Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-10-19

1t is possible to use the Bible either
rs music box or telephone. We
should let it speak the words of the
Lord Jesus to us and our pupils. This
esson occurred probably A. D. &c. per-
aaps in August, the day after last Sun
lays lesson. This was the same hall
where Agrippa<had heard the people
FALLING him god (Acts 12). Paul,
The center of all interest, is chainef !
10 his Roman guardians. The prisoneN
has been vehemently accused as oIfS
worthy of death and had appealed to
Caesar, but Festus, not being well ac-!
luainted with Jewish laws and GUS
oms, could net 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.
|. Paul, the Preacher >(Tv. 1-23). i
This was one of the great occasions
N the life of this great man. Paul
was preaching to a king and woman
If great influence Ca sermon which
little changed their lives evidently, |
md also to the coming ages. This
sing and queen were welded to their
nfafhy, God had in mind Or that
lay an audience in comparison with I
which that which Paul saw faded iato
oblivion. Notice his argument. (Df
BE begins with his own experience. +
In these verses there are over forty
personal pronouns.
Men do not need SO much light as
hey do need heat and Paul was
speaking out Of the hat throbs e. his
personal experience. PAUL stood bel
fore them living miracle, an incar-
nate argument. We might tremble at
the doctrine of the resurrection. lie
knew it was q 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.
Pauls plea was for the Roman as
well as the Jew. Considering his per-
sonal testimony, he declares that he
is a true Jew of the strictest sect wv.
4-S), and as such he lived in the
"hope of the promise" as predicted by
Isaiah and Daniel. That promise has
been fulfilled in Jesus, the crucifed,
who rose again from the dead, and
Paul adds, 81 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 his Damascus
journey and the conversation held on
the road with the risen Lord.
The gospel Paul preached was to
lead men into the kingdom of God
that they might receive forgiveness
of sins and an inheritance among
those who were fitted for that inheri-.
lance, who were the sanctified. For
this cause the Jews went about to kill.
him.
II. Agrippa, the Doubter wv. 24-32) j
Five ways are suggested as to the
reception of Paul's message. The
oppose. Felix's way was 'go thy way
this time. When l have mere CON-
venient season I will call" TestuS'l
way wv. 24-26) was to charge Paul
with madness. Much learning Qiteral-
ly, many writings) was turning him
mad, making him lunatic, dreamer
one who lived in the atmosphere of
wild imaginings. Paul'S reply was
not harsh. Most noble Festus" Gam.
r. Il am not mad, but speak words of
soberness," words OF eternal life and
spiritual life (of sound scase) that
We're true and earnest Paul thereupon
appeals to King Agrippa to confirm
his statements ". 2-C). The crazy
man is he who lives for this world
rather than for eternity. The devil
has cheated many man out of eter-'
nal 5ife By the method which Festusi
followed. He has also cheated many
a Christian out Of the larger life in
the same way. Paul's appeal 10 Agrip-
pa Wv. 27-29) is very suggestive.
Some people believe that the con-
tents of the prophecies are of no pres
ent day value, and some are trying to-
break their force. Some declare they,
cannot be true, yet these prophecies,
are the ones that declare that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son Of Cod" The,
literal translation of Agrippa 3 answer
is, In little thou persuadest me to.
be a. Christian" 1t is said that Agrip-
pa said this in sarcasm, but, like many
another attempted jest. it revealed the.
real state of the heart
Agrippa saw the cost Of further con-
sideration of the claims of Christ and
was unwilling to pay the price wv,
30-32). Thus Agrippa's soul was lost
and yet he was within one step of
eternal life. Paul with great dignity
| took advantage Of Agrippa's ambigu-
Gus expression, and said 81 would to
God that whether with little or with.
much, not only thou but also all that
| hear me this day might become such
/