The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-23
Paul Before Festus and Agrippa Sunday School Lesson for Oct. "A, 1909
 Specially Arranged for This Paper

GOLDEN TEXT.-"I know whom l have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have com mittcd unto him against that day."-2 Tim. 1:l2
 TIME-Autumn of A. D. B or in GO.
 PLACE.-C Cesarea. the Roman capital of Palestine. Herod Agrippa IT., was king of the regions north of the Sea of Cali lee. with his capital at Ccsarea Philippi.
 Suggestion and Practical Thought.
 Three ways of treating the gospel:
 EXemplified by three representative men-the Apostle Paul; the Roman Governor Festus; King Herod Agrippa II.
 Preliminary Events. An Interesting Story-Acts 25:1-12. First. The new governor. At the close of two years in prison under Felix, there was change of governors. and Porcius Fes- tus entered upon his duties.
 We know nothing concerning him ex. cept from the Acts and Josephus. "Jo sephus tells us that he governed his stormy province with a wise, firm rule, putting down the Sicarii (assassins), and other predatory companies, who were then harassing Judea. He finds no fault with Festus."
 Second. The Plot to Take Paul's Lifeline first thing the new govern or did after landing at Caesera was to go up to Jerusalem, the Jewish capital, where were centered the most difficult persons and questions with which his administration would have to do.
 The Jewish rulers devised an inge- nious plot to obtain possession of Paul. governor all the charges Tertullus had brought against Paul, and these charges were chiefly for breaking the Jewish law. On the way from Caesera to Jerusalem they proposed to assaa- sinate Paul, just as they had hoped to do two years before, but now with much better chances than before of accomplishing their purpose.
 Third. The Appeal to Caesar.-On returning to Cesarea. accompanied by the Jewish rulers, Governor Festus summoned Paul into court where they emphasized these (v. ? many and grievous complaints and asked Paul
  lem for his trial.
 Paul stood up -four square to all the winds that blow" for his rights as Roman citizen. His independent manhood speaks out: q defy their charges; I will not go to Jerusalem to be tried by my enemies; I appeal unto Caesar"
 1. Paul's Discourse Before King Agrippa; Revealing How He Treated Jesus Christ and His GOspel.--Acts 25: 13-26:23. The Royal Assemblage.- King Herod Agrippa made a visit of congratulation to Governor Festus. With him came the beautiful and fas- cinating Bernice, who was both his sis ter and his illegal wife. She was also the sister of Drusilla the wife of Felix, and a dissolute
 Festus was puzzled to know what charges to send with Paul to Rome. For Paul was no such criminal as the Jews tried to make him out. He had broken no Roman law. Hence he asked Agrippa, who was a Jew, to help him out of this dilemma.
 Pauls strongest argument was the fact that he (v. 19) was not disobe dient unto the heavenly vision," but he practiced what he believed, and gave his whole life, amid labors and perils and weariness. in hunger and thirst, and cold and nakedness, perse cution. stonngs, stripes above meas ure, shipwrecks and painfulness e Cor. ID, to urging Jews and Gentiles to (v. 20) repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance" as he himself had done.
 The charges against Paul were false. For the Jews (v. 2D were about to kill" him because he proclaimed the very Messiah they were expecting. the fulfillment of their hopes.
 22 Having therefore obtained help of God" Help" in the Greek meant originally an alliance against enemies. such aid as warrior receives from auxiliary or allied forces. God was Paul's powerful ally. Witnessing both to small and great" referring to age, rank, and position. Paul treated all alike, rich and poor, learned and un- learned, obscure and famous, despised and honored Saying none other things" etc.
 The Decision Of the Court-Vs. 3O 32 The court decided that Paul was innocent, and might have been set at liberty had he not appealed to Caesar; but that the appeal must stand. The whole process of two years and more, at Jerusalem and Cesarea, ended in a public and decisive acquittal, Claudius Lysias, Festus and Agrippa. had each declared him innocent; three times was it publicly announced of the apostle, as of his Lord, that he had done (v. 3l) nothing worthy of death" But this decision was the