The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-10-21

y
should let It speak the words Of the
Eord Jesus to Us and our pupils. This
5peascn occurred probably A. D. SO, per-
haps In August, the day after last Sun.
days lesson. This was the same hall
where Agrippa had heard the people
lcailtng him q god (Acts 12). Paul,
The center: Of all interest, 10 chained
10 his Roman guardians. The prisoner
thAs been vehemently accused as one
worthy Of death and had appealed to
Caesar, but Eestus, not being we'll &C.
sAuainted with Jewish laws and cus-
tdms, could not make any definite
charge against him before the Roman
court Hence he turns him over to
EAgrippa, who was well acquainted
with matters Of Jewish law.
70. Paul, tho Preacher Wv. 1921.
This was one Of the great occasions
IA the Life Of this great man. Paul
Vas preaching to a king and woman
Spf great influence % sermon which
little changed their lives evidently,
And also to the coming ages. This
King and queen were welded to their
tnfamy. God had in mind on that
day an audience In comparison with
which that which Paul saw faded into
oblivion. Notice his argument. ~
He begins with his own experience.
IN these verses there are over forty
pefsonalIpronouns.
Men do not need 80 much light as
they do need heat, and Paul was
speaking out Of the hot throbs of his
personal experience. Paul stood be-
Pore them q living miracle. an incar-
nate argument. We might tremble at
ehe doctrine Of the resurrection. He
knew It was a marvellous thing that
god should raise the dead, but that
change had been wrought in him
which was equivalent to the miracle
.pf raising one from the grave.
Paul's plea was for the Roman as
well % the Jew. Considering his per-
eonal testimony, he declares that he
10 Q true Jew of the strictest sect wv.
iN-8), and as such he lived in the
Hope OF the promise" as predicted BY
Isaiah and Daniel. That promise has
been fulfilled In Jesus. the crucified,
who rose again from the dead, and
Paul adds. II have seen him, for
which hopes sake, King Agrippa, /
nm accused Of the Jews" (2) wv. O.
'Hb) Paul tells the audience that he,
etmseh, was once a Jealous perse-
icator Of the Christians. more SO than
these. who are now prosecuting him,
.befng exceedingly mad against
them" DO then relates his Damascus
Tourney and the conversation held on
lthe road with the risen Lord.
The gospel Paul preached was to
lead men into the kingdom Of God
That they might receive forgiveness
Iof sins and an Inheritance among
those who were fitted for that inheri-
ltance, who were the sanctined. For
iEhis cause the Jews went about to kill
hin.
! u. Agrlppa, the ooubter wv. 1882.
tive ways are suggested as to the
reception Of Paul's message. The
high priests way was to hate him and
Ioppose. Felix's way was go thy way
fhts time. When I have a more con.
yentent season I will call" Testus'
Nay wv. 24-26) was to charge Paul
/ Nth madness. Much learning (literal.
TX, many wrtings) was turning him
pad, making him lunatic, a dreamer,
one who lived in the atmosphere Of
wild imaginings. Paul's reply was
pot harsh. "Most noble Festus" Gam.
.Rl II am not mad, but speak words Of
pobeness." words of eternal life and
pi4tual life (of sound sense) that
we're true and earnest. Paul thereupon
eppeals to King Agrlppa to confirm
his statements ". 2-e). The crazy
man Is he who lives for this world
rather than for eternity. The devil
has cheated many man out of eter-
bal LIE By the method which Festus
followed. he has also cheated many
ID Christian out Of the larger life In
the same way. Paul's appeal to Agrip-
pa wv. H-2s) is very suggestive.
Some people believe that the con-
henb OF the prophecies are Of no pres
,ents day value, and some are trying to
break their force. Some declare they
lcannot be true, yet these prophecies
'hre the ones that declare that Jesus
- The Christ, the Son of God" The
literal translation Of Agrippa's answer
n In little thou persuadest me to
20 .. Christian" It is said that Agrip-
sba; said thsin sarcasm, but, like many
mother attempted Jest, 1t revealed the
heal state Of the heart.
{ A0tppa saw the cost Of further con-
liberation Of tho cinims Of Christ and
Was unwilling to pay the price wv.
bo82). Thus Agrippa's soul was lost,
Ind yet he was within one step Of
eternal life. Paul with great dignity
book advantage Of Agrippa's ambigu-
pus oppression, and said: II would to
God that whether with little or with
much, not only thou but also all that
bear me this day might become such
ISL am except traising his fettered
.hands) these bonds" Gam. R.).
y Paul was willing and glad to suffer
anything for the sake Of Jesus Christ,
his Lord u Cor. 12-10).