Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1925-11-28


Acts 26:19.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Paul Tells Why
He Obeyed Jesus
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul Tells a King
About Jesus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Pauls Defense Of His Mission.
More than two years had elapsed
since Paul had been tried before Felix,
during which time Jewish hatred for
him had not abated. AS soon as Fes-
tus, the new governor, went to Jeru-
salem he was besieged with accusa-
tions against Paul. His accusers de-
sired that he be brought to Jerusalem
for trial, intending to lie in wait and
kill him on the way. Festus refused
their request. but agreed to give them
an opportunity to accuse Paul II they
would 60 down to Caesarea. They
were unable to prove anything against
him. Festus, willing to please the
Jews, proposed to send him to Jerusa-
lem for trial. Paul rebuked Festus for
this, declaring that he knew very we'll
that he was innocent. Seeing that 1t
was impossible to get Justice before
Festus, Paul made use Of his right as
a Roman citizen and appealed to
Caesar. This surprised Festus. His
failure to release an innocent man
placed him in an awkward position for
he could give no explanation as to
why an innocent man should 60 to
Rome for trial.
I. Paul Before the King (25 1920.
The occasion Of his appearing before
Agrippa was the visit of Agrippa and
Bernice to Festus Upon their arrival
they expressed a desire. to hear Paul.
whereupon Festus told them Of his per-
plexity. SO it was arranged that Paul
be brought before them for examina-
tion The gospel should be preached
to all regardless of wealth or station
in life.
II. PauI's Defense Before Agrippa
(26:1-2O.
i. The Introduction wv. 1-3),
He expressed his delight that he
now could speak and tell his case to
one who was able to follow his line of
argument, for Agrippa was an expert
in questions concerning the Jews; but
most Of all he was now happy in wit
Messing to him of the Savior, and per-
haps leading him into the light Of
God.
9. His Manner Of Life wv. 4-12).
This, he showed had been in strict
est accord with the most rigid sect Of
Jews. He possessed the same hope
!. e., that of a coming Deliverer, and
reminded them of the fact that for
merly he was most bitterly opposed to
Christ as his zeal would prove.
3. His Supernatural Conversion wv.
13-15).
Jesus Christ appeared to him on the
way to Damascus and revealed Him.
self to him.
4. Jesus Christ Commissioned Him
for His Work (vv 1919.
He was sent unto the Gentiles:
% To open their eyes so awfully
blinded.
(2) To perform the blessed work of
turning them from darkness to light
(3) To turn them from the power of
satan unto God.
(4) That they might receive forgive
ness of sins
60 And that they might obtain an
Inheritance among the saints
5. His Conservation wv. 1929.
AS soon as he received his commits
sion, he obeyed Every man should
instantly obey the call of God and
devote his life to carrying forward
the work entrusted to him. The Wig
orous prosecution Of his work brought
him into conflict with the Jews, for
which they sought to kill him.
6. The Interruption by Festus ".
24).
Seeing how thoroughly in earnest
Paul was, FeStus attempted to account
for it by calling him crank, attribut-
ing it to the rawlings Of an unbalanced
mind.
Z. Paul's Appeal to Agrippa wv.
1920.
Still maintaining his courage, he ap-
pealed to Agrippa's knowledge of the
work of Jesus and Of the prophets,
for they have an intimate connection.
Ill. Agrippa Almost Persuaded wv.
2s-32).
Whether Agrippa's answer was a
contemptuOus sneer or not, it is quite
evident that his soul was wrought
llDOn. He saw the claim of Christ uDon
him but was unwilling to yield. Sad,
indeed, that man should be so near
to eternal life, and yet lost! Paul
took Agrippa seriously. His heart
longed that Agrippa. and all concerned,
might accept Christ and be saved.
For RELIGIOUS Peace