The Holly chieftain., 1921-12-01
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 4
PAUL IN MELIrA AND ROME.

For am not ashamed Of the gospel OF
Christ; for 1t 10 the power OF God unto
salvation to everyone that belteveth.-
Rom. lis. 49,
REFERENCE MATERIAI-Mark 1915:
Rom. 1:s-17.
PRIMARY ToPIc-rAe End OF Paurs
Journey.
JUNIOR ToPIc-rhe End Of q Long
Journey.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Paul Living In Rome.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Paul's Ministry In Rome.
I. The shipwreeked Crew on MsIita
(vv. 1-lO).
Through the storm they lost their
bearings. and when they were safe ON
land they learned that the island was
called Melita.
i. The hospitable reception of the
natives ". p. They built fire and
made them rs comfortable as possible
from the cold and the rain.
2. Paul gathering sticks for a fire ".
81. This is fine picture OF the worlds
greatest preacher and missionary not
above picking up sticks for fire. The
ability and disposition to serve natu-
rally in whatever way is the evidence
Of capacity for great commissions.
3. Paul bitten by venomous SER
pent ". 81. With the sticks that Paul
gathered there was serpent. Per
haps 1t had already curled itself up
for Its winter sleep, but when the
warmth Of the fire aroused it 1t darted
| at Paul and fixed its fangs upon his
hand. The natives expected to see him
fall down dead, yet he shook it off,
nothing harmed. At first the natives
concluded that he was an escaped
murderer and that this was retributive
justice being meted out to him. When
they saw that he was unharmed they
concluded that he was god.
4. Paul heals Publius' father wv. Z
| 10y. These people are now getting
some return for their kindness. When
this man of note was healed Others
came also and were healed. To this
they responded in appreciation by load
ing them down with necessary sup
plies.
u. Paul Arrives at Rome wv. 11-16).
When Paul landed at Rome Christ's
| charge to the disciples was fulfilled.
After three months stay ut Melita,
Paul departs for Rome in the ship Al
exandria. whose sign was Castor ana
Pollux. At Syracuse they, were de-
layed three days, perhaps for favora-
BILE winds. At Puteoli he found breth-
ren, at whose request he tarried seven
days. At Appili- Forum and at the Three
| Taverns brethren from Rome met him.
From Puteoll the news went before
Paul's coming. and so interested were
than forty miles to meet him. This
greatly encouraged him. for which he
| gave God thanks. No one, perhaps,
ever enjoyed more close fellowship
with God, and yet no man ever en-
joyed more and derived more benefit
from human fellowship than he. His
readiness to preach the gospel at
Epistle to the Romans, written from
Corinth about three years before, was
now realized. He was treated with
great leniency at Rome, for he was
allowed to hire house there and live
alone except that the soldier that re-
mained his guard was constantly with
him. Being chained to soldier was
rather irksome, but yet 1t gave him a
chance to preach to the soldiers which
he could not have had any other way.
He rejoiced in whatever circumstances,
just SO the gospel was preached.
III. PauI's Ministry In Rome wv,
17-31).
]. His conference with the leading
Jews wv. 17-22). He did not, as
usual. wait for the Sabbath day to
speak to the Jews. He only allowed
one day for rest His object was to
have fair understanding with them.
When they came he endeavored to
conciliate them. He told them that,
though he came as prisoner, he was
not a criminal. Though his own
cOuntrymen had so sought his life he
did not come with an accusation
against them. The result Of this Inter
view was that the Jews cautiously
took neutral ground. but expressed
desire to hear what Paul could say in
defense Of sect which was every
where spoken against. The fact that
this sect was spoken against is no evil
dence that 1t was wrong. Many times
thing may be wrong in mems minds.
because their judgments are biased. II
thing is right in the sight of God 1t
matters not what men think about 1t.
2. Paul expounding the kingdom of
God and persuading concerning Jesus
wv. 23-3D. He pointed out real
kingdom-the Messianic Kingdom with
Jesus as the King.