Mexico Missouri message., 1916-09-07
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 10
THE ARREST OF PAUL.
issON TEXT-Acts 21:17-4O.


ness for him unto all men of what thou
hast seen and heard.-Acts 22:15.
No study Of the book of Acts is
complete unless the teacher impresses
upon his pupils the opportunities for
living the Christian life in the normal
environment of the home or school,
at work or play. Deep interest at
taches to every detail leading up to
Pauls visit to Rome. Therefore let
the teacher trace Paul's journey from
Mileta to Jerusalem, which occupied
about four weeks, and took place in
the early part of the year A. d. 81.
I. The Arrival wv 1929. The Spirit
revealed to the disciples and to proph-
cts that If Paul went to this city he
would be In great danger, and the
Spirit was not forbldding but only
teaching him for he knew Paul had
great work to do in Jerusalem, and
that he only could do 1t. Everywhere
Paul went he searched for" ". y
disciples, with whom he tarried and
whom he enlightened in the way of
truth. Arriving in Jerusalem, he up
pears to have made his home with
Mnason, outside Of the crowded city,
thus being less exposed to danger and
finding place of rest. At a public
reception ". 1S) Paul reports of his
work, and no doubt he laid his strong
est emphasis on what God had
wrought through him, among the
churches of Asia. The leaders of the
Jerusalem church received the gifts
Paul brought from the Gentle
churches, glorified God for what he
had accomplished, but saw clearly
that, to accomplish his statesmanlike
purpose, something must be done to
make clear that the false reports as
to Pauls teaching were discredited
wv. 20-22). They therefore resorted
to diplomacy wv. 1920. To the
many thousands of Jews gathered on
this festival occasion in the city,
some of whom were jealous for the
law, they declared first that Paul
| taught all the Jews which were among
the Gentiies not to forsake Moses !;
second, that he had not taught them
not to walk after the customs of
Moses. The facts were Paul obeyed
the Jewish ceremonial laws person
ally, as a matter of race, not as a
condition of salvation.
II. The Arrest wv. 27-36). Paul's
attempt at Cancellation resulted not
in peace but in more discord. Every
true servant of God is sure to be mis-
represented, and it will not do always
to attempt to set straight all the lies
that are told about him. God Will
take care of the lies and Of our repu-
tations. Most Of the charges that
men, even Christians, bring against
one another are based upon "sup-
! position" ". 20). It was not a new
experience for Paul to be mobbed. AS
the maddened Jews dragged him out
| Of the temple he must have recalled
the. treatment of Stephen in which he,
himself, had had n hand (7:57, So.
How frequent 1t is that we ourselves,
are in due time treated in the same
way In which we have treated others
! (Gal. $50. It was the intention Of
the Jews to kill Paul at once without
trial (26:9, 10). They fancied they
were doing Gods service John 16 ~.
This lesson is a striking example of
the utter folly and wickedness of mob
law. Paul's time had not yet come,
and all the mObs on earth could not
kill him until God permitted it.
III. The ArraIgnment wv. 37-4O).
11dings of the riot came to the chief
captain, equivalent to or colonel
(Acts % :26). Paul was bound with
! two chains, one from each of his arms
to a soldier, secured, yet left free to
walk with his guards, thus fulfilling
| the prophecy of AGabus ". Ply. MObs
usually have great respect for sol
diers, for they are inwardly cOwardly.
No sooner was Paul on the stairs
which led to the top Of the fortress
than the mob, afraid that they were
| about to be baked Of their vengeance,
made a mad rush at him, with cries
of xiii him; kill himw and Paul,
unable in his fettered condition to
steady himself, was carried off his
feet and hurried Off in the same path
his Master had trod (John 1919
! and he was again to hear that cry.
! och. % :22). During all this tumult
Paul had but one thought, how he
might witness for his Master, and
bring some of his blinded accusers to
a saving knowledge of Christ. Thus
it was that he asked for the privilege
Of speaking, and most courteOusly did
/ he make his request. He spoke to
| the captain in the Greek tongue, not
in Hebrew, and great was the surprise
OF the captain.
Practical Application. When we are
attacked, no matter for what cause, if
we confidently look for deliverance
and exercise self-control, God will
take care OF u.s.
Such conduct is disconcerting to our
enemies.
Diplomacy is often dangerous and
| misunderstood
Circumstantial evidence is never OF
| a