The times-news., 1936-11-14

htdu AVIS = Il - w ~ c''N' NN
mans 9:l-5.
Study Acts 2l:l2, IS, 27-34; Ro-
mans 9:l-5.
Paul exhibited the heroism of
Christian faith as guest in the
home of Philip at CaeSarea, while
returning from Southern Europe,
as a worShiper in the Temple at
Jerusalem while on his last visit
to that city, and in his letter ito
all that are in Rome, beloved Of
God, called TO be saints"
HEROISM IN STEADFASTNESS
(Acts 21)
To His Friends at Caesarea Paul
exhibited the heroism of steadfast-
ness. He was making what proved
be his last journey to Jerusalem.
Indeed he had repeated lntlma-
tions that afflictions were await
ing him. The Ephesian elders sor-
rowed at Miletus that they should
see his face no more. Touching at
Tyre he was told through the
Spirit, that he should not go up to
Jerusalem" Finishing the voyage
at Caesarea and while a guest
there in the house Of Philip the
deacon-evangelist and father of
prophetesses, the Apostle had a
still harder pull from his purpose.
The prophet Agabus, having ar
rived from Judea and joined the
company, took Pauls girdle and
bound his own feet and hands and
by authority of the Holy Spirit
declared, $50 shall the Jews at
Jerusalem bind the man that own
eth this girdle, and shall deliver
him into the hands. of the Cen
tiles" At once the entire party
iourneying with Paul, and all the
guests and friends assembled at
Philips house, "besought him not
to 90 to Jerusalem. But the
Apostle believed it to be the will
of God that he should complete
his journey as he had prayerfully
planned. He regarded the fore
casts of the Spirit not as forbid
ding but rather as fortifying him
for the ordeal ahead. Of course
the anxious and fearful pleadings
of his friends broke his heart. Still
he had such conviction of his duty
that he would not be persuaded.
In complete surrender to the will
of God he was ready not to be
bound only (as' vividly pictured
by the sign of the girdle) "but also
to die at Jerusalem for the name
of the Lord Jesus" He was not
throwing his life away but simply
investing it where it would yield
the largest returns for the cause
of Christ. To their credit his
friends dried their tears and ceas-
ed their plea saying, "The will of
the Lord be donew
HERoISM IN SUFFERING
(Aets 21)
To His Foes at Jerusalem Paul
exhibited the heroism of suffering.
The day after Pauls arrival in
Jerusalem he was given public
hearing by the assembled elders
and church. Many rejoiced but
many also heard coldly about Gen
tiles coming into the. churches. To
pacify the Jewish zealots, Paul
agreed to the suggestion of James
that he join with four men, prob
ably members of the local church,
in fulfilling their vow by personal
abstinence and ceremonial purifi-
cation, himself bearing the ex-
penses of all five as an example
especially meritorious from a jew
ish point of view. But the event
was not what James and Paul ex-
pected.
, Q) The attack was utterly
groundless. Almost the entire
Seven days requisite to the fulfil
nient of the vow made by the four
men, now joined and supported by
Paul, were completed when an in
cident occurred which threw the
city into an uproar. Attending
the feast now in progress were a
number of Jews from Roman Asia,
some Of whom were doubtless
from Ephesus and thus well &C
ouainted with Paups work there.
They had recognized the Apostle
on the streets of Jerusalem and
observed with him one of the
Trophimus, who as Gentle
would be denied the Temple privil-
eges. which were legal for Jews
only. When, therefore, these visi-