Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-29

OF the ceremonial law should be OBJ
served in order to be saved? Was this
what Paul meant when he said, II am a
PhariseeT'
Ny own opinion is that Paul made L
great mistake, and one of which he was
afterwards ashamed. Read Acts 24:21,
and see how he apologies for the posi-
ton he had taken at this time.
Was he really called in question
touching the hope and resurrection OF
the deadF' Was IL not rather that he
regarded the law as unnecessary since 1t
had been fulfilled by Christ, that the
type was no longer needed since the
Antitype had come, that the substance
had taken the place of the shadow?
There were myriads of Jews who believ-
ed IN the resurrection of Jesus and who
had the some hope that Paul had, but
who regarded Paul askance because he
did not regard the keeping of the cere-
monial law as any longer necessary.
Note that this plan worked tempo
rarily. but these very men when they
found out how they had been duped by
him were more bitter next day in their
opposition to him. Paul had come to
Jerusalem against the direct command
Of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 21:4). He had
made at least enc mistake before, and
now this was the second one.
NOT FORSAKEN.
But even though he had made mis-
take, he was not forsaken. In the night
the Lord stood by him and said. BE of
good cheer; as thou has testified for me
in Jerusalem, even so thou shalt also
testify in Rome" Just when Paul
needed Him, Jesus was near. Do you
think that this vision which was vouch-
safed to him at that time was an evil
dence Of the approval Of Christ of what
he had done2 Some have thought that
IL was. II is not necessarily so, how
ever. To me just the opposite Seems 10
be true. 1t was an evidence of the
marvellous grace Of Jesus who would not
forsake His servant even though he
had made a mistake.
Just so things turned out that way
for Paul at this time. The plot was
made against him to take his life. Forty
Jews bound themselves with a curse not
TO eat or drink anything until they had
killed him. The shame of II, and show
| ing their degenerate condition, was that
they laid their plot before the San
hedrin and received their sanction. the
religious leaders OF the day. the supreme
court of the church, became party 10
lie with the foul intention of murder.
But what so many knew was no secret
! at ALL PauTs nephew gained the ear
u OF the cnleI Cdpldlhs TeNcdAcu inc ptOA
to him, and thus IL was foiled. At
o'clock that night mounted on a horse
and accompanied by 400 footmen and
20 troopers as a body guard, Paul LETT
. Jerusalem for the last time, and the
next day entered Caesarea, from whence
he had gone only seven days before
I against the urgent entreaty of his fell
. low Christians.
There are many impressive truths in
this passage. We will emphasize but
one-the nearness Of Jesus. II we have
once given ourselves to Him. in spite
N OF what we do. in spite of the mistakes
that we make. even though we are con
scious when we make them, He Is with
us. cheering US, and protecting US anC
delivering us: still guiding our Lives
and ready at any moment to show Hi!
marvellous grace and love toward US
That grace is more marvellous In lit,
manifestation the greater our sin.
What shall we say then? Shall sir
abound that grace may much NOR
= abound? God forbid! But may tn
knowledge OF His nearness and Of Hi
y marvellous grace keep us from doinl
wrong and constrain US to do right.