The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1916-10-19
LESSON FOR OCTOBER ~
PAUL's DEFENSE BEFORE
AGRlPPA.

LESSON TExT-Acts 20 wv. 1, M-s2.
GOTDEN TEXT was not dlsopeoienS
unto the heavenly vision.-Acts zo'S.
/ It is possible to use the Bible either
as a music box or telephone. we
should let it speak the words OF the
Lord Jesus to us and our pupils. Inis
lesson occurred probably A. u. o. per-
haps in August, the day after last sun
davis lesson, This was the same nail
where Agrippa had heard the people
calling him god (Acts 12). Pau,
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-
nuainted with Jewish laws and GUS
toms, could not make any dennlte
charge against him before the Roman
court. Hence he turns him over 10
Agrippa, who was well acqualhteu
with matters of Jewish law.
/. Paul. the Preacher wv. 1-2S).
This was one Of the great occasions
in the life of this great man. Pau
was preaching to king and woman
of great influence Ca sermon Wnlch
little changed their lives evldently),
and also to the coming ages. Ihls
king and queen were welded to their
infamy. God had in mind on tnat
day an audience in comparison with
which that which Paul saw faded into
oblivion. Notice his argument. ~
He begins with his own experience.
In these verses there are over forty
personal pronouns.
Men do not need so much ngnt as
they do need heat, and Paul was
speaking out Of the hot throbs OF his
personal experience. Paul STOOD De-
fore them a living miracle, an 1ncar-
nate argument. We might tremDle az
the doctrine of the resurrection. he
knew it was marvellous thing tnat
God SHOULD raise the dead, but tnat
change had been wrought In MIN
which was equivalent to the miracle
of raising one from the grave.
Paul's plea was for the Roman az
well as the Jew. Considering his per-
sonal testimony, he declares that ne
is a true Jew of the strictest sect wv.
4-8). and as such ne lived In the
"hope of the promise" as predicted Dy
Isaiah and Daniel. That promise mas
been fulfilled in Jesus, the crucined.
who rose again from the dead, ana
Paul adds. 81 have seen him, for
which hopes sake, King Agrtppa,
am accused of the Jews" (2) wv. b
LEY Paul tells the audience that me-
himself, was once Jealous perse-
cutor Of the Christians, more so tnan
those who are now prosecuting MIN,
'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 10
lead men into the kingdom OF Coo
that they might receive forgiveness
of sins and an inheritance among
those who were fitted for that inheri-
lance, who were the sanctihed. For
this cause the Jews went about to Kill
him.
II. Aurippa, the Doubter wv. 24-52).
Five ways are suggested as to the
reception of Paui's message. The
high priests way was to hate him and
oppose. Felix's way was "go thy way
this time. When I have more con-
venient season I will CALL" Festus
way wv. 24-26) was to charge Paul
with madness. Much learning (literal-
Iy. many writings) was turning MIN
mad. making him lunatic, dreamer,
one who lived in the atmosphere OF
wild imaginings. Pauls reply was
not harsh. ''Most noble Festus" Gam.
RI az am not mad, but speak words OF
soberness," words of eternal life and
spiritual life (of sound sense) that
were true and earnest. Paul thereupon
appeals to King Agrippa to confirm
his statements ". 2-6). The crazy
man is he who lives for this world
rather than for eternity. The devil
has cheated many a man out Of eter-
nal life by the method which Festus
| followed. He has also cheated many
a Christian out of the larger life in
the same way. Paurs appeal to Agrip-
pa wv. 27-2g) 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 God" The
literal translation Of Agrippa's answer
is, 'In a little thou persuadest me to
be a Christian" 1t is said that Agrip-
pa said this in sarcasm, but, like many