Evening star., 1921-11-12


though it did not grant religious nhe4y.
It is apparent that Tertullus was ap-
pealing to the prejudices and pride OF
Felix in his address. The Jewish lead
ers, who were present. indorsed the
statements Of their attorney, but pre-
sented no proof to sustain their
charges. Tertullus suggested that a lit
tie clever questioning Of the prisoner by
the governor was all that would be
needed to persuade Felix to turn Paul
over to the Jewish sanhedrin to put him
to death in answer to their clamor
They probably did not know Of the apos-
ties claim, that he was a Roman citi-
zen, which would prevent the procura-
tors complying with their request, evfn
II he did wish to conciliate the Jew
ish leaders.
Upon the signal of the governor, Paul
commenced his defense. He avoided
technicalities. He could have pointed
out the artif1ce used by Tertullus In
evading the points at issue He had
not said a word about Trophimus, the
Ephesian, whom they claimed he had
brought into the sacred precincts of the
temple. Standing alone. like Christ be
fore PLATE, without any counsel to de-
fend him, Paul was more than the
equal Of the trained and eloquent lawyer
who had prosecuted the case. he com
menced his defense by Automatically Re
fering to Felix's long term Of service
ing justice. 1t would be easy for a
traired executive, like Felix, to learn
the facts, which would prove his lnno-
cenCe. Paul took up each charge IN tile
order of their presentation. having no
witnesses to present, the apostle en-
tered a dignified denial to all the ac-
cusations made against him. He ap-
pealed to Felix's sense Of right and
justice. He sought by his candor, fear
| lessness and uprightness OF statement
which was presented logically, TO con-
vince the procurator of the truthfulness
of his denials and to win Felix for the
Christ.
In his reply, Paul pointed out that
there was not the slightest proof that
he had fomented sedition. The short
| time he had spent at Jerusalem and
the circumstances connected with his
visit, as well as his conduct, disp-
proved the charge. He met the ac-
cusation of heresy by acknowledg-
ing that he was glad to be counted
a follower of Christ, which was then
called the Way. He insisted that it
was unjust to refer to the Christians
as the sect of Nazarenes," because
he worshiped the God of the Jews
and believed in their Scriptures. en-
phasizing the unity of Christianity
and Judaism. Paul claimed that they
were not two separate faiths. but
one, because he held, as all Chris
tians still do, the same hope which
the Pharisees, a recognized Jewish
party, held concerning the resurrec-
ton of the dead. both of the just and
unjust. He challenged his accusers
to prove that he had ever in any way
profaned the temple. The charge
was absolutely unfounded. becausehe
was under a vow in the temple. and
had brought aims to Jerusalem for
his nation and furnished the offerings
for others in connection with the
sacrifices of the temple. .
The defense was completed. Felix.
who understood the faiths of Judaism
and Christianity, recognized that no
The fact that the most important
witness had not been brought down
from Jerusalem gave Felix a reason
for delaying the verdict that he
, might corroborate Pauls statements
through an inquiry in Jerusalem as
to the facts from Lysias. Another
| reason for delaying his decision was
the claim of Paul that Christianity
| should be considered as part of
Judaism. He saw that he would avoid
ofending the Jewish leaders by de-
| clining to give Paul his freedom at
| that time. He gave orders that the
apostle should be kept in prison, but
| should be allowed certain liberties.
and that any of his friends who de-
sired to visit him should be given
| that privilege. This would indicate
I, that Paul had money. Possibly ne
| may have inherited some wealth, or
his family. as well as wealthy Chris
uanS, may have contributed to his
support and the cost of his appeal to
caesar. This may have encouraged
FELIX to expect that Paul would
willingly give him a brihe to secure
his freedom. There was a principle
at stake, so the apostle declined to
pay tribute. q
| 1t Is quite possible that one Of the
considerations which caused Felix to
1reqeuntly summon Paul into court
was to give him the opportunity sto
present him the coveted bribe. Once
at least he summoned the apostle Ito
| private conference to satisfy the
curiosity of his wife. When Paul
reasoned with him and his wife of
righteousness. temperance and judg-
ment Pe to come the hard and cynical
j mon ground in their faith. yet the
| candor: courage and convincing power
OF Paufs speech aroused the 7dprmant
| religious feelings of the procurator
moral distinctions. He realized how
| he had outraged justice, when the
prisoner pointed out the procura-
tors lack Of chastity in the presence
OF his adulterous companion. Con
painted the certainty of the harvest.
| which his life. labor and love would
| reap. Felix delayed the decision OF
surrendering his life to God. when, he
should have listened to God. ,Thc
! impenitence of a sinner produces an
| iirreparable loss every day it lasts
| The delay of Felix in making his
! legal and personal decision iniured
himself. God made it of value to Paul
in his work of extending the King
dom through his epistles ana EhHs
ttan conferences. IN 'I1o1T