The Carlisle independent., 1909-11-18
Paul a Prisoner In Rome Sunday Seheel Lessen for Nev. IA, 1909
 Specially Arranged for This Paper

LESSON TExT.-Acts 24 Memory verses 25 &.
 GOLDEN TExT-"Herein do exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God. and toward men" Acts A:1S.
 TIME.-Spring of A. D. B7 or 5S, and the two succeeding years.
 PLACE-Cesarea on the Mediterranean. the Roman capital of Judea
 Suggestion and Practical Thought.
 Closing Scenes in Saint Pauls Life.
 l. The Journey Toward Rome by Sea from Malta.-Vs. 11-14 In our last lesson we saw Paul and his com panions ministering to the sick in Malta, and receiving many honors from the grateful inhabitants. They had lost everything in the wreck, and were in need of many things
 Early in the spring they embarked In another ship from Egypt, named the Dioscuri, or The Twin Brothers or Caster and Pollux who were the twin brothers.
 The First Landing was made at Sy- racuse, the capital of Sicily, so to 100 miles sail from Malta. Here they remained three days. From Sy- racuse they made a wide circuit, which required frequent tacking or alteration of the ships course on ac- count of head winds, and "by good seamanship were able to work up to Rhegium.
 The Third Landing was at PuteoIi, the seaport of Rome, though 150 miles away
 Here they remained seven days.
 II. The Journey by Land, and the Reception by the Roman Christians Vs. 15-22. First From Puteoli they marched B miles before they reached the famous Appian Way, the great military road from Rome to southern Italy
 Fiftyseven miles farther along this road they came to Appii Forum, ie, the Market of Appius
 Here the first delegation of Roman Christians met Paul and welcomed him to the city.
 Second. Three Taverns. V. 15) And The three taverns," thirteen miles beyond Appi Forum. on the Ap- plan Way, and 30 miles rom Rome. Here a second delegation met Paul and his companions
 Whom when Paul saw. he thanked God, and took courage" The words imply that Paul had been depressed in spirit
 Paul Encouraged. When Paul was met and greeted by the Christians of Rome, his heart was lifted out of its depression.
 Reception at Rome Paul was de- livered to the authorities at Rome. but (v 16) he was suffered (permit- ted) to dwell by himself "in his own hired house" with a soldier that kept him."
 III. Pauls Life and Work at Rome. -Vs. 23-31. First. Paurs Work Through the Soldiers. The soldiers which guarded Paul were from the imperial guard" the flower of the Roman army.
 Second. His Work Among the Jews. By mutual arrangement on an appointed day the Jews came to his lodging, and Paul expounded the ges- pei of the kingdom, (v 23) "persuad. ing them concerning Jesus out of the Scriptures acknowledged by all as true.
 26. Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand" They should hear the words with the outward or. gans of hearing, but they would not understand the real meaning and pow CT of the words. And seeing ye shall see. and not perceive"
 27. Their eyes have they closed |" They themselves refused to hear and see, because they were unwilling to make the change in their lives which would be required. And should be converted" should turn round. and go back again. as God was anxious they should. And I should heal them" of their sin and dullness and disobedience. They did not wish to be healed
 Third. His Work Among the Gen. tiles. 30. For two whole years" Paul received all who came to This own hired house.
 { 31. Preaching the kingdom of God" It's truths revealed, it's motives, it's | Fisnleousness, US usefulness, it's hopes. its immortal life, all of which come through the Lord Jesus Christ the everlasting Saviour, the Son of God and the Son of Man.
 Fourth. Work; Epistles to the Churches. Fsur epistles. those to- Philemon, Ephesians, Colossians, and the Philippians were probably writ ten during this captivity: Titus and 1 Timothy after his release, and Tim othy during his second imprisonment. not long before his martyrdom.
 After several years of effective la- Dor, Paul was again apprehended. and brought second time as a prisoner to Rome. Tradition places his impris- onment in the dungeon of the Manner. tine prison. This was the Bastile of the old world" Here Jugurtha. the l African king who warred against