The Dolores star., 1921-11-04
IMPROVED UllpoRn INTERNATIONAL
Sl11nldaySchool .
' Lesson '
tBy REV F. b. FITZwATER. ID. D.,
Teacher of English Bible. in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago)
Copyright. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 6
PAUL's EXPERIENCES Al JERU
SALEM

LESSON TEXT-Acts 2l:Is-23:a
GOLDEN TEXT-God is our refuge and
strength. a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear him.-Ps.
46:1 (a).
REFERENCE MATERIAL = II Tim.
2:l6-lS; 4:l4. l5
PRIMARY TOPIC-How Paul's Nephew
Saved His Life.
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Boy Tells of a Plot
Against Paul.
INTERN EDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Paul and His Enemies
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul Attacked by Jewish Mob.
|. PauPs Arrest (21 :1S-iO).
The immediate occasion of this was
his effort to remove the prejudice
which certain ones held against him.
His reception by representatives Of
the church was most cordial. In order
that all the brethren in Jerusalem
might sraciously receive him, it was
proposed to him by the elders that
he take n Jewish vow to prove
that he was in no way opposed to the
law. They recognized that such an
act would in no way compromise or
involve the Gentle brethren. As to
how far this act cOnciliated the Jews
we are not told, but it only enraged
the unbelieving Jews, causing them to
resort to mob law. These maddened
Jews, on the basis of suppositiOn.
seized him and dragged him from the
temple and beat him mercilessly. in
tending to put him to death. Paul
was rescued from the mob by the
Roman guard. stationed nearby. Paul
kept himself under control and po-
lftely asked permission of the captain
to speak to the people. When he ad-
dressed him in Greek and quoted his
Roman citizenship, the captain grant
ed his request.
u. Pau's Defense (22 2:1-2O.
l. His claim for a rightful hearing
wv. 1-3. Q His birth ". 3). He
no mean reputation. (2) His educa-
ton ". -. He was educated in school
under the tutorship of Gamaliel. and
instructed according to the perfect
manner of the fathers" ". -. His
zeal ". 3). He was as Jealous to-
ward God as those Jews who were
trying to destroy him.
.. His attitude toward Jesus wv.
4, 81. II prosecuted this way unto
the death''-it was one of hatred, as
was that of the Jews.
g. How his attitude was changed
wv. 6-16). 1t was brought about by
the intervention of God.
4. The Lord commissioned him to 60
to the Gentiles wv. 17-2D. 1t was
not Of his own will that he preached
to the Gentiles, but by the Lords d.
rect commission.
III. Paul Before the Sanhedrin (23:
1-1O).
The Roman officer in order to learn
why Paul was arrested, commanded
the chief council to assemble, and
brought Paul before them.
/. Paul's earnest look at the coun-
Gil wv. 1, 2). This was a solicita-
ton of their honor to give him a fair
hearing. and also look of conscious
integrity and unfaltering courage. He
protests that his behavior as per-
secutOr of the church and preacher of
the Gospel has been in keeping with
the highest principle of national in
tegrity. At this the high priest or
dered him to be smitten on the mouth.
.. Pauls stern rebuke of the head
Of the council ". 81. "God shall
smite thee. thou whited sepulcher"-
fair without and foul within. This
was n just sentence, no doubt direct
ed by the Lord. Paul's words show
that he had the highest respect for
the office, but the man now occupying
it was not worthy of it.
8. Paul's appeal to the PhariseeS
wv. 6-1O). Seeing that he could not
get a fair hearing, and perceivins that
the body before him was made up of
Pharisees and Sadducees, he appealed
to the Pharisees. hoping to get their
attention, for his preaching had some
thing in common with their beliefs.
This resulted in squabble.
~. The Lord Stood by Paul ". ~.
Paul was in great need of grace to
sustain him. He may have begun to
question the wisdom of his course in
going to Jerusalem, but this assured
him that his course was right, and
thus comfort was brought to him.
v. The Conspiracy to Kill Paul wv.
12-22).
More than forty men banded to-
gether for the purpose of getting Paul
out of the way. They placed them
selves under Il curse to abstain from
eating and drinking until they had
murdered him. God defeated their
plans without miracle This was
done by Paul's nephew. Their fatal
mistake was that they left God out
of the question.