New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-11-18
!. Paul Before Festus (25:l-12).

ernOr. goes to Jerusalem, he is be-
sieged with accusers against Paul,
and they desire that he be brought TO
Jerusalem for trial, intending to lie
in wait and kill him on the way.
Festus refused their request, but
agreed to give them IN opportunity to
accuse Paul il they would go down
TO Caesarea. They 20, but are unable
to prove anything against him. res
tus. willing to please the Jews. pro-
poses t. send him to Jerusalem for
trial. For this Paul issues a b
to Festus by asserting that he very
well knew that he was innocent. See
ing that 1t was impossible to get JUS
tice before Festus. Paul makes use
of his right as n Roman citizen, ana
appeals to Caesar. Paul well knew
that to go TO Jerusalem meant death,
and since Festus was too much OF n
time-server to release him when he
knew that he was innocent, he makes
use of the radical step of appealing
10 Rome as the last resort. Festus
seems to have been taken by surprise.
His failure to release an innocent
man had placed him in an awkward
position, for he could give no explain
alton as TO why an innocent man
should go to Rome for trial. For "a
man to appear before Caesar would
east reflection upon Festus. lie now
consulted his council as tn what 10
do, but since the Roman law gave
every man the right of appeal To the
emperor, there was nothing LETT Tor
him to do but to grant his request.
u. Paul Before Aerippa (25:l3-
&c :27).
/. The occasion (2J:13-2O. This
was the visit of Agrippa and Berniee
to Festus. Upon their arrival they
EXPRESSED n desire 10 hear Paul,
whereupon Festus told them of his
perplexity; so ii was arranged that
Paul be brought before them for eX-
animation.
. The defense (2J:1-2O. Cd The
introduction wv. 1-3). In this he ex-
pressed his delight that he now could
sneak and tell his case TO one who
was able 10 follow his line of argu-
mcnt. for .Agrippa was an expert In
questions concerning the Jews; but
most of all he was now happy in that
he could witness To him of the Savior
and perhaps lead Him into the Hight
Of God. (2) In his manner of life
ivy. I-l2). This he showed had
been In strictest accord with the most
rigid sect OF the Jews. He possessed
the same hOpe-that OF n coming De-
Iiyrrer-and reminded them of the
fact that formerly he was most bit
terly opposed Ia Christ, as his zeal
would prove. These facts make the
change from a prosecutor TO an ar
dent advocate all the more remark
able. G, His supernatural CONVEX
sion wv. 1870. Jesus Christ ap'
peared TO him on the way to Damas-
Gus and revealed himself Ia him. (D
Jesus Christ commissioned him for his
work wv. 1919. lie was sent unto
the Gentiles (a) To open their eyes
SO awfully blinded: tb) to perform
the blessed work of turning them from
darkness To light (c) Ia turn them
from the power of Satan unto God,
I'D that they might receive forgive
ness Of sins: te) and that they might
obtain an inheritance among the
saints. 90 His conservation wv. ~
o3). As Soon as he received his cum-
mission he obeyed. The very vigorous
prosecution Of his work brought aim
into conflict with the Jews. for which
they sought Ia XIII him. 90 The In
terruption 10y Festus ". 2D. Seeing
how thoroughly in earnest Paul was.
he attempted to account for 1t 10y
calling him a crank. altributlng II 10
the rawlings of an unbalanced mind
"a paul's appeal 10 Agrippa wv. %
Oh. sim maintaining his courtesy,
be appealed TO his knowledge Of the
work Of Jesus and of the prophets,
for they have an intimate connection.
He was anxious to have Agrippa act
ON the knowledge which he had.
~. Aerippa Almost Persuaded
Cog :2s-32).
Whether this answer Is n contemptu-
Gus sheer or not. II Is evident that his
soul was unwilling 70 yield. Paul
took Agrippa seriously. Paul's heart
ioneed that Agrippa and all concerned
would accept Christ and be- saved. He
desired that all might have the saliva.
tion Of Christ. hut would spare all the
bonds which he bore.