LESSON XI.-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1893

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 28, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 42.

LESSON XI.—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1893.

PAUL AT ROME.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Acts 28 : 20-31.

For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me; for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee.
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,
Saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive;
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn again, and I should heal them.
Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles; they will also hear:
And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him,
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.

Golden Text: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." Rom. 1 : 16.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

Tell how the ship's company were received by the islanders. Note 1.
What experience befell Paul? and how did it turn for the spread of the gospel? Note 2.
How long did the company remain at Melita?
Describe the journey from Melita to Rome. Acts 28 : 11-16.
On reaching Rome, to whom did Paul first present his cause?
What answer did the Jews return to Paul's address? Verse 21.
What did they desire? Verse 22.
How was Paul's sect generally regarded?
How was the desire of the Jews to hear of Paul's faith realized? Verse 23.
What scripture did Paul use in his argument?
Give the result of this interview. Verse 24.
How did Paul address the unbelieving Jews? Verses 25-27.
To what class would God send the gospel? Verse 28.
How did this rebuke affect the Jews? Verse 29.
What did Paul do for the next two years? Verses 30, 31.
Under what circumstances did he thus labor? NOTE.

NOTE.

1. Intervening Events.—Upon reaching the island, the ship's company learned that its name was Melita, or, modernly, Malta, situated a few miles south of the larger island of Sicily. The barbarous people received them very courteously, and built for their comfort a large fire. Paul, in gathering fuel to replenish the fire, had fastened upon his hand a venomous viper. This, under natural conditions, meant certain death, and the superstitious islanders considered it a visitation of divine wrath, in punishment for some crime they supposed Paul to be guilty of. Paul shook the reptile off into the fire, and suffered no harm in consequence of his savage bite. This happy result led the barbarians to think that Paul was a god, and thus opened a way whereby he could lead their minds to the true God, who could thus so wonderfully protect his servants. God, through his servant, wrought many miraculous cures upon those who were afflicted. The natives in return gratefully bestowed upon Paul and his company many presents, and gave them needed supplies for the completion of their journey Romeward.

2. Fasting.—The original of this word does not indicate entire abstinence from food. No regular meals had been served, and perhaps scanty rations had been allowed. By his example Paul here shows that Christianity takes into account man's temporal and physical as well as spiritual needs. Paul, like Christ, sought through the agency of the temporal to gain admittance for the spiritual.