Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-10-26
LESSON FOR OCTOBER IS
APPEAL TO CAESAR.

disciple that he be as his teacher, and
the servant as his Lord.-Math. 10:25
Teachers ought to urge their schol-
ars to read Chapters "a, % and 20
thoroughly, and with the use of map
locate the places mentioned. The date
of this lesson is A. ID. SO, and it 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 caesarea
fvv. 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 iv-
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 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 imprison-
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 more
upright man, Festus. The scheme Of
these enemies of Paul and of Jesus had
already resulted in giving Paul an OPP
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
Felix, on giving up his Office to his
successor, left Paul bound och. "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. lFs"i's Appeal to Caesar (vv. z
12). The Jews made many and griev-
GUS complaints, but without bringing
single witness to prove their asser-
tons. Doubtless these were the same
old charges that had been brought be-
foreNFelix through Tertullus 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 clay 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 vilifications as proofs.
paul,s life was absolutely clean, and
he could say, II have not sinned at all"
". s r. W in say Of the directions in
which he was charged. Festus, as the
newly appointed governor desired to
do the Jews favor; literally, desired
70 gain their favor. Therefore he said
to Paul, "Wilt thou &c up to Jerusalem.
and there be judged of these things be-
fore me?' This amounted to al ac-
quittal of Paul ON the charges that
would come under the Roman law.
There remained only such charges as
would naturally come before the San
hedrin, and the question was whe<her
Paul would accept an informal acquit-
tai from the Roman court on condition
that he submit to trial before his
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 the
Jews.
Festus got courteous but sting
ing and Well deserved rebuke from his
prisoner. Paul was perfectly willing
to take any punishment lie deserved,
even unto death, but, having clear
conscience he had no fear Of Festus
or any man. His appeal to Caesar
was most unexpected. 1t confused
Festus and baffied the Jews. The Lords
own words on his midnight visit to
Paul in prison are here suggested (23:
~.
Festus could make but one decision,
Unto Caesar thou shalt co. PauFs
sincere and open character was the
means of his safety and power.
III. Paul and Agrippa wv. 1920.
Agrippa was the king OF the northern
part of Palestine, Jew and trained
in religious ceremonies, but one who
never mixed politics with religion,
wearing his Judaism as a garment.
His father, Agrippa /, slew James
the elder, the apostle.
The great-grandfather ''The Great"
no, 49, k1 k,,f,