the sign they would
have raised a louder cry than when Hannibal
stood at the gate. Hand of Providence
never was more conspicuous than when it brought
Paul to Rome His arrival at the center of the
world-empire and the acme of his own moral
power were simultaneous. Previous experiences
were of the nature of discipline. Now fully
equipped, his person projected by an imprison-
ment which did not restrict the forms of evange
listc effort most needed at that iuncture he rec
ognized and seized his opportunity He was not
to go to the world. The world to come to
him. No more toilsome and dangerous journey
ings. The house which the lberality of Chris
ta1s ms enabled him to rent ecpsed any oracle h in
tabished custom-''the Jew irst''-he gave his
felow-countrymen the initial audience That
cursed for the sake of kinsmen according to the
flesh, that constantly breathed its hearts desire
love OF country could not brook any insinuation
against itself. Paul hastens to explain that his
rot prompted by any unpatriotc motive nor any
Thee is no finer ms on PaT no6e
to that charity which beareth all things and en-
his cruel treatment at the hands of the Jews-''I
was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the
conspiracy Again his very chain ought to bind
s on h The u h eE Of of the
which they all alike indulged was the cause OF
probation. First the population resident in Paies-
tine; next the Jews Of the dispersion in Asia and
of Rome. Individuals believed. the nation
obdurate. With broken heart the captive mis-
the solemn t strains Of the prophet
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Men and brethren: Address of personal nature.
intended to counterfeit prejudice arising from
Pauls imprisonment appeal to Caesar and
ISLANDERS posslbA brought from Judea.-Lange.
Hope of Israel: Intimates that truest hope of
Jews found it's fulfllment in the facts of Chris
tianity.-Butler.
Neither received letters: Why Judean Jews did
not forward accusation against Paul to Roman
Jews not known. Probably regarded hope
less and abandoned observation-disclosures.
Desire to hear: Made no demonstration against
officer Of Nero's househod. and Jews themselves
were subject to persecution =, ros,,s
all the conditions of the Messiah We're fulfilled.
-Arnot.
From morning until evening: Instance of Paul's
toll to win his countrymen to Jesus-BaTnes.
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
l. Extremes of society meet in Pauls reception
room-from the fugitive Onesmus to those of
Caesars household. Seneca and Burrus, the noble
but unheeded monitors of Nero were not unlikely
visitors. Soldier tradesman, artisan-whoever
came-heard the gospel from the lips of tireless
preacher
q AS fruit of this Church in the house"
goodly and ever-increasing company of converts
arose. Above the putrid stream of depravity they
emerged, walking in light. So conspicuous did
the Christian Church Immediately become that
Nero could easily make it the scapegoat for pop
ular fury on account of the burning of Rome.
This was the easier because the Christian teach
ing concerning the burning of all the works in
g. PauTs influence was not confined with the
twelve-mie circuit of the city. Standing near the
golden milestone, he made 1t reflect new bright
with every OUTGOING legion marched his converts.
Every comnercial caravan was Joined by some
To the uttermost limits Of the empire the gospel
went.
T. Criticism has found the close of Acts .un-
rhetorically abrupt. Explanations are volun-
teered. (a) Luke intended to write another vol
ume Oh Conclusion is lost (c) Writing was in
terrupted. I'D More consequence to put the church
at once in possession of this history than to keep
it back for the sake of what might come to be
s. Is not the premise assumed in these explana-
tions? The kingdom of God is the jewel that
holds together the ends of this golden narrative
Luke is not writing biography OF Paul but
imtabe skill he let's Paul slip from the narrative,
in order that nothing may intervene between the
says ''Theophilus had now read enough in order
to close with hallelu1ah.