Evening star., 1916-10-21
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

the resurrection. He pointed out the
Inconsistency of holding him to be
criminal for believing in the resurrec-
ton of the Christ since it was in. ac-
The grave of the Lord Jesus was for
the disciples the grave of their nation
al hope. but His resurrection from the
dead revived that hope.
Paul points to his course of action in
prosecuting the followers of Jesus as
convincing proof Of his Jewish patriot-
ism. Following what he considered to
be his duty Paul had shut the saints,
or the Christian disciples, up in
prison. voted in favor Of their death.
PEELED them to blaspheme, raved
against them and even prosecuted
them in various cities. Against that
dark picture the darkest he ever paint
ed of himself. Paul recounts the story
of his conversion, as the only salts
factory explanation of the marvellous
transformation. that was the result
of his vision of Jesus when Christ
conquered PauIs opposition. and COM
missioned him in the missionary sery-
ice.
In the third account given in Acts of
Paufs conversion. there appears some
differences which. as Sitter has point
ed out are only apparent and vanish
not have referred to the disciples as
saints in his address before the mob
because they would have resented it,
so he spoke of them then as "men and
women" He adds here some details
that he had not referred to in his pre-
vious vision of the Lord, that revealed
Paufs shortcomings and Christ's char
acter.
Religion had always meant for Paul
life of obedience, SO he at once put
himself on the roll of the Masters VOL
untsers. who went forth in obedience
TO the Lords commands. Paul dared
not disobey the vision of the Savior.
Paufs gospel, that he proclaimed
the divine commission, was a threefold
message-repentance faith and obe-
dience.
Paurs passionate appeal to believe
in the resurrection probably caused
Festus to suggest that Paul was in
sane The Roman procurator was be-
ing moved by the eloquence and ear
| nestness of Paul. and he knew 1t not
Frequently men. when under great con-
viction. try to stif1e their own convic-
tions by raising up questions concern
ing the preachers personality and
preaching Paul. by his denial and ap-
peal to Agrippa. who did not deny the
| truth of the apostles statements. and
who thus tacitly admitted their truth
fulness. had satisfied Festus as to the
| facts. which was the foundation of his
faith. Still he had not secured the ver-
i dict that he sought. Even when they
acquitted him. Paul was not satisfied,
for he had failed to win Asrippa for
| Christ and His cause.
| The apostle was undoubtedly dis.
| appointed at the result Of his greatest
| effort. For 1t was not his defense. but
!, the conversion Of his hearers to Christ
that he had aimed at securing by the
recital of his personal experience His
eloquence had been parted by Roman
skepticism. The sword Of the Spirit
had failed to penetrate the Jewish
sneer Of the king, who dismissed the
court when Paurs preaching was max /
ing him feel the power OF the gospel OF
Christ.
Paurs defense before Agrippa , did
not furnish Festus with any dehnite in
formation that he could use In making
his report OF the case to Rome, for N
the kings opinion Paul might have
been released had he not appealed "a
Caesar. Agrippa's verdict was an i'm.
piled censure OF Festus. who ought tc
have seen to 1t that the apostle, a. a
Roman citizen. had received justice by
releasing him from prison. so that Pau
would not have been compelled 70 ap.
peal to the emperor, which took the
case out of the governors hands. From
the treatment afterward accorded Pau
AZ Rome. 1t Is evident that Festus prob.
ably expressed the opinion that the
prisoners guilt was doubtful and rec.
commended him TO the clenency Of
S