The Holly chieftain., 1921-11-10
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 10
PAUL BEFORE THE ROMAN GOV.
ERNoR.


PAUL BEFORE THE ROMAN GOV.
ERNoR.
LESSON TExT-Acts 24:1-2T
GOLDEN TExT-Herein do 1 exercise
myself. to have always a conscience void
of offense toward God and man.-Acts
24:16.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-L Luke
R:4-I2.
PRIMARY roPIc-why Paul Was Not
Afraid
JUNIOR ToPIc-The Secret of Paurs
Courage.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Defense Before a Roman Governor.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
.-PauPs Defense Before Felix.
I. Paul Accused wv. 1-9)
Tertullus. perhaps a Roman barris-
ter, formally made the accusation ac-
cordlng to Roman law. He began with
fattery. He gave Felix the fullest
praise when he and all the people
knew that he lied; for Felix was one
Of the worst governors-destitute Of
morals and justice. He brought a four
fold charge against Paul:
/. "a pestllent fellow" ". 81. This
would indicate fellow utterly base
and corrupt--a plague.
2. An lnciter of rebellion, mover of
seditlon ". 81. This they hoped
would bring him into conflict with the
Roman power.
8. That he was the rIngleader of
sect-a schismatical party-a hereto
". 81.
4. That lie had profaned the temple
". 6).
u. Paul's Defense wv. 1O-2D.
In this defense note:
/. Paul's frankness and courtesy ".
10) Flattery is entirely wanting. He
gives recognition of the fact that Felix
had been ruler of this people long
enough to be able to judge justly. as
the habits and ways of the Jews were
familiar to him; and then, In digni-
fed manner, assumes that Felix will
render just decision based upon the
facts of the case.
2 The charge of sedltiOn denied wv.
II, 12). He flatly and scornfully de-
MED this charge, showing its utter
falsity, since the time was too short.
being but twelve days since he went to
Jerusalem, and half of that time had
been spent as prisoner of the Ro-
mans. His conduct while there dis
proved 1.-THE disputed with no man in
the temple neither did he make any
attempt to incite the people in the city
nor in the synagogue.
8. The charge Of heresy wv. 14-16).
This charge he met by concession
and denial He admitted that he was
Of the "Way" which they called heresy,
but clearly showed that 1t was in
keeping with the Hebrew religion: az
he worshlped the same God ". 14);
(2) he fully believed In the same
Scriptures ". 1D; (3) he had the same
hope Of coming resurrection of the
dead ". 15). He declared that he
made us the principle OF life Il con.
science void of offense before God and
man.
4. The charge Of sacrilege, or profa-
nation of the temple (vv. 17-2D. This
charge he refuted by showing (1) that
he had come all the way from Greece
". 10 to worship. at the feast; (2)
that he had not come up empty hand
ed, but had brought aims for his ma
ton ". 10: (3) that there were not
competent witnesses present to testify
as to his behavior In the temple ".
10; by challenging his enemies to
testify as to his conduct In the council
". 20).
III. Paul Before Felix the Second
Time wv. 22-27).
This Is sort of sequel to the
trial. Wicked as Felix was, Pau's
manner somewhat won his favor
though he did not release him. His
sentence was indulgent Imprisonment
which kept him free from his enemies
while under Roman protection. Felix
sent for Paul that he might hear of
Christ from him. Paul behaved HIM
self Alright before these sinners in high
life. He reasoned Of righteousness
self-control and Judgment to come. be-
fore Felix and his sinful wife, with
such power that Felix was terrified
and declared that he would hear Paul
further at convenient time This was
most iiimsy excuse for not changing
his life and granting Justice to Paul
He wns SO In bondage to sin that he
was unwilling to change. Also he
hoped that by delaying matters he
would receive bribe.