Evening star., 1925-11-28
Sunday School Lesson

Immediately out of the hands of the
procurator who faced the perpsex-
ing situation OF preparing a state
ment that would justify his official
acts in reference to Paul. He saw
that il was Gods way opening up
an opportunity for him to preach the
gospel in Rome. FestuS tried to find
a way out, but he had no alternative.
He had to allow the appeal. which
meant for the apostle a long journey
to Rome at the expense of the gov
ernment.
Agrippa, q son of IIerod. who was
eaten by worms; great grandson OF
Herod the Great and grand nephew
of Herod Antipas. who beheaded John
the Baptist, accompanied by his sis
ter Bernice. visited Festus about that
time to officially recognize him as the
representative of the Roman Empire.
He was the last of the Herods and
the Maccabees. He had been brought
up In the palace OF the Caesars and
had been appointed by the emperor
with the title of king to succeed
Philip and Lysanias in ruling their
tetarchies. He controlled the ap-
pointment of the high priest and had
supervision of the temple. He was
living a shameless, immoral life with
his own sister Bernice, who was
noted for her beauty, and subsequent
ly was to try her charms upon Yes
pasian and Titus. When they arrived
Festus sought Agrippa's < advice, hop
ing for some suggestion that would
relieve him from his embarrassment,
caused by Pauls appeal to Augustus.
In compliance with the wish of
Agrippa to see the prisoner and hear
a
to come before Agrippa- 1t was not
trial, as the case was out of his
hands. but Il royal show.
The whole social life Of CaeSarea
was assembled when the apostle was
brought before the curious crowd that
watched him enter the pretortan
court. 1t was the most distinguished
assembly, when you consider rank
and power. that Paul had ever been
called upon to address. Filled with
confidence in his cause he faced the
audience, which literally fulfilled
Gods prophecy concerning the
apostie-"He is a chosen vessel unto
me, TO bear my name before the Gen
tiles, and kings. and the children OF
. Israel and delivered the supreme
effort OF his life in his testimony for
his Lord. Commencing with a tact
full reference to Agrippa. who was an
icilS lDll- tdul presented the RECORD oI
| expert in the affairs of his race and
his own life. He hoped. through re-
citing his own experiences. especially
his conversion. call TO the ministry
| and career as a missionary, TO con
| vince Agrippa that Jesus was the
| Messiah.
| He cited his activities as a perse.
cutor of the church as evidence of his
thoroughly Jewish sympathy. He be
! lieved, then, that he was doing God s
will. just like all his opponents be
| lieved that they were glOrifying God
| in their efforts to silence his teSti
mony. He insisted that 1t was not in
credible for n Jew to believe in the
| resurrection of the dead. Most of the
nation were Pharisees, who believed
| that God raiseth the dead" He
pointed out the inconsistency Of hold
ing him to be a criminal, because ht
believed III the resurrection of Christ
since it was in accordan with the
faith of his nation. In fact Paul held
that Christianity was the ripe frui
of Gods revela tion of which Judaism
was the bud and blossom. He con
tended that his views were in harmony
with the teachings of Moses and tn,
| prophets. He saw the underground
| stream of the Old Testament teach
ings. concerning a suffering Messiah
and the resurrection appearing in th,
life, labor and legacy of Jesus Christ
The Bible would be one book with on,
| message for the apostle
In the third account of Paul's con
version, which is one of the most diff
| ficult problems presented in the Bib,
| for any doubter to explain, th'
apostle pointed out that religion fcl
him had always required a life o
obedience. 1t was the vision of th'
| risen Christ that changed his Who'll,
career, turned him from being a per
secutor of Christians to live a self
denying life as a missionary of th'
Gospel. He cited the cross as tn,
great motive power of his life. 1t hat
made him a great traveller and mis-
| sionary, because he could not be dis
obedient to the heavenly vision. Hi
message was a three-fold one tha
called upon all men to repent, believ,
and obey the Lord Jesus, being en-
couraged by the Masters fellowship
and assurance Of future life through
the resurrection of the Christ.
Paul's appeal filed Festus with un
| easiness. He thought that the apostl
| was insane. when he WAS really seek
ing to stif1e his own convictions. Man.
have tried to turn aside the earnest
eloquent appeal that they be saved b.
| raising questions concerning tn
prea acher's personality and preaching
Agrippa, by his early actions. tacitl,
acknowledged the truthfulness O
Paul's claim. yet he was unwilling Z
follow Christ. He was feeling tn
power of Paul's preaching when h
dismissed the apostle. His defens'
failed to furnish Festus with the def
mite information that he wished 70
in Agrippa's judgment, which was a
implied censure Of Festus. Pau
could have been released If he ha
not appealed to Caesar. From tn
treatment accorded Paul in Rome,
is evident that Festus probably e1
pressed the opinion that the prisoner
guilt was doubtful and recommends
him to the Clemency of Augustu
Caesar.
"Reincarnation' to Be Theme.
4 -.