The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-12-14
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
PAUL IN ROME
By HIGHT {. MOORE

20 miles from Rome. 1t is no
wonder that when Paul saw them
he thanked God and took cour-
age"
/ On arrival at Rome the prison
ers were delivered to the Pre-
torian Prefecr who had charge
of all who were to De tried be
: fore the emperor. Paul was not
confined in a common prison, but
was suffered TO abide by him.
self" This leniency was perhaps
attributable 10 the centurion who
had brought Paul from Caesarea.
But he was kept constantly
chained TO his guardsman, anG
since the guards were frequently
changed TO relieve each other,
there were many Roman soldiers
who came under Pauls influence.
EXPLAINING THE
APPEAL TO CAESAR
The interview with the Jews
was devoted primarily 20 explain
ing the appeal unto Caesar. When
Paul arrived in Rome very many
Jews, some OF them wealthy and
influential. were residing there.
After three days of recuperation
from his journey, salutation OF
the church and necessary prison
preparations, ne called the chiefs
of the Jews together. His pur-
pose was 70 set himself right be-
fore his cOuntrymen and 70 WIN
them TO Jesus the Messiah. He
told them of his groundlesS ar
rest. of his virtual acquittal al
Caesarea and OF his appeal 70
Caesar as a measure OF self-de-
Tense. The real ground OF his
imprisonme..t was his misunder-
stood advocacy of the nations
fondest hopes as now fulfilled in
Jesus the Messiah. The Jews re-
sponded that they had not heard
anything against Paul though
they knew of the hostility toward
Christianity. The interview APP
parently closed with the an
nouncement of another meeting.
On the day appointed. the
Jews gathered in large numbers
st the rented apartments OF Paul
or possibly the more commodlous
residence of some Roman Chris
tian. The Apostle spent the en-
tire day teaching them out OF
their own Scriptures the things
concerning Christ. Evening came
and some believed while others
rejected the teaching OF the great
prisoner. As the audience, some
in obstinate unbelief. was leaving
the room, Paul quoted the proph-
ecy of Isaiah concerning their
hardness of heart, and declared
his intention of extending his
ministry to the Gentiles. With
much wordiness and heated dis
cussion the Jews turned away.
PREACHING THE
KINGDOM OF GOD
The two years of Imprisonment
were occupied with preaching the
Kingdom of God. Though in
charge of. and chained to, a Ro-
man soldier. Paul was allowed to
dwell in his own hired house.
There he received everybody who
came TO him, not being permitted
to visit the synagogue or go from
house to house. In bold, un-
forbidden ministry he preached
the Kingdom of God and taught
the Messiahship of Jesus. Here
also and during the first Roman
Imprisonment, were written four
of the Pauline epistles-Ephe-
slams, Philippians. Colossians, and
Philemon. No doubt also Paul
did very efficient work among
the soldiers guarding him.
FORWARD FOR CHRIST
% Forward with God. eve
entered into Rome" In unex-
pected ways our desires are some
times attained, even as Paul real
lied his hope to visit Rome. The
apparently unfavorable turn in
affairs may open wider field
than if our plans were precisely
carried out. And if letters come,
God will tighten them so that We
can do good in spite Of them,