Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-11-17
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 19
FROM MELITA TO ROME.


Rom. ZIG.
In this lesson we see somewhat of
the human side of PauPs character.
No man appreciated fellowship more
than he. Look up Acts II :15; 1875;
Cor. Z IS; Thess. 5: i. .; II Tim. 4 :21.
!. The Sea Journey (vv. 11-l4). |
Paul left Melita (AIalta) probably Feb
ruary, A. D. 60. From there tC Syra
cuse was a distance of between so and |
100 miles. From the island of Syra-
cuse (nOw part of Italy) to Rhegium
was one days sail. From Rhegium to
PuteOli was 1S0 miles. Puteoli (mod-
ern POZZuoli) is in the Bay of Naples.
eight miles from the modern city of
Naples. Paul and his band who had
done so much for the Maltese were
specially hOnored with many hOnors.
". 10.)
In these verses We have picture of
Paul seeking out his brethren wherever
he went, thanking God and taking
courage as they came to meet with
him and converse with him. Ii is Il
picture upon which we ought to ponder
deeply and be grateful that it reveals
to us a side of Paul little known and
appreciated.
II. The Land Journey (vv. IA, 15).
AT Puteoli, Paul and his companions
began their march to 40 miles to the
city of Rome. After a march of GU
miles they reached the famous Appii
Forum, i. e. ''The market of Appius.''
Here Paul is met by the first dele
cation from the church at Rome, who
were waiting to welcome him and
Luke and escort them to the capital
city. A second delegation met them at
the Three Taverns, or 'The Three
Shops" as we would call stores in the
modern sense: These Christians had
walk 46 miles to the Appii Forum and
33 to the Three Taverns, and then
walk the same distance back to the
city. Thus it was that the sight Of
these friends cheered Paul and he
thanked God. We can well imagine
the joy of those souls, the communion
enjoyed by those pilgrims as they
journeyed toward the imperial city.
We can see in the letters which Paul
wrote from Rome plain signs of his
longing for sympathetic friends and can
| imagine how he must have felt upon
| being thus greeted on his journey. We
can also imagine something of the
blessing and inspiration which must
have come to those Christians who met
| this famous soldier of the cross and
had the privilege of escorting him to
the city. 1t must have inspired them
| and given them new courage for the
battle that was being fought in the
great wicked city then under the dom
inatiOn of the Emperor Nero.
Ill. In Rome (vv. 1920. Having
entered into the city the centurion Ju
lius, who had become q friend of Paul
delivered the prisoners to the captain
of the guard. This officer we are told
was a liberal-minded man. one of the
few good people in the corrupt life Of
the city. Paul was probably first taker
to the forum, which vas the center ol
imperial power and magnificence ant
near which was the "house of Caesar
(Phil. :22) Paul was not sent Il
prison for it was against the law II
put a Roman into prison without 4
trial, but he was permitted to dwell
by himself in his own hired house.
OF course, there was soldier whC
guarded him. This was the city wher,
Paul had SO long desired to preach tn,
Gospel. (ROm. 1 :14-16.) AS in othe
places. he first turned to the Jews, TO
he loved his own people no matter hov
much he had suffered at their hands
preach unto them Jesus and sought t.
cOnciliate them. He had no charge
to bring against them.
1t was not pleasant for him to b
bound with a chain. but 1t was a grea
privilege and honor to be there in tn
cause which had brought him TO tn
city. He declares unto them that |
I was 'for the hope of Israel l ar
bound with this chain" His Who'll
teaching and work was for the fulfil
ment of this promise. (See Acts 23 e
"a :15; 20 :6-8).
II
/ phasized that a Messiah was rise
from the dead as a guaranty of a
other resurrectiOns In his day, as /
5 this present one, there were thos
. who spoke against this, and yet tn;
resurrection was to conquer the wOrl
? and to save it from moral ruin. ThoS
! present had had no word out of Jude,
To-.
ing ". 23) there came unto him. tha
is, into his lodgings, great numbers /
whom Paul sounded the Gospel of til
kingdom and gave his personal test
mony. He proved out of the law {
Moses and out of the prophets, con
mon ground for them all, that the Me-
siah had truly come, the prophecies =,
the kingdom of God had been fultillet
and that Jesus by his life and deaf
and teaching had shown the Jews ho
perfectly the latter were fulfilled Th
| Paul did from morning till evening
" following the same line as in hi
speech before Agrippa and in otht
places where he had been testifyin
d All of his explanations and testimol
ials centered in Jesus. 1t was no al
stract mental theory for an improve
order of society but definite reign
definite person, Jesus of Nazaretl
Paul is a great example for any Bib
student to follow.
AS on so many other occasion
b Paul's preaching caused a division. {
e 26.)
u And again he turns to the Gentle
? ". 2S.)
Z Paul told them plainly Wtat jay :
I. the root of their unbelief (v. %, ar
q though they refused the salvation
was none the less of God.
Paul continued In the city of Ron
= for at least two whole years unhil
dered in his work. dwelling in his ow
hired house, preaching and teachir
- with all confidence.
u From his prison there has flowed
1t river of light that has broadened an
u / deeDened thrOIIphout fhe centurie