Evening star., 1916-10-21
PAUL's DEFENSE BEFORE
AGRIPPA.
Acts, 26.1-32.
Golden text-1 was not -disobe-
dent unto the heavenly vision
., Acts. 26.1e.
BY Rev. Il. 7. Stevenson.

When Paul appealed to Caesar he
filled Festus with great anxiety be-
cause his dtness as ruler would be
auestioned at Rome unless he could
present some reasonable charge against
the apostle. 1t was this anxiety that
caused Festus to refer to Paurs case a
few days later. when King Agrippa
and. his sister Bernice. the sharer of
his rank and shame, came with great
pomp to Caesarea to make their cere-
monial visit to the new procurator.
Their arrival at that time was god
informed in reference to both Jewish
customs and theology. If any one
could ind reasonable charge that
would protect the procurator in the
who was also well acquainted in Rome
and knew the inside workings of the
governmental machinery.
Festus upon the suggestion OF Agrtp-
pa arranged for hearing that literally
fulnlleds- Gods prophecy concerning
Paul-"He is chosen vessel unto me.
to bear my name before the Gentiles.
and kings. and the children of Israel"
When the apostle was brought before
the curious members of the court, that
had assembled with great pomp. his
appearance. wearing his clanking
chains from his empurpled wrist, he
was the most royal of them all in spite
Of the fact that his body was bending
under the weight of sixty years and
the burden of many sorrows. 1t was
not a trial. because Paufs appeal had
put an end to that. Facing the great
est assembly made up of rank and
Paul delivered.the supreme effort of his
life in his testimony for his Lord.
Festus in presenting the noted pris-
oner reviewed briefly the case. stating
how the Jewish multitude had desired
Paurs death and that an Investigation
had revealed him innocent of any evil
deed. The prisoner had appealed to
Caesar and Festus was perplexed. for
he had been unable to find reasona BILE
cause that justified sending Paul. as he
must do since he had demanded that
privilege. to Caesar. When Agrippa,
who presided. gave the apostle permis-
sion to speak. Paul slowly streached
forth his manacled hand to arrest at
teution, and with marvellous skill and
great self-possession and confidence
and audacious moral earnestness. pro-
ceeded to tell the story Of his exem-
plary career.
art in his address. No man ever tried
more earnestly to convert the unexpect-
cd opportunity into a glorious victory
Commencing with a tactful reference
to his personal happiness in having
the opportunity to present his case
to Agrippa. who was an expert in the
Affairs Of his race and religion. Paul
presented his record as Jew because
he hoped through his own experience
70 make the king. who was also q
Jew. see In Jesus the fuinllment Of the
NeasIante hope and prophetic promises
The apostle showed his thorough
Judaism in blood, education and feel.
Ing. He revealed It by his persecutiot
of the Christians when he though,
that by 20 doing he was obeying the
will Of God.
He pointed out that the charges wers
Inconsistent with his well known
position as q strict Pharisee. He had
sect in the promises of resurrection
made by God to their fathers and re.
corded IN the scriptures. The prevail
ing faith among the Jews was thai
h1l6rby the Phaxissss, who believed u