The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-05-08
LAC E.-Jerusalem.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The plot defeated ...........Acts = :.s-ss
TIM.-.-A. ID. 81.
PLAcE.-Jerusalem.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
This lesson follows the last without |
a break. Paul had been arrested, and |
at the opening of the lesson is carried
into the castle of Antonio, which
Joined the temple court on the north,
10 be tortured with the hope Of extort-
ing confession of his supposed guilt
from him.
Paul's speech on the stairs was In
Hebrew. Probably the chief captain
did not understand it, but he thought
| there must be something wrong with
| Paul TO throw the crowd into such a
frenzy Of rage, and he determined to
find out by torturing him. PauTs
Roman citizenship was all that saved
him from this ordeal. 1t was contrary
20 the Roman Law to torture Roman
citizen.
Paul's case was evidently too much
| for the Roman officer, but he still be-
lieysd from the actions of the Jews
that his prisoner must certainly be
guilty of something. and 80 he called
upon the Sanhcdrin. the highest coun-
ell Of the Jewish nation, to help him
get at the truth. PauI's first words IN
them were not boast Of sinless life.
but q protestation Of his loyalty as
Jew to the God of the Jews-a plea
II mot guilty" Pauls conduct.
when smtten. is in striking contrast
with that Of the Master under similar
circumstances. and yet we cannot feel
that his Indignation was unjustifiable.
Rene mber that this session of the San
hedrin was informal: that probably
the Roman officer was presiding and
not the high priest. as in regular ses-
sions: and the high priest did not wear
distinctive dress except when en-
gagged in actual service. and that Paul
had been stranger at Jerusalem for
many wears. 1t was thus natural that
Paul should not recognize the high
priest in the crowd When he discov
cred what he had done. he apologized.
The resurrection Of Christ and OF
Christians occupied very large place
in Paurs preaching. He may have
been speaking of this for Luke only
gives us snafches of what went on be-
fore the Sanhedrin-when he saw the
opportunity to divide the council
against itself and so prevent its TAX
ing any action against him. The chief
capita in, little wiser than before. took
Paul back to the castle.
The Jews Probably n mixture Of
the enemies from Asia. the most bit
Ter of the Jerusalem Sadducees. and
the order of the Assassins. spoken 1T
last week ~Bo9rd under a curse"
Invoked curse upon themselves II
they should fail TO keep their oath
Game to the chief priests" those II
the Sadducean party, Of whom Ana
Mas was one. They agreed 10 aid the
sonspirators tv. eO).
.Paul's sisters som" How he
learned We do not know Told
Paul:" Showing that Paul's friends
had access to him. -Took him by the
hand As IL he we're a mere lad The
chief captain seems 10 have sympa-
,hizcd with Paul He was probably
convinced BY this sime that the action
of the Jews was fanatical and outra-
reous. and that Paul was not guilty.
The most dangerous part Of the
tourney 10 Cacsarea was passed when
The troops reached Antipratis in the
mo. ming. The infantry returned to Je-
rnsa.em. and only the troop Of cavalry
escorted Paul the rest Of the way 10
Caesarea. where he was 10 await his
trial before Felix. His imprisonment
here lasted for two years.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
Il is a great thing 10 be able TO say
| that one is living in all good conscience
i before God.
Those who live in all good con-
| scie,.ce before God will be chsered by
| Him IN times of trouble.
These who live in all good conscience
4 before God will be watched over and
protected by Him.
Those who live in all good conscience
sefore God will be helped by Fin in
great en- erge
Those who live in OIL. good conscience
before Gcd are not tortured ~ care
and anxiety.