The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-11-11
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sll1nldaySchoel .
= Lesson '
(By REV. P. b. FITZWATER, d, D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago.)
Copyright. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 10
PAUL BEFORE THE ROMAN Gov
ERNOR.

LESSON TEAI-ActS 24.l-Zi.
GOLDEN TEXT-Herein do 1 exercise
myself, to have always a conscience void
of offense toward God and man.-Acts
A:l6.
REFERENCE MATERIAL- Luke
l2:4-12.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Wly Paul Was Not
Afraid
JUNIOR ToP1c-Tne Secret of Paurs
Courage
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
defense Before u Roman Governor.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Pauis Defense Before Felix.
I. Paul Accused ivy. 1-9)
Tertullus, perhaps Roman barrls-
ter, formally made the accusation ac-
cording to Roman law. He began with
flattery. 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 four
fold charge against Paul:
!. "a pestilent fellow" ". 81. This
would indicate a fellow utterly base
and corrupt--a plague.
.. An inciter of rebellion, a mover of
seditlon ". 81. This they hoped
would bring him into conflict with the
Roman power.
5. That he was the ringleader of a
sect-a schismatical party-a heretlc
". 81.
4. That he had profaned the temple
". @.
II. paul's Defense wv. 10-2D.
In this defense note:
!. Pauls frankness and courtesy (y.
Joy. 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 We're
familiar to him; and then, In a digni-
fed manner assumes that Felix will
render just decision based upon the
facts of the case.
2, The charge of sedition denied wv.
IL, 12). He fatty and scornfully de-
MED this charge, showing its utter
falsity since the time was too short,
Jerusalem. and half of that time had
been spent as prisoner of the Ro-
mans. His conduct while there dis
proved il -he disputed with no man II
the temple;. neither did he make an,
! atfeInptko incite the people in the cit,
nor in the synagogue.
3. The &arge Of heresy wv. 14-16)
This charge he met by concession
and a denial. He admitted that he was
of the "Way" which they called heresy
but clearly showed that it was il
keeping with the Hebrew religion: a.
he worshiped the same God ". 14)
(2) he fully believed in the same
Scriptures ". IA; /; (3) he had the samt
hope Of coming resurrection of the
dead (y. 15). He declared that he
made as the principle of life a con
science void Of offense before God ant
man.
4. The charge of sacrilege, or profa
nation Of the temple wv. 17-2D. This
charge he refuted by showing ID tha
he had come all the way from Greece
". ~ to worship at the feast; G.,
that he had not come up empty hand
ed, but had brought aims for his ma
tion (v. ID; {3) that there were no
competent witnesses present to testif,
as TO his behavior in the temple (v
19) by challenging his enemies t,
testify as to his conduct in the counci
(v. 20).
Ill. Paul Before Felix the Secons
Time wv. 22-27).
This is Il sort of sequel to TIL,
trial. Wicked as Felix was. Paul,
p,anner somewhat won his favor
though he did not release him. Hi;
sentence was indulgent Imprisonment
which kept him free from his enemie.
while under Roman protection. Fell
sent for Paul that he might hear o
Christ from him. Paul behaved him
self Alright before these sinners in htal
life. He reasoned Of righteousness
self-control and Judgment to come, be
fore Felix and his sinful Wife Will
such power that Felix was terrific,
and declitred that he would hear Pau
further at Il convenient time. This wa
Il most iiinsy excuse for not changin;
his life and granting Justice to Paul
He was SO in bondage to sin thar II,
was unwilling to change Also Ii,
hoped that by delaying matters h.
would receive a bribe