The Dermott news., 1916-09-14
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER IT
SONER IN THE CASTLE.

my fortresS.-ts 9l.2.
 Paul was rescued from the mob by the prompt action of Lysias, and was saved from scourging by revealing his Roman citizenship (21 :21 -22 :29). Every true life. real social service, pa triotiSm and national righteousness rest upon the value of conversion to Christ. The fundamental message of the Christian church must always he regeneration. With this message Billy Sunday is gripping the large cities, and Dr John R. Mott is reaching the student life of the world.
 |. pauI's Account of His Early uit> (v. To. By his use of the Greek tongue he obtained permission 10 deliver this address, and hy his wise use of the Jewish language he gained the atten- tiou of the excited crowd. Paul aS- serted his Jewish origin. (Aets 21-3O. TarSuS, where he was born. had uni- and Alexandria, and Paul had probably heard its great philosophers. Paul was an educated man; he was brought up in Jerusalem from his carly hoyhood at the feet of Gamaliel it's greatest teacher. Thus his religious training WAS according to the law of the fa- thcrs, and as touching the righteous ness which is of the law, he was hlameless Phil, 8 @. He was Jealous for God, doing what he thought he would have hlm dc even when 'perse- cuted this way" the way of forgive ness. salvation and righteousness. Jesus said. Il am the way. Paul was ut this time an instrument in the hands of the rulers, carrying out their plans, but he exceeded them in his zeal for the traditions of our fathers (Gal. 1.1D. He was not at all like those Pharisees whom Christ condemned as white srpulchrrs.' He was not what We would term today. "a bad man.
 H. Paups Turning Point w. CPD. Paul seems to pick out three different crises i'll this rehearsal. CD His inter- view with Christ, when he saw Jesus as he really was in his glory, a living risen Savior (Cor. 9sl; 1I.S1. He had positive proof of the resurrection from the dead. This proof convicted him nf sin. He had heard Jesus call. He had asked Jesus what he would haYe him Ia do. He was ready to obey, and something was given him to do. The U-lt which he met on that journey ar- rested him in his mad course. Tho No.5r gave h.m his directions. In obcdi- oucp to the command Arise and so,' hc sasucd knowledge and skill. @ lie lu1tHs upon hS interview With AnaMas ly.ID where h1 received personal hop from an experienced Christian. In the dlrauesS and conflict oi thasc tlfee days of loucluc~s the questions must have hcyu, Cau,d he leave rank, honor, frpud@f Could hr ,utyr the service uf the lc~pi~rI one and suffer roproach. danger and death? puuus this con njct he must have had before hun the vision of what God would have him do, and the work for wh.eh he chose han (Nv. lG-lSl. His vision and commission constituted q strong motive for right decision. During the vision he came
 
 hy 'is hapusm. As u result of those three days and his interview With AuaajHS he came to know Gods will more fully, The next step was of course t}) hts public uyoWal tSee Acts @..~ Heb. lo.22 Rom. losl2; l Cor. GID. The purpose of PauI's whole lie an1 m-sIou was changed.
 Ill. Faurs Dangerous Position (vv. .G3e1. The uuh aale hm audience uuHI- lts verale abuuf the Geutllcs llls declaration tAat Ged hsl commanded lm ta so g9ln a mission to the Gen- his word, fe2l like "euari, upon m iu''HWWable uo~e otfHw'5ej~m." They broke cut iuta a fr,a. of excitement, mud made preraraGouS to sfoue han. An 0Hvntal uuh t~ htdruuS beyond de- gree, bowling. yylHug ur~ins, gnash- cu~ttus u0 their earwyHts (v. 2a9, throwing dust ia,o the air to relieve their excitement and to express their cveeraIuu. IL WaS manifestation of th5r uncomfortable rsr. The oppa~l- tiUa of a mob is no proof that the person if curses Is wrong.
 Immediately preparations stopped. The commander was called and. learn ing that Paul was q frcr-horn Roman citizen. he had cause to he afraid that he had gone too far.
 To assert Roman citizenship falsely was punishable with death.
 The chief captain told Paul that with greHt sum he had obtained hls Roman citizenship, but Paul's reply WaS, "Hut l ann homau born
 Paul was well cured for after this. and, in order to find put why the Jews were so opposed tn him. the captain summoned the Sanhedrin to lnoct tha following day. thus unconseiouSIy siy. ing Paul another opportunity 10 pro claim the gospel of Jesus Chsist.
 Paul indeed wns ready to be bound. and also to die at JeruSalou n for tho name of the Lord Jesus.