The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-09-14
INTERNATIONAL.
S(JNDNSQlOOL
LESSON
CBY n o. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
the Sunday School Course OF the Moody
Bible Institute. ChicagoD
tcepyrisht 1919. Western Newspaper ualon)
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER II
PR soNea IN the CASTLE.


Paul was rescued from the mob by
the prompt action Of Lysias. and was
saved from scourging by revealing his
Roman citizenship t21 :27-22 :29).
Every true life, real social service, pa
1iotism and national righteousness
st upon the value OF conversion to
Christ. The fundamental message Of
the Christian church must always be
regeneration. With his message Billy
Sunday In gripping the large cities,
and DIR. John X. Mott Ii reaching the
student life Of the world.
!. Paula Account OF His Early Life
". 1-5). BY his use Of the Greek tongue
he obtained permission TO deliver this
address. and by his wise use Of the
Jewish language he gained the atten-
ton Of the excited crowd. Paul as
serted his Jewish origin. (Acts 2l-39).
Tarsus. where he was born. had uni
versity which rivaled those VI Athens
and Alexandria. and Rnul had probably
heard Its great philosophers. Paul was
an educated man: he was brought up
at the feet OF GamalieI Its greatest
teacher. Thus his religious training
was according To the law Of the ia
theirs. and rs touching the righteous
ness which Is of the law" he was
blameiess (Phil. 8 ~. lie was jealous
for God. doing what he thought he
would have him do even when ''perse-
cuted this way" the way Of forgive
ness, salvation and righteousness.
Jesus said. Il am the way" Paul was
at this time an instrument In the hands
Of the rulers. carrying out their plans.
but he exceeded them I'm his zeal for
''the traditions OF our fathers tGal
1:l4). lie was not Mt all like those
Phnrisees whom Christ condemned as
white sepulchers." He was not what
we would term today. "a bad man."
u. Pauis Turning Point w. 62D.
Paul seems 20 pick out three different
crises In this rehearsal. u) His inter-
view with Christ. when he saw Jesus
as he really was In his glory. a living
risen Savior tCor. OIL; 1881. He had
positive proof Of the resurrection from
the dead. This proof convicted him
Of sin. He had heard Jesus call. He
had asked Jesus what he would have
him to do. He was ready TO obey. and
something was given him to do. The
light which he met on that journey mr.
rested him In his mad course. The
voice gave him his directions. In obedi-
ence TO the command. arise and go"
he gained knowledge and skill. GU He
lights upon his interview with Ananias
". 14) where he received personal help
from an experienced Christian. In the
darkness and conflict of those three
days OF loneliness the questions must
have been: Could he leave rank. honor.
friendsf Could he enter the service of
the despised one and suffer reproach.
danger and deathi During this con-
fiict he must have had before him the
vision OF what God would have him do.
and the work for which he chose him
wv. 1919. His vision and commission
constituted strong motive for right
decision. During the vision he came
into the light. and confessed his faith
by his baptism. As a result Of those
three days and his interview with
Ananlas he came To know Gods will
more fully. The next step was OF
course (3) his public avowal (See Acts
2:3S; Heb. 10 %: Rom. l0:13; ! Cor.
6:1i). The purpose Of Paul's whole
life and mission was changed.
90. PauTs Dangerous Position wv.
2030). The mob gave him audience
until his words about the Gentiles. His
declaration that God had commanded
him TO 20 upon a mission TO the Gen
tiles was an offense TO the Jews. and
khis words fell like spark upon an
mass Of fanatlcism." They
broke out into frenzy of excitement,
and made preparations to stone him.
An Oriental mob Is hideou. beyond de-
gree. bowling, yelling, cursing, gnash-
ing their teeth. fiinging their arms.
casting on their garments ". 23).
throwing dust into the air TO relieve
their excitement and TO express their
execration. Il was manifestation OF
their uncomfortable rage. The OPPOSE
tiou Oh inoD IL no pfooi tnut tno
person IL curses Is wrong.
Immediately preparations stopped.
The commander was called. and. learn
Ing that Paul was a free-born Roman
citizen, he had cause to be afraid that
he had gone too far.
To assert Roman citizenship falsely
was punishable with death.
The chief captain told Paul that
with a great sum he had obtained his
Roman citizenship. but Paul's reply
was. "But am Roman born"
Paul was well cared for after this,
and. In order TO find out why the Jews
were so opposed TO him, the captain
summoned the Sanhedrin 10 meet the
following day. thus unconsciously Civ
ing Paul another opportunity TO pro-
claim the gospel OF Jesus Christ.
Paul indeed was ready TO be bound,
and also TO die at Jerusalem for the
name Of the Lord Jesus.
He knew how his Lord had been
bound (John 1879. and he rejoiced In
the fellowship Of hts sufferings (Phil.
3 :10) yet he claims his right as a citi-
zen for there Is no need Of morbidly
seeking unnecessary disgrace or pain.