The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-10-12
LESSON FOR OCTOBER IS
APPEAL TO CAESAR.

Teachers ought to urge their schol'
ars to read Chapters "a, 25 and 20
thoroughly, and with the use Of map
locate the places mentioned. The date
Of this lesson Is A. ID. so, and II oc-
Cured at the crisis Of the events which
determined the way Paul should go to
Rome, Nero being the emperor ut that
time.
I. Paul In the Prison at Caessrea
wv. 1.0). 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 llv-
Ing a strenuous life, crowded full OF
lnbors that would have crushed an or
binary man. Now for some consider
able time he had time to thoroughly |
master and assimilate 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 imprlson'
ment also gave many Of his friends
opportunity to secure his counsel and
guidance. The vindictlveness 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 n more
upright man. Festus. The scheme OF
these enemies OF Paul and of Jesus had
already resulted In giving Paul an OPP
portunlty 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 Wtten-
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 Tertullus
had falsely made. (See last lesson.)
Notice they ask for favor" not jus
tice, knowing If the favor were granted
and they once secured Pauls 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 be at the
trial, and he was not intending TO go
to Jerusalem at that time; however,
he guarantees fair trial.
Felix, on giving up his office TO his
successor, left Paul bound (Ch. 24:27)
though he knew he ought to be re-
leased, but by this vile. inlqultous 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 failing into
the trap of the Jews, for God wns guild.
ing Festus, and at the same time
guarding Paul.
u. Paul's Appeal to Caesar wv. Z.
i2). The Jews made many and grlev-
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 Tertulus 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 grlevous charges
against It which they cannot prove
In all ages the enemies OF God and his
word mistake strong and confident
charges and vlliflcatlons as proofs.
: Paul's life was absolutely clean, and
he could say, Il have not sinned at ALL
". 8 r. W In any of the directions In
which he was charged. Festus. as the
newly appointed governor, desired to
do the Jews favor: literally, desired
r to gain their favor. Therefore he said
I to Paul. "Wilt thou go up to jerusalem
p and there be judged of these things be-
e fore me?" This amounted to an ac-
: Qulttal of Paul on the charges that
h would come under the Roman law.
p There remained only such charges as
Q would naturally come before the San
e hedrin, and the question was whether
+ Paul would accept an informal ncQult-
! tai from the Roman court on condition
e that he submit to a trial before his
i own people on the other count. Fes-
y tus wished to throw upon Paul the re-
d sponsibllity of refusing to 20 to Jeru.
e salem, and to avoid displeaslng the
Jews. Paul Indignantly stood up and
; said. II am standing before Caesars
;. judgment seat" (vv. TO- IL, Read cure.
l. fully. Paul was appealing to a prop
/ er tribunal, to one that had famous
reputation for Its findings. He was ex.
ercising his rights as Roman citizen
Il He was also In the exercise of those
!. rights, using the means God had for
his presentation of the Gospel In the
h City of Rome Paul never abused the
o rulers Of his nation (See Romans 8 3
> 10:D. Even If Festus should acQult
n and release Paul, the Jews would fall
r. upon him by assassIns us they had
/" twice bafore tried to do (23 :12; 20 :3)
Fest?s got courteous but sting
g Ing and well deserved rebuke from his
n prisoner. Paul was perfectly willing
: to take any punishment he deserved
II even unto death, but, having clear
4, conscience, he had no fear of Festus
n or any, man. His appeal 10 Caesar