Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-11-19

IC-Psul Before Felix: A Contrast.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-How to Have Good Conscience.
!. Paul Accused (vv 100.
Paul was now in the hands of Felix
who determined to hear his case after
his accusers had come from Jerusalem.
Ananias, the high priest, and elders
! came With Tertullus, perhaps a Ro-
man rriSter, who formally made the
accu ton according to Roman law
He l"gan with tlattery. He gave Felix
the lllest praise when he and oil the
people knew that he lied for Felix was
, one of the worst GOVERNORS, destitute
of morals and justice. He brought a
four-fold charge against Paul:
l. "A Pestilent Fellow" " -.
This would indicate fellow utterly
base and corrupt-a plague.
p An Inciter of Rebellion, Mover
of Sedition ". -.
/ This they hoped would bring him in
to conflict with the Roman power.
8, That He Was the Ringeader OF
a Sect--a Schismatical Party-a Her
etic ~ 81
This was designed to throw con-
tempt and suspicion upon the Chris
tians, by this means to bring Paul into
deeper trouble.
4, That He Had Profaned the Tenn
pie " o.
In this charge we see the wickedness
again, they wilfully suppressed facts.
II. Paul's Defense wv. 10-2D.
This is a splendid example of the
strength and dignity of man whose
life is controlled by noble purpose,
and who has nothing to conceal, and
will not distort or suppress facts.
1. Paul's Frankness and Courtesy
(v. 10Y.
Flattery is entirely wanting. He
gave recognition Of the fact that Felix
had been ruler of this people long
enough to he able to judge Justly, as
the habits and ways of the Jews We're
familiar to him; he then in dignl-
fed manner assumes that Felix will
render just decision based on the
facts Of the ease.
2. The Charge Of Sedition Denied
wv. 11-12).
He fatly and scornfully denied this
charge, showing its utter falslty since
the time was too short. 1t being but
twelve days since he went to Jeru-
salem, and half of that time had been
spent as a prisoner Of the Romans.
8. The Charge Of Heresy wv IL
16).
denial. He admitted that he was OF
this way" which they called heresy
but denied that Christians were schis-
MATES. He showed clearly that his ac-
lions were in keeping with the Hebrew
religion.
a. He worshiped the same God
". ~
(2) He fully believed in the same
Scriptures ". 14).
(3) He had the same hope Of a
coming resurrection Of the dead ".
15).
He declared that he had as the prin-
ciple Of life a conscience void Of Of
tense De1Ofp zoo ana man.
az The Charge of Sacrilege or Prof
anation of the Temple wv. 17-2D.
This charge he refuted by showing
~ That he had come all the way
from Greece " NJ worship at
the feast.
(2) That he did nf come up empty
handed butfhad brought aims for his
nation (vfO.
(3) Thft there were not competent
witnesses present to testify of his be-
havior in the temple w. 1917.
az BY challenging his enemies to
testify as to his conduct in the coun-
ell ". 20).
III. Felix Tremhes Before Paul
wv. 22-27),
This is sort Of a sequel to the
trial Wicked as Felix was. Paul's
manner somehow won his favor,
though he did not release him. His
sentence was indulgent Imprisonment,
which kept him free from his enemies
while under Roman protection Felix
sent for Paul that he might hear Of
Christ from him Paul behaved him
self Alright before these sinners in high
life He reasoned Of righteousness.
self-contrOl and Of judgment TO come,
before Felix and his sinful wife with
such power that Felix was terrified,
and declared that he would hear Paul
further at convenient time. This
was a most fiimsy excnse for not
changing his life and granting justice
to Paul.