Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-07
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

worship of God. Although the Jews
present at the trial fully Endorsed the
statements of their attorney, they Of
fered no proof of their charges. 1t is
apparent from the hint of Tertullus
that little clever questioning by Fee
lix of the prisoner would be sufficient
to substantiate all the charges, that
they did not know of Paul's claim to
be a Roman citizen and evidently ex-
pected that in response to their clamor
Felix would turn Paul over to them to
suffer death.
Paul commenced his defense by diplo-
matically referring to Felix's long term
of service as reason why he might
reasonably be more certain of secur-
ing justice from him than he could
have had from a novice, because it
would be an easy matter for an ex-
perienced executive. like Felix, to
learn the facts, which would prove his
innocence. In presenting his defense,
Paul took up each charge in the order
of its presentation. Having no wit
nesses to produce he entered a dignf-
fed denial to all the charges alleged
against him. He appealed to Felix s
sense of right and justice and the logic
of his statements to convince the pro-
curator of the thruthfulness of his
denials.
In his reply Paul pointed out that
there was not the slightest proof that
he had fomented sedition. The short
time spent at Jerusalem and the cir
cumstances of his stay. as well as his
conduct, disproved the charge. He met
the accusation of heresy by acknowl-
eGging that he was glad to be counted
follower of Christ, which was then
called the Way. but he insisted that it
Was unjust for them to refer to the
Christians as the "sect of the EaZa-
renes" tuseG in this chapter for the first
time in the history of the cnurch). be-
cause he worshiped the God of the
Jews. and believed in their Scriptures,
emDha sizing the unity of the Old and
New Testaments. Christianity and Juda =
ism, according to Paul. were not two
separate faiths. but one. because he
held. as all Christians still 90, the same
hopes and lived in the same hopes as
the Pharisees, Il recognized jewish
the dead. both of the Just and the I'M
Just. He challenged his accussors to
prove that he had in any way pro-
famed the temple. The charge was
absolutely unfounded because he was
under VOW In tie temple and had
brought aims for his nation and fur
nished offerings for the sa crifce of the
temple.
vino understood the faiths Of Chris
tsani'y and Judaism. knew that the
only two reasons Ccr della yiap his de
cisicH were Arm, that he might cor
robCratc Paul's statements by an in
quiry in Jerusalem as to the facts from
Lysias. and, second. whether Paui's in :
depreciation of Christianity justified
him to accept it as 4 Part of Judaism.
I This gave him an excuse to delay his
decision and not offend the Jewish
! leaders by giving Paul ut that time his
freedom. hoping at the same time to
obtain bride from the apostle. so that
( he might be released from his impris-
onmeut.
6
pcrtunity TO offer him the desired con-
sideratton that he frequently sum-
morod him into the presence of the
, court. Once. at least. to satisfy the
curiosity CT his wife, he summoned
Paul into Il private conference, when
the apostles aching of righteous
ness. temperance and Judgment to come
caused the hard and cynical Roman to
tremble. There was no common ground
| in faith between them, but with cour-
I age. cardor and convincing power Paul
appealed to the procuTator's religious
nature and the reality of moral dis
I Nnctions. He made Felix realize how
he had outraged justice, when he point
/ ed out his lack of chastity in the pres
I ence Of his adulterous companion and
! wildly painted the certainty of the
harvest. which his life. labor and love
would reap. Conscience Numbered, but
Felix delayed his decision when he
, should have surrendered to God
! The impenitence of the sinner pro-
duces an irreparable loss every day II
/ lasts. 1t Injuries their friends. re-
! ligious life because the example Is
against their interests and binders
| their conversion. The greatest loss Is
| in personal character building. which
| is of slow growth. the result Of con
niovt against temptation and of well
doing. The delay OF decision injured
| Felix. but God made ii of value to Paul
| in his work of extending the kingdom
! through his epistles and Christian con-
fereuces