Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-10-13
LESSON FOR OCTOBER is
APPEAL TO CAESAR.


Teachers ought to urge their schot-
ars to read Chapters "a. % and 26
thoroughly. and with the use of map
locate the places mentioned. The date
of this lesson is A. D. 80, 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.
|. Paul in the Prison at Caesarea
wv. Icy. 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 liv-
ing strenuous life. crowded full of
labOrs that would have crushed an or
dinary 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 lessoSs. Els imprisOn
ment also gave many Of his friends
opportunity to secure bis 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 a more
upright man, Festus. The scheme of
these enemies of Paul and of Jesus had
already resulted in giving Paul an Op-
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" The three days referred to
in verse 1 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 a favor" not JUS
tice knowing if the favor were granted
and they once secured Paul's presence
in Jerusalem, they would have him iD
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 &C
to Jerusalem at that time; however
he guarantees a fair trial.
Felix, on giving up his office to hi:
successor, left Paul bound (Ch. "a :2T,
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 fol
Christ in high places. The shrewdnes
of Festus saved Paul from falling int
the trap of the Jews, for God was guild
Ing Festus, and at the same tim
guarding Paul.
II. Paul's Appeal to Caesar (vv. Z
12). The Jews made many and griev
ous complaints, but without bringing
single witness to prove their asser
tons. Doubtless these were the sam
old charges that had been brought be
fore Felix through Tertullus two year
before, and which now, as then. couI
: not be proved. Paul was permitted t
answer for himself, and he declare
4 that he had broken neither the Jew
s ish nor the Roman law. Most of th
4 enemies of Christianity and of til
: Bible LAY many and grievous charge
against it which they cannot prove.
> In all ages the enemies of God and hi
4 word mistake strong and confider
e charges and vilifications as proof
Paurs life was absolutely clean, an
i he could say, II have not sinned at all
n ". 8 K. W in any of the directions /
q which he was charged. Festus, as til
newly appointed governor, desired I
Il do the Jews favor; literally, desire
h to gain their favor. Therefore he sal
q to Paul, "Wilt thou go up to Jerusaler
e and there be judged of these things b
fore meT This amounted to an n
= quittal of Paul on the charges tn;
would come under the Roman law.
| There remained only such charges
| would naturally come before the Sa
| hedrtn, and the question was wheth,
! Paul would accept an informal acqui
tai from the Roman court on conditiC
that he submit to a trial before h
i own people on the other count. Fe
II tus wished to throw upon Paul the r
81 sponsibilitY of refusing to go to Jer
n salem, and to avoid displeasing Il
\ Jews. Paul Indignantly stood up al
4 said, 81 am standing before Caesar
q judgment seat" wv. 10, IL, Read cal
4 fully. Paul was appealing to a pro
SI er tribunal, to one that had a fame
reputation for it's findings. He was {
ercising his rights as a Roman citize
a He was also in the exercise of tho
Z rights, using the means God had f
I'll his presentation of the Gospel in +
ri City of Rome. Paul never abused t
III rulers of his nation (See Romans 9:
SI 1O:1). Even if Festus should acul
I'll and release Paul, the Jews would f
a upon him by assassins as they h
8l twice before tried to do (23 -; % I:
III Festus got a courteous but still
xii ing and well deserved rebuke from
AI prisoner. Paul was perfectly will
Nl to take any punishment he deserv
Ill even unto death, but, having a cl,
al conscience, he had no fear of Fest
III or any man. His appeal to Gaze:
III was most unexpected. 1t confu.
M Festus and baffied the Jews. The Lor
81 own words on his midnight visit
g Paul in prison are here suggested {:
Isl III.
M Festus could make but one decisi
- Unto Caesar thou shalt GO" Pal
ee sincere and open character was
means of his safety and power.
III. Paul and Aurippa wv. 49,
Agrippa was the king of the north
ne part Of Palestine, Jew and trail
us, in religious ceremonies, but one v
ks, never mixed politics with religi
ms wearing his Judaism as a garment.
His father, Agrippa 1, slew Jar
the elder the aDOstIe