The Sunday School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 30, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 38.

The Sunday School

International Series.

LESSON III.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1897.

PAUL BEFORE THE ROMAN GOVERNOR.

NOTE.—The lesson section includes Acts 23:12-35 and chapter 24, taking in the whole story of Paul's transference to Cæsarea, his trial before Felix, and his two years' imprisonment. Impress the truth that "all things work together for good to them that love God." Paul knew, for God had told him, that he should preach in Rome, and the steps here taken in the experience of Paul were steps toward fulfilling that promise, tho during this period it may have been difficult at times for those immediately concerned to see the reason for the circumstances which the Lord permitted. Cæsarea, the place to which Paul had been sent for trial, and where he made his defense before Felix and Agrippa, was situated forty-seven miles northwest of Jerusalem, and was one of the residences of the Roman governor of Judea.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 24:10-25.

10 "And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, "Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years judge unto this nation; I do cheerfully make my defense; seeing that thou canst take knowledge, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem; and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogs, nor in the city. Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the 15 prophets; having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just 16 and unjust. Herein do I also exercise myself to have a con- 17 science void of offense toward God and men alway. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings; 18 amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult; but there were certain Jews from 19 Asia—who ought to have been here before thee, and to make 20 accusation, if they had aught against me. Or else let these 21 men themselves say what wrongdoing they found, when I stood before the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day. 22 "But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain 23 shall come down, I will determine your matter. And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him. 24 "But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, which was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concern- 25 ing the faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time, and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me."

Golden Text.—"Fear thou not; for I am with thee." Isa. 41:10.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) Following the accusations of Tertullus, what privilege was granted Paul? Verse 10. Note 1. (2) What did Paul know in regard to the work of Felix? Same verse. (3) How did this enable him to answer the charges made against him? Same verse. (4) What could Felix know in regard to Paul's course? Verse 11. (5) What denials did Paul make to the charges of his accusers? Verse 12. (6) What did he declare in regard to his accusers' testimony? Verse 13. (7) But to what did he confess? Verse 14. Note 2. (8) What positive declaration did he make of his belief? Same verse. Note 3. (9) What hope did he have in common with his accusers? Verse 15. (10) What division will there be in this great event? Same verse. Note 4. (11) In what worthy way did Paul exercise himself? Verse 16. (12) What act of his own did Paul mention to show that he had come to Jerusalem on an errand of peace? Verse 17. (13) Who seem to have been Paul's special accusers in this matter? Verse 18. (14) In what condition did they find him in the temple? Same verse. (15) How had he conducted himself while there? Same verse. (16) What circumstance would show that their accusations were founded upon malice only? Verse 19. (17) What did he ask those to do who were before him? Verse 20. (18) What was the only thing in which they might accuse him of causing discord? Verse 21. Note 5. (19) What is said of the knowledge of Felix in regard to the Christians? Verse 22. Note 6. (20) Having heard Paul's defense, what did he do? Same verse. (21) What plausible excuse did he offer for so doing? Same verse. (22) What command did he give concerning Paul? Verse 23. (23) What opportunity did Felix give Paul for preaching the Gospel? Verse 24. (24) Who accompanied Felix on this occasion? Same verse. (25) What was the burden of Paul's discourse? Verse 25. (26) How was Felix affected, and what did he say? Same verse. Note 7.

NOTES.

1. Paul answered.—At the trial of Paul, Tertullus had made three charges against him,—treason against Rome, heresy against the Jewish religion, and sacrilege in profaning the temple.

2. But this I confess.—While Paul was ready to deny the charges of treason, heresy, and profanation, he was equally ready to let the governor, or the world, know the faith he held. He did not hide his light even in the presence of him who could take his life. "The Way,"—the belief and teachings of the Christians. Christ is the way, and his followers were known as disciples of "this Way."

3. Believing all things.—The charge of Paul's heresy could not stand in the face of his expressed belief in the "all things which are according to the law and which are written in the prophets." Paul has been accused many times of heresy in regard to the perpetuity of the law of God, of teaching that it was done away. But here is his own statement, a standing refutation of all such charges. Let us not join the accusing Jews in charging Paul with heretical positions on the law question. While Paul admits there were ceremonial laws which ceased at the "coming of the just One," yet he states also emphatically that the law of God is "perfect," "holy," "just," and "good," the "law of liberty."

4. A resurrection both of the just and unjust.—The expression, "which these also themselves look for," is parenthetical. Without it the clause would read, "having hope toward God that there shall be a resurrection," etc. This is not a groundless opinion of Paul's. It is God's truth, and is similarly expressed in other parts of the Word. Read Dan. 12:2; Isa. 26:19; John 5:29; Rev. 20:1-7.

5. This one voice.—Paul does not in this admit that he had in this done any evil; but as "this one voice," or this one expression, was an indirect occasion for the two factions of the Jews wrangling with each other, it might possibly be construed into causing the tumult between them. And yet the dissension already existed among the Jews in regard to the resurrection. Paul's statement simply gave them an excuse for the dispute in which they indulged.

6. Knowledge concerning the Way.—The reason for Felix' knowledge concerning Christ and Christian teachings may be found in the fact that Cæsarea, where Felix lived, was also the home of the centurion, Cornelius, and Philip, the evangelist, also that Felix' wife was a Jewess.

7. Go thy way for this time.—The Spirit was striving with Felix. His sins were many. He was said to be the most wicked governor the Romans had ever set over Judea. No wonder that he trembled when the Spirit showed him the sinfulness of his heart. That was a time of eternal consequences to Felix. His heart had been touched. It was a dangerous time. He had no reason of hoping for a better time than right then and there to surrender to God. He hesitated; and what a costly hesitation! When God speaks to the heart, it is time for the soul to make haste to cut loose from all that binds to earth.