Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-11-21


GOLDEN TEXT-"Herein do I exer-
else myself. to have always a con-
science void OF offense toward Cod and
toward men"-Acts 2416.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Why Paul Was
Not Afraid.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul Before Felix.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Paul Before Felix: A Contrast.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-How to Have Good Conscience.
!. Paul Accused wv. 1-9).
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 barrister, who formally made the
accusation according to Roman law.
He began with flattery. He gave Felix
the fullest praise when he and all 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:
/. "A Pestilent Fellow" ". 81.
This would indicate fellow utterly
base and corrupt-a plague.
2. An Inciter Of Rebellion, a Mover
of Sedition Nv. 81.
This they hoped would bring him in
to conflict with the Roman power.
3. That He Was the Ringleader of
q 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.
f. That He Had Profaned the TEN
pie ". g..
In this charge we see the wickedness
again, they wilfully suppressed facts.
u. PauIs Defense wv. 1O-2D.
This Is 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.
/. Paul's Frankness and Courtesy
". 10Y.
Flattery is entirely wanting. He
gave recognition Of the fact that Felix
had been ruler of this people long
the habits and ways of the Jews were
familiar to him; he then in a digni-
fed manner assumes that Felix will
render a just decision based on the
facts Of the case.
2. The Charge of Sedtlon Denied
wv. 11-12).
He fatty and scornfully denied this
charge, showing its utter falsity 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 prisoner Of the Romans.
3. The Charge Of Heresy wv. a.
16).
This he met by concession and
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-
tons were In keeping with the Hebrew
religion.
Cd He worshiped the same God
". 14).
(2) He fully believed in the same
Scriptures ". 1G.
(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 conscience void Of Of
Tense before God and man.
"a The Charge of Sacrilege or Prof
anation of the Temple wv. 17-2D.
This charge he refuted by showing:
Cd That he had come all the way
from Greece ". ~, to worship at
the feast.
(2) That he did not come up empty
handed but had brought aims for his
nation ". ~.
CD That there were not competent
witnesses present to testify Of his be-
havior in the temple ". 19).
(D BY challenging his enemies to
testify as to his conduct in the coun-
Gil ". POI.
III. Felix TrembIes Before Paul
wv. 22-27).
This is sort of sequel to the
trial Wicked as Felix was, Pauls
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 Il convenient time. This
was most tlmSy excuse for not
changing his life and granting justice
to Paul.
Increasing Burdens