The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-11-12
Paul a Prisoner
in Rome
Sunday School Lesson for Nov. IA, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper

err of God unto salvation in everyone that
believeth."-Rom 1:16. y
TIME.-The wreck, November, A. d. 81
or go.
PLACE.-Rome Paul is in his own
hired house under guard.
Suggestions and Practical Thoughts.
The Triple Test of Character and
Destiny.
Judgment to Come.
Applied to the Apostle Paul and to
Gov. Felix.
l. How the Apostle Paul Stood the
Test. The Test Applied.-Vs. 1-9. In
our last lesson we left Paul under
guard in the governors palace at
Cesarea.
Five days later a deputation arrived
from Jerusalem bearing charges
against the prisoner-Ananias, the
high priest who had ordered an Off
Ger to smite Paul on the mouth for
declaring his innocence, the most i'm
fluential of the Jewish rulers; certain
elders who would confirm the charges
lawyer named Tertullus whom they
brought with them on account of his
superior knowledge of Roman law
and methods of court procedure, his
skill as pleader, and the fact that
a Roman lawyer would have more in.
fiuence, as an unbiased man, in a
Roman 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 a eulogium both
delicate and artful. He based it on
the one virtue on which the orator
could truthfully hang any praise, his
energy and vigor in suppressing rob;
berries and rebellion. HE seized and
sent to Rome a famous brigand called
Eleazer, who had ravaged the country
for nearly 20 years; he represed the
rebellion of the Egyptian impostor;
and quieted a sedition which arose
between the Jewish and Greek inhab-
itants Of Cesarea." \
Hence "by thee we enjoy great
quietness" ". p. yet, notwith
standing, he was probably the worst
governor that Judea ever had. He had
a number of the Sicarii continually
in his employment; and instead Of
pacifying the Jews, he only famed
the spirit of sedition."
So that as a whole the ecomium
was historically false, and the most
exaggerated f1attery, when he spoke
of "the very worthy deeds
done unto this nation by thy provi
dence."
The witnesses from Jerusalem ties
tilted that these things were So
II. How Paul Stood the Test-As
Gold Tried in the Fire.-Vs. 1921.
The First Charge Disproved by 3
simple statement of facts. He wen
up to Jerusalem for to worship
". ~. He did not do one of the
things with which he was charged
The Jews began to riot, and did al
the rioting that was done.
Paul's Answer to the Second Chargs
was that he acknowledged that HI
was "a ringleader Of the sect of the
NaZarenes," but denied that 1t wal
heresy against the Jewish religion.
1. He worshiped the same God (14
"the God of my (our) fathers" bur
after the Way which they call
sect" Or. W.
g. He believed in the Jewish Law
and prophets. From them he knew
that Jesus was the Messiah.
The Sum of His Answer was (16'
81 exercise myself" ! practice these
principles as an athlete trains an'
disciplines himself by continual prac
tice of the art by which he hopes Il
win, as an art that requires practic'
for its perfection compare l Cor
1927; l John $3.50.
III. The Test Applied to Felix-Vs
22-25. The Decision Delayed
20. when Felix heard these things
both sides of the case. having more
perfect" exact, knowledge of tina
way" Better the way" He knew
the character of Christians too web
to believe the charges against Paul
Hence, "he deferred them" under the
pretense that he wanted to hear from
Lysias, the chief captain, when hi
would know the uttermost of YOU
matter"
Paul Two Years Prisoner, but with
the utmost indulgence and liberty
compatible with his safe keeping.
What Was the Value of This I'm
prisonment in Attaining the Great Pur
pose of Paul's Life? 1. 1t was on the
way to Rome, under the best circum
stances.
2. 1t was the means of preparing
him for his best work when he
reached that city.
3. Paul had been in poor health
and he needed the rest under the care
of Luke, the beloved physician.
Paurs Discourse. %. An effort ts
persuade Felix and Drusilla to repeni
and become Christians