Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-05-20
GOLDEN TENr.-ia,ing therefore
obtained help of God. continue unto
this dHy.-Acts .G:S2.
OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.

PLACE.-Cao sarea.
NOTES AND COMMENTS
Our attention has been called to the
fact that when on trial Paul always en-
deavored to do more than secure his
own acquittal; he sought to preach the
Gospel at the same time % his judges
and hearers. This he did when add
dressing the mob from the steps of the
castle Antonio, when he was being eX-
amined 10y Felix, and now we shall see
how mppermost that thought was when
he was brought before Agrippa Such
an exhibition of zeal for Christ ought
to thrill shame and inspire.
Two years have passed since our last
lesson. and Paul is still a prisoner at
Caesarea. FeliN. the Roman governor
OF the province of Judea. has just been
recalled and Festus appointed as his
successor. This lesson opens with the
arrival of FestuS.
The leading men among the Jews
tried to take advantage of the new
governor and his unfamiliarity with
the case. and have Paul brought to
Jerusalem again, at the same time
plotting to hill him 10y the way. For
tunately for Paul. FestuS preferred to
try the ease az his own capital. When
the trial came. the Jews proved moth
ing but their own venomouS hatred.
This Felix knew well enough, but yet
he was their governor. and did not
want To gain their .ll-will at the very
beginning of his term, and 50 finally
suggested another trial at Jerusalem.
Paul kne~ only too well what that
would mean. and to avoid falling into
the hands 'of the Jews, he appealed TO
Caesar. AZ was the lesser of TWO evils.
Here for the third time in Acts is
told the story of PauI's conversion,
and the tremendous impression made
upon him 10y his vision of the risen
Lord.
Wherefore" Referring TO the rev
| citation OF verses 12-IS. Repent ana
turn toGud. doing works" Norepent-
ance that does not result in a genuine
| turning Of the whole life To God j. of
any value. Faith thai does not in
clude works j. dead. Saying moth
ing bui what the prophets and Moses
did say should come" Paul claims
that Christianity is the fulillment and
completion Of Judaism. The Christ
must suffer" \ truth NOS 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 PauI's
enthusiasm over the alleged resurrec-
ton OF Jesus. Ramsay paraphrases
his eXpla nation thus: Paul. Paul. YOU
are great philosopher, bat YOU have
no common sense"-the natural view
for one not know ing the faith and hope
Of the 3ews. The king knoweth:"
Agrippa would never have said what
Festus did. for he knew the Mes sianfc
hope Of he Jews. a. well ~ The facts
Of the life OF Christ and the spread Of
Christianity. "Believest thou the
prophets" Agrippa did not answer.
but turned the question off with u light
sneer that probably raised laugh
among the gay courtiers who thronged
the hall. IL was all he could do. for
he was not willing TO face the truth.
The revised version probably gives the
true Interpretation, which amounts to
hiA'Hs Wv iiIiAiN ~ y ~ W Easy Iildl 1T 10
make a Christian Of mel"
This was not regular trial. for the
appeal TO Caesar had taken the case
out Of the hands Of the local author
itise. Paul seems TO have been bring
ing The truth too close home TO the
king. and so the hearing was cut short
and tho brilliant assemblage 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 TO 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-
eptive liberty Of the wicked. Paul
was Christ's free man. though bound.
L.