The Brinkley argus., 1909-11-12
Paul a Prisoner In Rome
suslay sshssl Lessos fer Ksv. lA, 1893
 Specially Arranged for This Paper

verses 30. si Coiul,S TrxT.-"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for 1t Is the pow. ar of God unto salvation in everyone tna' veiIevefh.''--i.cni 1.i6. 70 TIMis-The wreck, November. A. D. oF rI.ACE.-Eome. Paul is in his own rcd house under guard.
 slo estions and Practical Thoughts.
 The Triple Test of Character and Destiny.
 Righteousness. Temperance. and Judgment to Co
 Arp,ipd to the l ostle Paul and to Gov. Felix.
 i. IcR the Apc~i;e Paul Stood the Test. ThS Test Applied.-Vs. 1-9. In our last lesson we left Paul under guard in the governors palace at Cesarea
 Five days later ceputation arrived from Jerusalem bearing charges against the prisoner-Aranias, the high priest who had ordered an om- cer to smite Paul on tLe mouth TOT declaring his innocence. the most in' fiuential of the Jewish rulers; certain elders who would confirm the charges against Paul; and an eloquent Roman lawyer named Tertullus whom they brought with them on account or ms surcrior knowledge of Roman law and methods of court procedure, his skill as a pleader, and the fact that Roman lawyer would have more in fiuence, az al unbiased man, in Rom an court.
 The Court Scene. Felix was the judge. There were no jurors. Paul was brought into the court.
 Tertullus as skillful advocate opened his plea with eulogfum both delicate and artful. He based 1t on the one virtue on which the orator could tfathfully hang any praise, his energy and vsgor in suppressing rob berries and rebellion. "He seized an6 sent to Rome a famous brlgand called Eleazer, who had ravaged the country for nearly 20 years; he represed tn. rebellion of the Egyptian impostor; and quieted sedition .hich arose between the Jewish and creek inhab ,itaf,fs of Cesarea."
 Hence. vby thee we enjoy great quietness" fv. 9. "iTrst, notwith- standing, he was probably the worst governor that Judea ever had. He haG a number of the Sicar:i continually in his employment; and instead O. pacifying the Jews. he only famed the spirit of sedition."
 So that as whole the ecomium was historically false, and the most exaggerated flattery, when he spoke of .the very worthy deeds done unto this nation by thy provi- dence"
 The witnesses from Jerusalem tes- tffied that these things were SO {
 Il. How Paul Stood the Test--As Gold Tried in the Fire.-vs. 1921.
 The First Charge Disproved by 2 simple statement of fscts. "IIe went up to Jerusalem for to worship (v. III. He did not do one of the things mith which hs was charged | He JCH0 DSE-tA IO I4Ot, GAAs NAu 0Ai the riotins that was done.
 Panrs Answer to the Second Charge was that he acknowledged that he was "a ringleader of tie sect of the Nazarenes,' but denied that it was heresy against the Jewish religion.
 l. He worshired the same Gcd (14l "the God of my (opr) fathers" but after the Way which they call a sect" (R. VI.
 2. He believed In the Jewish law and prophets. From them he knew that Jesus was the Messiah.
 The Sum of His Answer was (16) T exercise myself" l practice these principles as an athlete trains anf disciplnes himself by continual prac tice of the art by which he hopes te win, as an art that Fequires practice efoF it's perieetign tconpare I eor 9:a7i John s:S1.
 III, The Test Applied to Felix.-Vs 22-25. The Decision Delayed 22. When Felix heard these things. both sides of the case. having more perfect" exact. knowledge of tha' way Better ..the way" He knew the character of Christians too wei to believe the charges against Paul Hence, he deferred them.' under the pretense that he wanted to hear iron Lysias, the chief captain, when ht would know the uttermost of youl matter"
 Paul Two Years Prisoner, but witl the utmost. indulgence and liberty compatible with his safe keer:ng.
 What Was the Value of This I'm prisonnent in Attaining the Great Pur pose of Paui's Life? 1. 1t was on the way to Rome.- under the beat circum stances.
 !. It was the means of preparing him for his best work when he reached that city.
 8. Paul had been in poor health and he needed the rest under the care of Luke, the beloved physician.
 PauI's Discourse. 25. An effort tc persuade Felix and Drusilla- to repent ana become Christians.
 ]. He discoursed 'sof righteousness the duty and privilege of true life with all the fruits 0f the Spirit. the beauty of holiness, which the gospel will produce in the hearts of those who obey Jesus the Christ
 2 Temperance" control over all ones passions and appetites. and all the faroes of tue soul under the con