The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-06
TEACHERS HELP.

/. Paul COnfers with the Jews
In ROme,-ve. 17-24.
Three days Paul devoted to adjusting
himself to his new conditions in the
great city. Rome at this period. accord
ing to the best authorities, contained
population of more than two millions.
crowded within circuit of little more
than twelve miles. In this dense popu
lation, living in many stored buildings
on narrow streets. Paul must secure his
own hired house. This may we'll have
been his first work. We conjecture that
he was supplied with the means for
maintaining such home by his fellow
Christians. During his two years of
detention by the Roman authorities at
Cesarea he had been in constant COM
munication with his fellow believers:
and they must have followed him in his
varying fortunes with intense interest
Now that he was for an indefinite period
to be kept under constraint in Rome it
would be the natural desire of all inter-
ested Christians that he should be
maintained in such commodious lodg-
ings as would serve as the headquarters
of the Christian cause at the capital.
Such is our conf scture; and it seems
supported by his acknowledgment OF
contribution made by the church at
Philippi Phil. iv. 10). His temporary
home must have been spacious, to re-
ceive the numerous companies OF be-
levers and inquirers that sought the
great apostles presence.
After he had secured for himself his
lodgings he sent for the influential Jews
of the city to come to him. that he might
explain to them why he jew was
brought to the city a prisoner, bound
with chain. When a delegation of
i, these Jews came to him he addressed
them as brethren and told to them his
story. He was not, he declares, pris
oner because Of any enmity he had ever
shown to the race of Israel. He narrated
his experience at the temple. where he
was. when quietly worshipping. beset by
a Jewish rabble. from which he was
rescued by the Roman soldiers. 1t was
not his wish to appeal to Cesar,-that
Is, as a Roman citizen to demand that
his case be tried in the imperial court
at Rome; but bis Jewish enemies COM
PEELED him. When the Roman author
tiles in Jerusalem would liberate him
as an innocent man, the Jews spoke
against it and conspired against his life.
He could not hope for just judgment in
his case except through the exercise of
his Roman right of appeal. Paul would
have his brethren understand therefore
that he had made this appeal. which
he knew was in their eyes apparent re-
creancy to Israel in that it was an &C.
acknowledgement Of the Roman over Israel,
only as a last resort. Not as an &C.
cuser OF his nation, not to secure any
condem nation of his people. had he
come TO Rome. 1t was rather,-and
here he touched upon bis real purpose
in speaking to the Jews,-because of the
hope of Israel that he was bound with
his chain. The Roman jews assured
him that they had no prejudice against
him; no word. whether by letter or Jew
ish visitor from Jerusalem, had been
spoken to his harm. This on its face is
not unlikely; for Paul in the Roman
prison had been almost forgotten by his
enemies But the Roman jews could
not now be otherwise than curious as TO
what Paul regarded as the hope of Israel.
They had known of Christians only as a
sect everywhere spoken against; they
expressed desire to hear the Gospel
intelligently and authoritstively ex-
planned.
A day was appointed for Paul to pre-
sent the Gospel TO the Jews in Rome.
They came to him into his lodgings in