The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-11-19
Lesson for November %
AN AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS

AN AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS
LESSON TExT-Acts 2s:16-24. 30. 81:
Romans 5:6-11.
GOLDEN TEXT can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Phil. Alb
PRIMARY ToP1c-1n the Worlds Great
junior TOPIC - An Ambassador in
Chains.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
"A Prisoner Speaks for Christ
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Chained But Not Silenced.
The rescue of Paul from the Jew
ish mob by the Roman authorities
resulted in consideration of his case
on their part to determine what
manner of man he was, and why
his words and actions provoked such
violent reactions among the Jewish
subjects of Rome in Judea. When
it appeared that Festus, who was
precurator, was inclined to turn
him over to the Jews at Jerusalem,
Paul, knowing of their hatred,
makes
! 1. An Appeal to Caesar (Acts
J 28:16-19).
It was an act of great signifi-
canoe, and largely determined the
course of Paups life and ministry
until his death. 1t is a question
upon which there is no little diff
ference of opinion whether Paul was
right in making this appeal. Per-
haps DR.. G. Campbell Morgan has
best gathered up the truth of the
matter in saying, Ellis way was
that of an attitude revealing for all
time what the duty of the Christian
man is-to be true to his Lord, to
be true to his conscience, to be
loyal to the powers that be, and
! to make his appeal to them where
necessary, for protection, in order
that he may continue his work in
accordance with the will of his
Lord" Paul made no appeal to
save his own life, but he did want
/ to continue his ministry. And this
he was permitted to do, for after
he had come to Rome we find him
to be
: III. A Prisoner Preacher wv. 90
/ "a, 80, 3D.
, He was chained, but not silenced.
He was anxious that those in Rome
should "see" and speak with him
i(v. 2O). They knew of the Christian
"sect" only by rumor as one (which
everywhere is spoken against" ".
22). He now proclaimed the truth
/ to them, and with what results?
"Some believed and some
disbelieved" ". 23). Again, we see
that the greatest of all preachers
met just the same encouragement
and Encouragement that we face.
The witness and messenger is not
judged by the success that crowns
his efforts, but by the faithfulness
with which he discharges his duty.
Let us not condone our own care
lessness or ineficiency by saying
that even Paul was unsuccessful;
but if we have been faithful and
diligent, let us be encouraged even
though some QlSDelleVe.
; Verse 30 indicates that Paul either
had a large measure of liberty, be-
ing permitted even as a prisoner
to dwell in a private house, or that
he was tried and acquitted and con-
tinued to work in Rome for period
of years. Whichever may be true
we cannot but admire the faithful
testimony of this man upon whose
body time and trials had borne
heavily, but whose spirit was as
young and as powerful as the mes
sage he presented. And what was
his message? We find it in his
epistle to the Roman church. It
was
! III. Justification by Faith (Rom.
5:6-1I.
Christian men and women are
those who were weak ". g., un-
cody ". g., unrighteous sinners
". Z, 81, and enemies of God ".
1O). But having been justified by
his blood ". 81, they are "saved"
". 81. What a beautiful word -
"saved!" Brought back to God,
''reconciled to God through the
death of his Son. ". 10), we are
indeed saved if we have accepted
him as our Saviour.
This was Paul's message, and it
is our message to lost world.