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Text of the Lesson, Acts XIII, 1i-24'
Memory Verses, 20, 21--Golden
Text, Jer. i, documentary Pre-
pared by Rev. ID. Nj. Stearns.


OF the mob, gave up all thought of
scourging him when he found that he
had a Roman citizen 10 deal with. and
one that was such by birth. for it had
cost the captain a great sum to obtain
his citizenship. Then he determined
TO bring him before the Jewish chief
priests and council that he might IL
possible learn the cause OF all this up
roar against this man xxi. 27-30D.
Just a word about our heavenly citi-
zenship and joint-heirship with Jesus
Christ. which no amount OF money or
good works can purchase. but can only
be obtained by birth. the new birth.
born from above Cit. Iii, Al; Ps.
Xix, 6. z; Zeph. T. IS; John iii. 3, 8, y.
When obtained, then whoever touches
us touches Him whose we are, and all
the power of heaven is ready TO de-
liver US If necessary.
Paul began his testimony before the
Jewish council by an assertion that he
had always lived in all good conscience
before God. This led to a command
from the high priest TO smite him on
the mouth, which brought from Paul
some true scathing words. God shall
smite thee. thou whited WALL" for
which he apologized when he knew
that he was the high priest. He was
certainly not Gods high priest, except
in name, like the nominal believers at
Sardis, who had name to live, but
were dead Rev. I'll. 1: lesson verses
1-5).
When Paul perceived that he had be-
fore him In the council both Phari-
sees and Sadducees he began a testi-
mony which soon set them one against
the other to such a degree that again
the captain had TO rescue Paul from
their hands by force, lest he should
have been pulled in pieces by them
(verses 6-10). The captain must have
been sorely perplexed by this strangest
Roman citizen he probably ever had on
his hands, for this was the third riot
from which he had rescued him.
1t may be well TO note here a simple
distinction in doctrine between Sad
ducees and Pharisees, the former be-
lieving in no resurrection nor angel
nor spirit, while the latter are said to
have believed both verse s., but when
we recall what the Lord Jesus said
OF the Pharisees in Matt. xiii. calling
them hypocrites, serpents, generation
Of vipers, on the way 10 hell, there was
no choice between their beliefs in the
light of eternity. They were all in the
same boat, In the same broad way to
destruction. oh, how they hated the
truth of God even as they had hated
Him who is the Truth. and conspired
together to kill Him. which they final
ly accomplished (Acts il. %. %; iii. 13-
10; iv, 10; V, 29-32).
They so hated Paul and his testimony
to Jesus and His resurrection and a
full and free salvation without circum-
cission or any works of the law that
over forty of them took an oath that
they would neither eat nor drink till
they had killed Paul verses 12-14, q, 3O).
We are sure that they did not succeed
in killing him, and how long they fast
ed we do not know, but we remember
some words which are still true, HE
that stitch in the heavens shall laugh,
the Lord shall have them in derision."
1.-THE Lord bringeth the counsel OF the
heather TO nought. He maketh the de-
vices Of the people OF none effect"
Take counsel together and It shall
come to nought" ops. ii. 4; xxxiii. 10;
lisa. viii, 10).
NJ RI
story reminding us OF Samuel and the
boy whose loaves and fishes fed more
than 5000 and other young men stories
In Scripture. We are also told Just a
little of Paul's family affairs and that
he had married sister seemingly liv-
ing I'm Jerusalem, and this young man
was her son. We might infer from
Zech. IL, 4; Jer. ], 6, Z; that both of these
men were called to be the Lords mes
sengers as young men. Paurs sisters |
son was certainly the Lords messenger
on this occasion to save Paul from
these murderers. The result was that |
Paul was started Off to Caesarea by
night with an escort OF 200 soldiers,
200 spearmen and 20 horsemen and a
letter to Felix, the governor. stating the
facts as far as the chief captain was
able. The letter also contained a word
in Pauls favor to the effect that the
chief captain knew nothing against
him worthy Of death or of bonds oversees
22-33). AS in the previous chapter, the
best word to me was verse IL, so Il is
also in this chapter where we have the
record OF another night visit of the
Lord to Paul, with the message, BE Of
good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast testi-
fed Of me In Jerusalmen so must thou
bear witness also at Rome" This made
him sure Of reaching Rome I'm some
way and I'm due time as the Lords |
As to this word (tharseo)
which is translated BE of good cheer"
or "Be OF good comfort" our Lord used
1t on just Eve different occasions, and
this is the last, the others being I'm
Matt tx, 2. %; xiv. %: John xvi. 80. He
Is Just the same Jesus in glory as when
He was on earth He will be Just the
same Jesus when He comes again in |