The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1903-05-21
GOLDEN TENT.-Hnving therefore
obtained help Of God, I cOntinue unto
tLl. -


GOLDEN TENT.-Hnying therefore
obtsiRe ed help of God, I continue unto
tLis day.-Acts 2Gi@2.
OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
Paul before Festus. 25.l-l2.
PAU. before AgrIppd. - iS-Zi.
Paul tells his experience ......ACts A-I-ls.
HIS changed life..................Acts 2o:4y-1
iauls appeal to Agrigpa. ......Acts N - -
Ess impression Pau maGe...''Aess -"'''---
TINA. ID 60 u.
fLACE.-Caesarea.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Our attention has been called to the
fact that when on trial Paul always en-
dsavored to do more than secure his
own acquittal; he sought to preach the
Gospel at the same time TO his Judges
and hearers. This he did when aG-
dressing the mob from the steps Of the
castle Antonia, when he was being ex-
amiped by Felix, and now we shall eee
how uppermost that thought was when
he was brought before Agrippa. SucA
an exhibition Of zeal for Christ ought
to thrill, shame and inspire.
Two years have passed since our last
lesson, and Paul IL It'll a prisoner at
CaesArea. Felix. the Roman governor
Of the province OF JuGea, has just been
recalled and Festus appointed 40 h.s
sucsessor. This lesson opens with the
arrival of Festus.
Ths leading men among the Jews
tried 10 take advantage Of the new
governor and his unfamiharity with
the case, and have Paul brought to
Jerusalem again, at the same time
plotting to kill him By the way. For
tunately for Paul, Festus preferred to
try b. cage ATT avn -~L .Wh-S.
the trial came, the Jews proved moth
ing but their own yenomous hatred.
This Felix knew well enough, but yet
he was their governor, and did not
want to gain their ill-will at the very
beginning of his term, and so finally
suggested another trial at Jerusalem.
Paul knew only too we'll what that
would mean, and TO avoid falling into
the hands of the Jews, he appealed to
Caesar. 1t was the lesser Of TWO evils.
Here for the third time in Acts -
told the story Of Pau!'s conyersiol,
and the tremendous impression made
upon him by his vision Of the risen
Lord.
wherefore" Referring to the rev
Ella ton of verses l2-ls. Repent and
turn to God. doing works." Norepelt-
ance that does not result in a genuine
turning of the whole life 70 God Is Of
any value. Faith thar does not in
clude works is dead. saying moth
ing but what the prophets and Moses
did say should come" Paul claims
that he has not forsaken Judaism. but
that Christianity is the fu.hllmert auG
completion Of Judaism. The Christ
must suffer-" \ truth not believed by
the Jews, and yet one which Paul says
was taught in their Scriptures.
Paul. thou art mad" The Roman
governor could not understand Pau's
enthusiasm over the alleged resurrec-
ton of Jesus. Ramsay paraphrases
his explanation thus: Paul. Paul. you
are a great philosopher, but you have
no common sense"-the natural view
for one not knowing the faith and hope
of the Jews. The king knoweth:"
Agrippa would never have said what
Festus did, for he knew the MesSianIc
hope of the Jews, as well as the facts
of the life of Christ and the spread of
Christianity. "BelieyeSt thou the
prophets" Agrippa did not answer,
but turned the question OF with light
sneer that probably raised laugh
among the gay courtiers who througed
the hall. II was all he could DO, for
he was not willing TO face the truth.
The revised version probably gives the
true Interpretation, which amounts 20
this: "Iou think jt'S an easy matter 10
make a Christian Of me,'
This was not regular trial for the
appeal to Caesar had taken the case
ont Of the hands OF the local author.
tiles. Paul seems 60 have been og'pg-
ing the truth too close home to the
king, and SO the hearing was cut short
and the brilliant aSSemhlage filed out
of the hall, but the impression Paul
had made on them was decidedly favor
able,
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
BE not yourself disobedient 10 the
heavenly vision, The risen Jesus has
often appealed 10 YOU,
Show Your obedience TO Christ, both
by accepting Him and then by labor
ing for the salvation of others.
If YOU are His disciple, Christ has
chosen you for special work. Find out
what that work is.
Iron bonds are better than the de-
ceptiye liberty of the wicked, Paul
was Christs free man, though bound.