The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-06
THE sUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
For June IA. paul at Rome
acts xviii, 16-24-31.l

lNTRODUCTION-In our time many min
listers of Christ visit the city of Rome for
pleasure and instruction. Frequently their
expenses are paid by affectionate congrega-
tons. Wandering along the Streets gazing
upon the arches, columns. palaces and ca
thedrals. resting in the parks or examining
the works Of art in numerous galleries.
they derive constant delight and profit
But but the great apostle to the Gentiles, peer
less in intellect and devotion. went TO Rome
prisoner. Although treated with more
than ordinary consideration. through the In
huence of Julius. who had brought him
from Caesarea acts xvii g. a soldier kept
him Verse 1S) in chains and limited his free
dom. Wherever he went he was accom-
panied by one who had authority and at
any moment might control him. What will
he do, what can he do under such forbid
ding conditions?
ASSEMBLED-The sterling worth and
burning zeal of Paul are soon displayed
He does not spend time in sightseeing At
the end of three days, short time indeed.
for rest and for the adjustment of his
apartments, he enters upon his work. seem
inSly Indifferent to the splendor Of the CAPT.
tai OF the Caesars. With his old love for
his countrymen Rom. tx. 81 he called the
chief of the resident Jews to meet him.
Verse IL Probably he expected their sym
patty and cooperation. for they who had
wandered into distant parts OF the Empire.
being under less control of the hierarchy,
! were more liberal than those at Jerusalem.
When they were assembled he. delivered q
brief address. highly respectful. beginning
after the manner common with the rabbi in
public assemblies, saying. Men and breth-
EXPLAINED-In his address PAM ex-
ored to convince his hearers OF his inno-
cence He was delivered to the Roman Off
Gals at Jerusalem by his own people, al
though he had committed no oftense verse
~. an assertion which he had made before
Lysias. Acts xiv. T. The Roman officers
on examination; had found no fault with
frf1 cod rnla
ls. referring to Agrippa'S statement. tActS
! XVI, 3D. But because the Jews opposed the
release verse 49, and proposed to take him
back to Jerusalem for trial tActs XIV, 81. he
had appealed to Caesars court, and so es-
capped from his enemies. That straightfor-
| ward story did not. however. disclose. the
whole TRUTH and Paul would keep nothing
i back. He informed his hearers plainly con-
corning the cause of his arrest Verse ID
| For the people of Israel he said. he was
| bound; The expression had but one mean
| ing. the Messianic hope fulfilled in Jesus
(Acts XVI. 6. D.. a bold announcement that
| he was A Christian.
| REPLIED-The answer OF the Jews to
| Paul's address was evasive. They were
evidently afraid either to befrlend or oppose
him Shortly before because Of certain zen. EN-
| had been expelled from Rome. and they
were anxious not 70 be subjected again to
| SO degrading an af1iction. They therefore
professed TO have received no communica-
ton from the authorities in Judea concern
| ing the apostle. a singular statement. II
view oil the WHICH ne
| Verse ~ They also expressed their desire
| to hear him concerning Christianity. regard
\ ed as a sect, about which they had heard
many unfavorable comments. Verse y 1t
! is possible that they were ignorant OF the
| little congregation of believers to whom
| Paul had addressed his letter (Rom. !. d,
| who might easily be lost In a great city or
! two millions This reply of the chief men
| was evidently intended to give them time
| to consider what was the best course to
be pursued.
| EXPOUNDED-It Is said that the Jew
| ish residents In Rome numbered 5000 at
| the time of PauTs visit. that they had sew
| en- synagogues and that many learned men
| were among them as teachers AT time
| appointed the chief men assembled a.
| Pauls own lodgings to hear his exposition
of the religion and the claims of Christ
Verse 3D. He occupied an entire day.
l showing on. OF the law of Moses and out
OF the writings of the prophets. the very
| scriptures which these men held to be ga
\ cred. that Jesus was the Messiah. 1t was
| the same old method which our Lord en-
ployed duke xiv. % with his disciples,
l which Paul followed other occasions.
/ tActs xvii 81 That the company
/ was not wholly unimpressed is proved by
| the length of the argument and the fact
1 that some believed verse 2D, although the
greater part rejected the testimony and
] chung to their ancient faith. This might
! have been expected. II is no easy matter