The Yale expositor., 1916-09-07

GOLDEN IEAI-InOu SHhlI DC u VIII
ness for him unto all men OF what thou
hast seen and heard.-Acts 22:l5.
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
Paul's 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. ID. 81.
I. The Arrival wv 1926. 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 forbidding but only
teaching him for he knew Paul had |
n great work to do in Jerusalem, and |
that he only could do it. 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 APP !
pears 10 have made his home with !
Mnason, outside Of the crowded CITY,
thus being less exposed TO danger and
finding place of rest. At public
reception ". 1S) Paul reports of his
work, and no doubt he laid his strong
est emphasis on what God hao
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 Paul's teaching were discredited
wv. 2O-22). They therefore resorted
TO diplomacy wv. 23-26). 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 Gentiles 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 matter of race, not as a
condition Of salvation.
II. The Arrest wv. 27-36). Paul's
attempt at Cancellation resulted not
I'm peace but in more discord. Every
true servant Of God is sure to be mis-
represented, and ii 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
J one another are based upon "sup.
position" ". 29). 1t 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 a hand q 81, 5S)
, How frequent IL is that we, ourselves
, are in due time treated In the same
l way In which we have treated Others
. Zeal. $50. 1t was the intention OF
8 the Jews to kill Paul at once without
q trial (26 %, 10). They fancied they
: were doing Gods service (John 1922
:. This lesson is n striking example %
I the utter folly and wickedness Of mol
g law. Paul's time had not yet come
1 and all the mobs on earth could no
g kill him until God permitted it.
III. The Arraienment tvv. 37-40)
0 Tidings of the riot came to the chic
captain, equivalent to our colone
/ (Acts % :26). Paul was bound wit
o\chains. one from each of his arm
I to a soldier, secured. yet left free t
walk with his guards, thus fulfillin
3 the prophecy Of Agabus ". 2D. Mob
usually have great respect for so
D diers, for they are inwardly cowardll
J. No sooner was Paul on the stair
u which led to the top of the fortres
e than the mob afraid that they wer
l. about to be baked of thGir vengeance
e made mad rush at him, with erie
/ of "KIll him; kill him" and Paul
1t unable in his fettered condition
steady himself, was carried off HI
. feet and hurried off in the same pat
u his Master had trod (JOhn 1915
. and he was again to hear that or.
. (Ch. 80 :22). During all this tumu
!. Paul had but one thought, how h
y might witness for his Master, an
= bring some Of his blinded accusers
= saving knowledge of Christ. Thu
p Il was that he asked for the privilef
OF speaking and most courteously oil
he make IFS request. He spoke
!; the captain in the Greek tongue, M
y in Hebrew, and great was the surpri'
OF the captain.
Practical Application. When we al
attacked. no matter for what cause,
we confidently look for deliveran'
and exercise self-control, God w
70 take care Of us.
u Such conduct is disconcerting to Of
enemies.
y Diplomacy Is often dangerous al