The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1928-11-15
Improved Uniform International
Si11nldaySclloel
' Lesson '
(By REV. p. Il. FITZWATER, DID,, Dean
Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.)
20. 1929. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for November IS
PAUL'S EXPERIENCES IN JERU-
SALEM

PAUL's EXPERIENCES IN JERU-
SALEM
LESSON TEXT-Acts 21:1S-23:22.
| GOLDEN TEXT-Be strong in the
| PRIMARY TOPIC-How Boy Helped
His Uncle.
JUNIOR TOPIC-How Boy Helped
His Uncle.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
| IC-Paul Proves His Courage.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
| IC-Religious Prejudice and Fanati-
cism.
! |. PauI's Vow (21 1926.
Upon Paul's arrival at Jerusalem
representatives of the church there
gave him a most cordial reception. In
order that the brethren in Jerusalem
might graciously receive him, it was
proposed to him by the elders that he
take a Jewish vow to prove that he
was in no way opposed to the law.
The effort was to remove prejudice.
II. PauI's Arrest (21 :27-40).
How far this act conciiated the
Christian Jews we are not told, but
it only enraged the unbelieving Jews,
causing them to resort to mob law.
! These maddened Jews on the basis of
a supposition seized Paul, dragged
him from the temple and beat him
mercilessly, intending to put him to,
death. Paul was rescued from the
mob by the Roman guard. The chief
nont0ir haiYop 0h1a RI in,
formation from the bowling mob,
bound Paul and started for the CASTLE
In order to protect him, the soldiers
lifted him upon their shoulders and
bore him up the stairs.
III. Paul's Defense 22:1-2O.
Paurs chief concern was not his
own safety. He used this last oppor-
tunity of witnessing for Christ.
l. Els just claim for a hearing wv.
1-3).
ID His birth ". 81. He was Jew,
born in Tarsus. a city of no mean
reputation.
(2) His education ". 81. He was
educated in a school under the tutor
ship of Gamaliel and instructed sac
cording to the perfect manner of the
law of the fathers"
(3) His zeal ". 81. He was as
Jealous toward God as those Jews
who were trying to destroy him.
2. His former attitude toward
Jesus wv. 4, 81.
II prosecuted this way unto the
DEATH" so that his attitude was one
of hatred as was that of the Jews.
3. How his attitude was changed
wv. G-16).
This change of attitude was brought
about by the Intervention of Cod
While on his way to Damascus with
authority to bring the Christians to
Jerusalem to be punished, Paul was
smitten to the ground by light from
heaven, and the voice of the Lord
said, "Why persecutest thou Me?"
When Paul inquired as to at he
was to do, he was told to 90 lto Da-
mascus where he would be told what
to do. Ananias was sent by the Lord
to make known His will.
1llC Lulu NOlIllIlSSlOIltu IT'LL W
go to the Gentiles wv. 17-2D.
1t was not of his own will that he
preached to the Gentiles, but oy the
Lords direct commission.
w. Paul Before the sanhedrin
(23:1-1O).
The Roman officer, in order to learn
why Paul was arrested, commanded
the chief council to assemble, and
brought Paul before them.
1. Pauls earnest look at the coun-
Gil wv. 1, y.
This was solicitation of their hon
or to give him a fair hearing, and
also look of conscious integrity and
unfaltering courage.
2. Paul's stern rebuke of the head
of the council ". 81.
God shall smite thee, thou whited
wall" This was a just sentence, no
doubt directed by the Lord. Paul
showed that he had the highest re-
spect for the Office, but the man then
occupying 1t was not worthy of it.
3. Pauls appeal to the Pharisees
wv. 6-10).
Seeing that he could not get a fair
hearing, and perceiving that the body
before him was made up of Pharisees
and Sadducees, he appealed to the
Pharisees for his preaching and some
thing in common with their belief.
V. The Lord Stood by Paul ". 11).
He was in great need of grace to
sustain him. He may have begun to
question the wisdom of his going to
Jerusalem, but this assured him that
his course was right, and thus COM
fort was brought to him.
vi. The Conspiracy to Kill Paul
(vv. 1920.
More than forty men banded to-
gether for the purpose of getting Paul
out of the way. This plot was known
to PauPs sisters son ". 16), who re-
ported it, and thus doubtless saved
the apostles life.