The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-11-19

GOLDEN TEXT can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth
me.
LESSON TExT-Acts 25:1-l2; 20:
1881.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Paul in the Great.
est City of the World.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Pauls Lifelong
Ambition Fulfilled.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-A Prisoner Proclaims the Gospel
in Rome.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Paul's Ministry In the Worlds
Capital
!. Paul Appeals to Caesar (25 lip.
In order to appreciate this action
on the part of Paul it is we'll to get
synthetic grasp Of the experiences
which forced him to make this appeal
/. His trial before Felix (Acts 24).
The officials Of the Sanhedrin were
represented by Tertullus. a Roman
barrister. He brought a fourfold
charge against Paul:
a. A pestilent fellow ". 81.
b. An inciter of rebellion ". 81.
c. The ringleader Of sect ". 81.
d. A profaner Of the temple ". g..
To this charge Paul replied In a clear
and dignified manner, setting forth the
facts Of his life, and demanded that
his adversaries bring proof of their
accusation. Felix was greatly moved
by Paul's testimony concerning Christ,
but postponed decision, expecting to
receive a bride from Paul.
2. Trial before Festus (25 :1-12).
Festus was the successor Of Felix.
Two years had elapsed, but the Jew.
ish hatred had not abated. Paurs foes
in Jerusalem sought to have him
brought there for trial, intending to lie
in wait and kill him on the way. Fes-
tus. willing to please the Jews, pur.
posed to send him to Jerusalem for
trial For this Paul rebuked him, de-
claring that he very we'll knew that he
was innocent. Seeing that 1t was I'M.
possible to get Justice at the hands of
Festus, he made use Of his right as a
Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar.
Festus was taken by surprise and
found himself in an embarrassing po-
sition, as he was unable to explain to
Caesar as to why an innocent man
should go to Rome for trial.
8. Trial before Agrippa (25:13-
26 :32). This was occasioned by the
visit to Festus of Agrippa and Der.
nice. Upon their arrival, Festus told
them of his perplexity. Therefore.
they expressed desire to hear Paul.
Paul gladly made his defense before
them and appealed to them to accept
Christ
n. Paurs Journey to Rome (27 :1-44).
l. The ship ". 81. 1t was in YES
sci Of Alexandria sailing from Myra
to Italy.
2. The company wv. 2. 81. Two
Of Paul's friends, Aristarchus and
Luke, were permitted to go with him.
Besides these three there were 273
in the ship.
8. The storm wv. 14-2O). The ship
made little Roadway on account Of I'm.
favorable winds. Paul advised that
they winter in Fair Haven wv. 9-12).
but his advice was unheeded. In
verses IA to 20 we have most graphic
description of the storm. Tempestuous
winds as well as soft breezes await
Gods faithful ones.
4. Paul's serene faith wv 21-26).
God is as near to his faithful ones on
a stormy sea as in the quietude Of
the home. Paul was not only calm,
but babe the people be Of good cheer
". 22). He promised them safety
though the ship would go to pieces.
5. The ships crew safe (vv 27-44).
All turned out as God had promised.
~. Paul's Ministry In Rome (Acts
2s :15-31).
1. Welcomed by the brethren ".
15). They met him at the April
forum, distance Of about forty miles
from Rome. This was the first time
he was thus welcomed.
9. Paurs lenient treatment ". l6)
He was allowed to hire house and
live apart. being guarded by soldier.
3. Conference with the leading
Jews wv. 1922. He allowed himself
was to have fair understanding with
the Jews. He explained the reason
for his being there. The result was
that the Jews took neutral ground. but
expressed a desire to hear what Paul
could say in defense Of sect which
was evil spoken against.
4. Paul expounding the kingdom Of
God and persuading concerning Jesus
wv. 23-31). He pointed out real
kingdom, the Messianic Kingdom.
with the historic Jesus as the King.
The kingdom to Paul meant a definite
reign Of definite person. not merely
an improved state Of society. This he
showed from the Scriptures. He went
through the Old Testament. carefully
showing the kingdom teaching to be in
1 harmony with the law and the
prophets.