The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1916-10-12
LESSON FOR OCTOBER IS
APPEAL TO CAESAR.

| LESSON TEXT--ActS 10 wv. l-i1l.
GOLDEN TExT-It is enough for the
disciple that he be as his teacher. and
the servant as his Lord.-Math. 1923
Teachers ought to urge their schoa-
ars to read Chapters "a. rs and Is
thoroughly, and with the use of map
locate the places mentioned. The date
of this lesson is A. D. SO, and it Oc-
Cured at the crisis of the events which
determined the way Paul should go to
Rome, Nero being the emperor at that
| time.
I. Paul in the Prison at Caesarea
wv. 1.6). Paul was worn out, badly
in need of rest, and Is given during this
imprisonment much freedom. He was
accompanied by Luke, his physician.
and probably some of his other friends.
For almost 20 years Paul had been liv-
ing strenuous life, crowded full or
labors that would have crushed an or
binary man. Now for some consider
able time he had time to thoroughly
master and assimilate the truth which
he had been preaching, the results Of
which have come down to us in the
form of letters, seven Of which at least
were written during and after the
events Of this lesson. His imprisOn-
ment also gave many Of his friends
opportunity to secure his counsel and
guidance. The yindictiveness and
hatred of the Jews is evident by this
new plot whereby they sought the help
of Festus against Paul. The corrupt
Felix had been succeeded by more
upright man, Festus. The scheme of
these enemies of Paul and of Jesus had
already resulted in giving Paul an OPP
portunity to preach Jesus as the Christ
and the Judge of men to persons who
otherwise would not have been within
the scope Of his influence. Through
his persecution he had reached leading
officials and educated men of the RO-
mans and of the Jews. Bunyan, In
Bedford Jail, and Luther In Witten-
berg Castle, are illustrations of the
principle that, difficulties are the
stones out Of which all Gods houses
are built"
Felix, on giving up his Office to his
successor, left Paul bound (Oh. "A :27)
though he knew he ought to be re-
leased, but by this vile, Ubiquitous act,
he gave Paul another one of his de-
sired opportunities to witness for
Christ in high places. The shrewdness
# Festus saved Paul from falling into
he trap Of the Jews, for God was guild
ng Festus, and at the same time
Paul
II. Paui's Appeal to Caesar wv. z
y. The Jews made many and griev-
JUS complaints, but without bringing
Jingle witness to prove their asser-
ions. Doubtless these were the same
Id charges that had been brought be-
ore Felix through Tertullus two years
efore, and which now, as then, could
ot be proved. Paul was permitted to
nswer for himself, and he declared
hat he had broken neither the Jew
sh nor the Roman law. Most of the
nemies of Christianity and of the
'ible '1ay many and grievous charges
gainst it which they cannot prove"
4 all ages the enemies of God and his
ord mistake strong and confident
harges and vilifications as proofs. :,
aul's life was absolutely clean, and
e could say, II have not slnned at ALL
'. r. w In any of the directions In
hich he was charged. Festus, as the
ewly appointed governor, desired to
D the Jews favor; literally, desired
J gain their favor. Therefore he said
} Paul, "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem,
I'd there be judged Of these things be-
re me-" This amounted to an &C
Initial Of Paul on the charges that
ould come under the Roman law.
There remained only such charges as
Ould naturally come before the San
.drin, and the question was whether
lul would accept an informal acquit-
from the Roman court on condition
at he submit to a trial before his
vn people on the other count. Fes-
s wished to throw upon Paul the re-
onsibility Of refusing to go to Jeru-
lem, and to avoid displeaslng the
WIS.
Festus got a courteous but a sting
3 and well deserved rebuke from his
isoner. Paul was perfectly willing
take any punishment he deserved,
en- unto death, but, having a clear
he had no fear Of Festus
any man. His appeal to Caesar
Is most. unexpected. 1t confused
stus and baffled the Jews. The Lords
n words on his midnight visit to
ul In prison are here suggested (2S:
J.
Festus could make but one decision
nto Caesar thou shalt 60" Pault
cere and open character was the