The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-11-19
Sunday, Nov. %.

ounudyt NOV -.
Read Acts %: LIZ: IS: 1851
Romans SILL; Philippians l:l2
ID: 4:22.
Study Acts 2S:l6-2l, 30, 81
Romans 5:6-ll.
II was about the middle OF
August. 50 AID, and only a few
days after the bearing before
Agrippa that Festus started Paul
in charge of a centurion on the
way from CaeSarea 10 Rome. The
voyage required about six months
since. owing 20 the wreck early
in November, they were detained
three months on the island OF
Melita. At last therefore Paul
CAME 10 the capital OF the empire,
the center of the worlds COM
merce. law, and learning, situat-
ed on the seven hills By the River
Tiber Is miles from the sea.
ROMAN MINISTRY IN PRISON
(Aets 2s)
Paurs Imprisonment at Rome
was featured by preaching the
Kingdom Of God. We note: Cd
Taurs arrival in Rome marked the
beginning Of his first Roman I'm
prisonment. On arrival at Rome
the prisoners were delivered 70
the Pretorian Project who had
charge Of all who were 10 be tired
before the Emperor. Paul was
not confined in the common pri-
son but was allowed to dwell by
himself. This lenience was per-
hapS attributable 10 julius the
centurion who had brought Paul
from CaeSarea. However, the
Apostle was kept constantly
chained 20 his guardsmen, and
since the guards were frequently
changed to relieve each other, II
is evident that many Roman sol
diers came under PaurS influence.
(2) Paul's first interview with the
Jews was devoted TO an explana-
ton OF his appeal unto Caesar.
When Paul arrived in Rome very
many Jews. some Of them. veal
thy and influential. were residing
there. After three days OF re-
cuperation from his journey. salu-
tation Of the church and necessary
prison preparation. he called the
chiefs OF the Jews together. His
purpose was 20 set himself right
before his countrymcn and 10 win
them to Jesus the Messiah He
,old them Of his groundlesS ar
rest, OF his virtual acquittal at
Caesarea and of his appeal TO
Caesar as a measure of seli-de-
Tense. The real ground Of his
Imprisonment was his misunder-
stood advocacy of the nations
fcndest hopes as now fulfilled I'M
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
parcntly closed with the an
nouncement of another meeting.
(3) Paurs second interview with
the Jews was devoted To an en-
deavor 10 persuade them concern
ing Jesus. On the day appointed,
the Jews gathered in large num-
bers at the rented apartments OF
Paul or possibly the more com
modiouS residence of some Ro-
man Christian. The Apostle spent
the entire day teaching them out
of their own Scriptures the things
concerning Christ. Evening came
and some believed while others re-
jected the teaching Of the great
prisoner. As the audience, some
in obstinate unbelicf, was leaving
the room. Paul quoted the proph-
ecy of Isaiah concerning their
hardness Of heart and declared his
intention Of extending his minis
try TO the Gentiles. With much
wordiness and heated discussion
the Jews turned away. ca PauPs
two years at Rome were spent
preaching the kingdom of God.
During the next two years Paul
though in charge Of and chained
constantly to, a Roman soldier,
was allowed to dwell in his own
hired house. There he received
everybody who came to him, not