Middletown transcript., 1916-10-14
lArTTnNlnnATAI
INTERNATIONAL
SUNNYS0NEL
LESSON
LESSON FOR OCTOBER is
APPEAL TO CAESAR.
CBY 2. o. SELLERS. Acting Director Of
Sunday School Course. Moody Bible Iu-
Gtitute, Chicago.)
Copyright, 1915. Western Newspaper Union.)

-~@~
Teachers ought to urge their schol-
ars to read Chapters "a. 25 and %
thoroughly, and with the use Of map
locate the places mentioned. The date
Of this lesson is A. D. SO. and 1t Oc-
Cured at the crisis of the events which
determined the way Paul should go to
Rome, Nero being the emperor at that
time.
l.. Paul In the Prison at Caesasea
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 a strenuous life, crowded full Of
labOrs that would have crushed an or
binary man. Now for some consider
able time he had time to thoroughly
master and asslmilate 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 tmpriSOn-
ment also gave many of his friends
opportunity to secure his counsel and
guidance. The vindictiveneSS 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 a more
upright man, Festus. The scheme OF
these enemies of Paul and of Jesus had
already resulted in giving Paul an Op-
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" The three days referred to
in verse evidently mean after the
landing at Caesarea from his journey
/ to Rome Of this new governor. The
principal men Of the Jews Immediately
repeated the charges which TertuIlus
had falsely made. (See last lessOn.)
Notice they ask for flavor" not JUS
| tice, knowing If the favor were granted
and they once secured Paul'S presence
In Jerusalem, they would have him in
their power. Festus, however, an
swers that Paul shall be kept in Caesa-
rea since he, himself, should he at the
trial, and he was not intending to go
to Jerusalem at that time: however.
he guarantees a fair trial.
Felix, on giving up his Office to his
successor, left Paul bound (Ch. "a :27)
though he knew he ought to be re-
| leased, but by this vile, iniQuitOus act,
he gave Paul another one of his de-
sired opportunities to witness for
Christ In high places. The shrewdneSs
Of Festus saved Paul from falling into
the trap of the Jews, for God was guild
ing Festus, and at the same time
guarding Paul.
II. PauI's Appeal to Caesar (vv. Z
12). The Jews made many and griev-
Gus complaints, but without bringing q
single witness to prove their asser'
tiOns. Doubtless these were the same
old charges that had been brought be
fore Felix through TertuIlus two years
before, and which now, as then, could
not be proved. Paul was permitted to
answer for himself, and he declared
that he had broken neither the Jew
Ish nor the Roman law. Most of the
enemies of Christianity and of the
Bible "lay many and grievOus charges
against it which they cannot prove
In all ages the enemies of God and his
word mistake strong and confident
charges and villficatiOns as proofs
Paul's life was absolutely clean, Nnd
he could say, 81 have not Silned at all
". 8 R. W in any of the directions in
which he was charged. FestuS, as the
newly appointed governor, desired tC
do the Jews a favor; literally. desired
to gain their favor. Therefore he sait
to Paul. "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem
and there be judged of these things be
|
Quittal of Paul on the charges thai
would come under the Roman law.
There remained only such charges al
would naturally come before the San
hedrin. and the question was whether
Paul would accept an informal acquit
tai from the Roman court on condition
that he submit to a trial before hil
own people On the other count. Fes
tus wished to throw upon Paul the re
spOnSibility Of refusing to go to Jeru
salem, and to- avoid displeasing thu
Jews. Paul Indignantly stood up anC
said, II am standing before Caesar
Judgment seat" (vv. 10. IL. Read care
fully) Paul was appealing to a prop
er tribunal, to one that had a famous
reputation for its findings. He was ex
ercising his rights as Roman citizen
He was also in the exercise Of thOs'
rights, using the means God had 70
his presentation of the Gospel In tn,
City of Rome. Paul never abused tn
rulers Of his nation (See Romans 8 q
lO:1). Even If Festus should acQui
upon him by aSsassIns as they ha'
twice before tried to do (23 :12; Is 81
Fest9a got a courteous but a sting
ing and we'll deserved rebuke from hi
prisoner. Paul was perfectly wiflin
! to take any punishment he deserved
even unto death, but, having a cIea
conscience. he had no fear Of Festu
or any man. His appeal to Caesa
was most unexpected. II cOnfuSe
Festus and bafled the Jews. The Lord
own words on his midnight visit {
Paul in prison are here suggested (23
III.