The St. Louis Republic., 1903-05-09
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
For May II. "Paul Before Felix
(Acts, xiv, 10-26.)

BY the Reverend J. e Gilbert D. D. Secretary
OF American Society OF Religious Education
CONNECT1ON-Under a strong guard the
Captain sent Paul TO Felix. the Governor.
residing at Caesarea. accompanied by a let
ter of information concerning his arrest. y
few days later Ananias. the high priest.
with the elders descended TO CaeSarea 10
prosecute the case. bringing lawyer to
represent them. When the trial occurred
there was the usual decorum that marked
Roman court. IN striking contrast with
the disorder that characterized the pro-
ceedings before the Sanhedrin. TeTtullus
made the accusation. in which he fiattered
Felix to gain favor, declared that Paul was
troublesome fellow. rinsleader of the
Nazarenes, who ought to have been dealt
with according to Jewish law. but that the
chief Captain had taken him out OF their
hands. 1t was evident that he desired the
Governor to send Paul back to jerusalem
fcr q church trial.
with excessive fiattery Verse and q,
which must have been as offensive as it
was false. Pauls salutation was respect
full. simple. manly. Verse 1o) He ex-
pressed his pleasure and gratitude in be-
ing permitted to plead his own cause be-
fore one who had been many years a
past service of Felix was in no sense COM
plimentary-it was a mere statement OF fact
for purpose. Tactirus. Roman histor-
ian Of that time. informs US that the Gov
ernor had been several times involved With
the Jewish patriots and zealots, whom he
describes under the name OF robbers. upon
deed. his term Of Office was full OF troubles.
caused by the turbulent Jews. Paul in
tended to say he considered it very for
tunate that he stood before ruler who.
by such experience. has learned the charac- :
ter OF the people. and was prepared and
disposed to Judge rightly. 49,
the ability of Felix. the apostle pleaded not
guilty to the charges made against him.
He maintained the plea by three considera-
tons: First. only twelve days had elapsed
since he entered Jerusalem. and five of those
had been spent in Caesarea, period of time
altogether too brief for any seGitiOus move
ments verse q: second. during the week OF
this stay in Jerusalem one had found
them in the temple. nor in the synasoSues.
nor in the streets disputing with any man
or creating q disturbance OF any kind (verSe
12): third. there was absolutely no proof
that could be presented to support the ac-
cusation made. These three points formed a
speech Of Tertullus. who claimed that Paul
was "a pestilent fellow, q mover of sedi-
tion.'' or. In other words. 4 disturber of the
peace. an enemy of the government.
CONFEsSION-Tertull had also af-
frmed that Paul was "a ringleader OF the
sect OF the Nazarenes" verse 81. intending
thereby to make him an offender against
the church. and to cast contempt upon
Christianity. In his reply Paul confessed
that he was Christian whom the Jews
religion against unjust aspersions. He wor-
SHIPPED the God of his fathers Cvcrse ~,
the God of abraham. the father OF the ma
tion. III Tim. !. - He believed all
accepting the Old Testament as the rule
Of his faith and practice Oh Tim Iii. l6.)
He had hope toward God (verse I5,, expect
ing a resurrection Of the just and the un-
Just as all his countryInen did. Oan.
Xii, ~ Finally. he was conscientious, seek