Middletown transcript., 1916-10-21
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 22
PAUL's DEFENSE BEFORE
AGRIPPA.


as a music box or telephone. We
should let 1t speak the words Of the
Lord Jesus to us and our pupils. This
lesson occurred probably A. D. 59 per-
haps In August, the day after last Sun
days lesson. This was the same hall
where Agrippa had heard the people
calling him a god (Acts 12). Paul,
the center of all interest, is chained
to his Roman guardians. The prisoner
has been vehemently accused as one
worthy Of death and had appealed to
Caesar, but Festus, not being well ac-
quainted with Jewish laws and Gus
toms, could not make any definite
charge against him before the Roman
court. Hence he turns him over to
Agrippa, who was well acquainted
with matters Of Jewish law.
I. Paul, the Preacher (vv. 1-23).
This was one of the great occasions
in the life of this great man. Paul
was preaching to king and woman
of great influence "a sermon which
little changed their lives evidently,
and also to the coming ages. This
king and queen were welded to their
infamy. God had In mind on that
day an audience in comparison with
which that which Paul saw faded into
oblivion. Notice his argument. ~
lie begins with his own experience.
In these verses there are over forty
personal pronouns. He, himself. was
IA living fact of the wOndrOus change
which Jesus wrought In the life Of
man Such testimony Is the most ef-
fective teaching.
Men do not need so much light as
they do need heat, and Paul was
speaking out Of the hot thr0bs Of his
personal experience. Paul stood be-
fore them living miracle. an incar-
nate argument. We might tremble at
the doctrine of the resurrection. He
knew 1t was a marvellous thing that
God shout raise the dead but that
change had been wrought in him
which was equivalent to the miracle
of raising one from the grave.
PauI's plea was for the Roman as
well as the Jew. Considering his per-
sOnal testimony, he declares that he
Is true Jew of the strictest sect (vv.
4-8). and ss such he lived in the
hope of the promise" as predicted by
Isaiah and Daniel. That promise has
been fulfilled In Jesus, the crucified,
who rose again from the dead. and
Paul adds. Il have seen him. for
which hopes sake, King Agrippa.
am accused of the Jews" (2) wv. g.
15) Paul tells the audience that he,
himself, was once a jealous perSe-
cutOr of the Christians, more so than
those who are now prosecuting him.
being exceedingly mad against
them" He then relates bis Damascus
journey and the conversation held on
the road with the risen Lord. Tbs
metaphor of kicking against the
pricks seems to be that the more you
resist the power that is urging you on.
the more painful 1t will be. 1t is OF no
use to resist. (3) Paul shows the aim
and purpose of the religion of Jesus.
He, the servant, h to be minister.
First Of all he had received forgive
ness. That forgiveness carried with
1t responsibility of a twOfOld nature,
(a) to be a minister, literally an as
Sistant, and (b) q witness (martyr), |
the human side. witness of the pres
ent as we'll as the things which should
happen In the future, as God gave
him revelation during his experience. |
(See II Cor. 4 4:6; Eph. :1S.) Second,
IL turned them from darkness to tight |
the darkness Of ignorance and sin unto |
him who Is the Light of the World"
(JOhn 9:5l, and from the power Of |
Satan, the inveterate adversary Of God |
in all that Is good (see Eph. l:21; I
s 10; Col. 2:1-15; II Thes. 2:9) unto
God.
The gospel Paul preached wRs to
that they might receive forgiveness
Of sins and an inheritance among
those who were fitted for that inhers-
tance, who were the sanctified. For
this cause the Jews went about to kill
him.
u. AgriPpa, the Doubter (vv. 24-S2).
Five ways are suggested as to the
Of Paul's message. The
nigh priests way was to hate him and
oppose. Felix's way was "go thy way
his time. When have a more con-
Venient season will call" Fesrus'
way (vv. 24-26) was to charge Paul
With madness. Much learning literal.
y, many writings) was turning him
mad, making him Iunatic, dreamer,
me who lived la the atmosphere of
Wild lmaginings. PauPs reply was
lot harsh. Most noble Festus' Gam.
R.) Il am not mad, but speak words OF
;ObernesS," words of eternal life and
spiritual life (of sound sensel that
we're true and earnest. Paul thereupOn
ipPeals to King Agrippa to coutirrn
ais statements ". 2-6). The crazy
nan is be who lives for this world
'ather than for eternity. The devil
las cheated many a man oHt OF eter-
lal life by the method which Festus
'olIowed. He has also cheated meny
Christian out Of thA larger life 10
ne same way. Paul's appeal to Agrip
- tvv. 27-29l Is very suggestive.
Some people believe that the con-
ents Of the prophecies are Of NO pres
nj day value. and some are trying ~
freak their force. Some declare they
,aRnot be true. yet these prophecies
ire the ones that declare that Jesus
5 the Christ. the Son Of God" The
lreral translation of Agrtppa's answer
8. in a little thou persuadest me to