International S. S. Lessons

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 7, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 39.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON VIII.—SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1893.

PAUL BEFORE FELIX.

[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 24:10-25.

And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a 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 synagogues, nor in the city.
Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
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 prophets;
Having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Herein do I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men alway.
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings;
Amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult;
But there were certain Jews from Asia—who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
Or else let these 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.
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain 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.
But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, which was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning 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.—"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." 1 Cor. 16:13.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

Mention the most important intervening events between this and the last lesson. Note 1.
How did Paul begin his speech? Verse 10.
What did he say that Felix could easily learn? Verse 11.
How did he answer their charges? Verse 12.
What had he to say of the charges which they brought against him? Verse 13. Note 2.
To what did he confess? Verse 14.
In what did he have hope? Verse 15.
How did he exercise himself in this hope? Verse 16. Note 3.
For what purpose did he come to Jerusalem? Verse 17. Note 4.
How did they find him in the temple? Verse 18.
Who did he say ought to have been there? Verses 18, 19.
What did he demand of the men who were there before him? Verse 20.
In what particular did he think they might charge him? Verse 21.
What did Felix do in the case? Verse 22. Note 5.
What kindness did he show Paul? Verse 23.
When was Paul again sent for? Verse 24. Note 6.
What did he preach, and how was Felix affected? Verse 25.
What precept of Paul was notably manifest in his own life? Golden text.

NOTES.

Intervening Events.—In our last lesson we left Paul on the steps of the Roman castle, about to speak unto the Jews. Acts 21:40. Following this he makes his defense to the Jews, which was simply preaching Christ (22:1-21); the rising of the mob (verses 22, 23); his examination before the centurion, when his citizenship saved him a scourging (verses 24-30); his hearing before the Jewish council (23:1-6); his deliverance from their hands and from the conspiracy to kill him, and his conveyance by night under the direction of Lysias to Cæsarea (verses 7-32); his reception by Felix (verses 33-35). Five days after the Jews came to prosecute Paul with a brilliant and eloquent lawyer, who with flattering words to Felix presented his charges against Paul of (1) sedition against the government, (2) heresy, (3) profaning the temple, which were confirmed by the Jews (verses 1-9), after which Paul again made his defense and preached the word. Cæsarea, the Roman governor's residence, was 47 miles northwest of Jerusalem, on the Mediterranean. Here Cornelius had been converted, and here lived Philip. Nero was emperor of Rome. Felix was governor of Judea, A.D. 52-60. Agrippa was king of Trachonitis.

2. Neither in the temple.—Paul expressly denies the charge of stirring up tumult or raising trouble, and challenges them to prove it. He went to worship at the temple, hence not to profane it. The witnesses that charged him—the Asiatic Jews—should have been present. To the charge of heresy Paul claims to be a true Jew, believing all the prophets, and in the resurrection, which the prophets foretold.

3. Exercise myself.—That is, discipline myself in this faith and hope. See 1 Cor. 9:27.

4. Bringing alms.—Those which Paul had collected for the disciples, and perhaps the poor who were not disciples. See Rom. 15:25; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2; 2 Cor. 8:1-4; Gal. 2:10.

5. More exact knowledge concerning the Way.—That is, Felix had seen so much of Christianity that he knew the charges of the Jews were false. He also wanted the testimony of Lysias, an impartial witness. He therefore delivered Paul to the centurion to keep safely, but not rigidly. Paul should have indulgence. Here he was kept for two years (see verse 27), that the rulers before whom he appeared might hear the word.

6. Sent for Paul.—Felix was formerly a slave, purchased by Antonia, the mother of the Emperor Claudius. He was a brilliant young man and was given his freedom. Felix gained renown in the army under Claudius, and was made procurator of Judea. He was "avaricious, cruel, and licentious, but withal a man of great talent and energy."—Rev. Com. Tacitus says that he had "the power of a tyrant and the temper of a slave." His wife, Drusilla, was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who died in such horrible torments (Acts 12:23), and sister of the Agrippa of Acts 25. She had deserted her husband, Aziz, king of Hamath, to marry Felix. She and her son, the only fruit of this wicked union, were buried under the ashes of Vesuvius when Pompeii was overwhelmed. No wonder that the wretched sinner was terrified when Paul preached before him of righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come. But he drove away the fear and kept the sin.