were fightings, within were fears; until God who comforts them that are
cast down, comforted me by the coming of Titus." [2]
[Sidenote: Second Epistle to Corinthians.]
Titus told him that the members of the Church in Corinth who had been
doing wrong had been excommunicated, and that many of the saints were
doing better. Hearing this, Paul wrote another letter to them, (the
second Epistle to the Corinthians) and sent Titus back with it.
[Sidenote: Offerings.]
Titus seems to have been one of the chief men in collecting
contributions for the relief of the poor in Judea. When he returned to
Corinth, he continued to make collections for Paul to take to Jerusalem
in the near future. [3]
The next we hear of Paul, he is in Corinth. While there he hears that
the Galatians were saying that he was not an apostle because Jesus
had not chosen him as one of the Twelve. So he wrote a letter to the
Galatians in which he says,
[Sidenote: Galatians Reproved.]
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you unto the
grace of Christ unto another Gospel."
Then he warns them against accepting any other Gospel, for if anyone
preach any other Gospel, "let him be accursed."
Here he also wrote his epistle to the Romans.
[Sidenote: Retraces Steps.]
Paul prepared to go to Palestine direct from Corinth, but he heard of a
plot to take his life. To frustrate this, he retraced his steps through
Macedonia. When the company again reached Philippi, Timothy and several
others went ahead to Troas. Paul and Luke remained for a short time and
then rejoined the company at Troas.
A LONG AND MEMORABLE MEETING
When Sunday came, all the disciples "came together to break bread," and
Paul preached to them his farewell sermon. As he was to leave them in
the morning, they persuaded him to continue his speech until midnight,
which he did.
The meeting was held in an upper room, the windows of which were all
thrown open so the congregation could enjoy the cool of the evening.
[Sidenote: Eutychus Falls.]
Sitting in one of the windows was a young man named Eutychus who
listened to the sermon as long as he could, and then fell asleep. As
Paul continued to preach, Eutychus continued to nod, until finally
he became overbalanced and fell into the courtyard below. No doubt a
woman's scream first interrupted the sermon. The people sprang to their
feet, and rushed below, and picked the young man up for dead.
[Sidenote: Restored.]
Paul, too, went down, and embracing the boy, said,
"Trouble not yourselves for his life is in him."
[IMAGE: ST. PAUL AT MILETUS WITH THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS.
"And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing
most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no
more."]
Thankful that the young man was restored, the people returned to the
room, and Paul preached to them until morning.
Paul's companions went by ship to Assos, but he preferred to walk the
twenty miles alone.
At Assos he went abroad the ship and sailed to Mitylene, thence to
Chios, and the next day to Samos, about a mile from which they tarried
at Trogyllium.
[Sidenote: At Miletus.]
On the next day, Paul sailed past Ephesus, thinking that he would not
have time to visit the Saints there, for he wanted to be in Jerusalem
on the day of Pentecost. But when he reached Miletus, a few miles from
Ephesus, he sent word over to the Elders of the Church to come to him.
This they did with all gladness, and listened with intense interest to
his address to them. [4]
"And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all."
That little company of Christians assembled in an obscure place on the
seashore presents to our minds one of the most beautiful pictures of
the world, and their farewell greeting one of the most impressive and
pathetic.
[Sidenote: A Sad Farewell.]
When the beloved apostle was about to leave them, "they all wept sore,
and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him; sorrowing most of all for the
words which he spake." It seemed that they just could not bear to have
him leave them. They clung to him even when he went aboard the ship,
and it was with difficulty that his companions drew Paul from them.
A similar scene was enacted at Tyre where the company remained seven
days. While Paul was visiting and comforting the Saints here, they
entreated him not to go up to Jerusalem, because his life would be in
danger. But Paul could not be persuaded.
When the time came to say "goodby," the men, women and children all
went with Paul and his company down to the shore. Here they all kneeled
down and prayed, and bade farewell "one of another." Then Paul and his
companions entered the ship, and the sorrowing Saints returned slowly
to their homes.
AT CAESAREA
At Caesarea the missionaries were entertained by Philip, the
evangelist, one of the seven chosen deacons.
[Sidenote: A Prophecy.]
While they were there, Agabus, a prophet came down from Jerusalem and
after greeting them all, took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands
and feet, saying,
"Thus sayeth the Holy Ghost, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the
man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of
the Gentiles."
Hearing this prophecy, Luke and all Paul's company pleaded with him not
to go to Jerusalem. But Paul answered,
[Sidenote: Ready to Die.]
"What mean ye to weep and to break my heart? for I am ready not to
be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus."
"All right," said his friends, "The will of the Lord be done."
From Caesarea, they traveled by carriage to Jerusalem, where the
brethren received them gladly.
Footnotes:
1. II Cor. 2:13.
2. II Cor. 7:6.
3. II Cor. 8.
4. See Acts 20:17-35.
LESSON 35
EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN JERUSALEM
"In the huge mass of evil as it rolls and swells, there is ever some
good working toward deliverance and triumph."
[Sidenote: At Headquarters.]
At Jerusalem, Paul and his companions met with the Church and
undoubtedly gave the money that had been given by the Gentile churches
for the benefit of the poor in Judea. At the advice of James, the
brother of the Lord, who was then presiding over the Church in
Jerusalem, Paul shaved his head, and did certain other things to show
the Jews that he was willing to observe the Jewish laws.
[Sidenote: Falsely Accused.]
When he had been in Jerusalem about a week, he went to the temple to
worship. There happened to be also in the temple, some men who had
seen Paul in Asia with the Gentiles. Thinking that he had brought
some of these Gentiles into the temple, they stirred up the people,
seized Paul, and cried out, "Men of Israel, help; this is the man
that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and
this place; and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath
polluted this place."
Of course, this was not true, but it served to arouse the crowd, who
dragged Paul out of the temple and shut the doors. In their rage they
were about to kill Paul, which they would have done but for the timely
interference of a Roman officer.
Stationed in the castle north of the temple was a guard of soldiers
under command of an officer called the "Chief Captain."
[Sidenote: Rescued From Death.]
When somebody told the captain, whose name was Claudius Lysius, that
there was trouble in the outer court of the temple, he hurried the
soldiers down there just as the mob began to beat and trample Paul to
death. The soldiers rescued Paul; but the captain thinking he was a
desperate man, commanded him to be bound with chains.
"Who is this man, and what has he done?" Claudius asked of the angry
Jews.
Some cried one thing and some another in such confusion that the chief
captain could understand nothing; so he said to the soldiers, "Carry
him to the castle."
[Sidenote: On the Castle Steps.]
As the soldiers bore Paul away, the mob, acting like wolves after their
prey, followed, crying, "Away with him." Just as they were going up
the steps into the castle, Paul speaking in Greek said to the chief
captain, "May I speak unto thee?"
"Canst thou speak Greek?" answered the captain, "Aren't you that
Egyptian who sometime ago made an uproar here and led out into the
wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?"
"I am a Jew from Tarsus," answered Paul, "a city in Cilicia, a citizen
of no mean city, I beseech thee let me speak unto the people."
Hoping to learn something about the cause of the uproar the chief
captain gave his consent.
Paul turned to the people and beckoned for them to be quiet. Their
yelling ceased, especially when they heard Paul speak in Hebrew, their
own language. [1]
[Sidenote: The Word "Gentiles."]
The Jews listened to him quietly until he happened to mention the word
"Gentiles," then they cried, "Away with such a fellow from the earth;
for it is not fit that he should live."
In their anger, they took off their coats and threw dust in the air to
show how they hated him.
[Sidenote: Ordered Whipped.]
Being still in doubt as to what Paul had done, the chief captain
ordered him brought into the castle and whipped until Paul told why the
Jews cried so against him. As they were binding him to beat him, Paul
said to the centurion who stood by.
"Is it lawful for you to whip a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?"
When the centurion heard this, he hurried to the chief captain saying,
"Take heed what thou doest; for this man is a Roman." Then the chief
captain came and said to Paul,
"Tell me, art thou a Roman?"
"Yes," answered Paul.
"With a great sum obtained I this freedom," said Claudius.
"But I was a free born Roman," proudly answered Paul.
When they heard this, those who were going to torture him hurried away
from him, and the chief captain, too, was troubled; for he knew he had
no right to put chains on a Roman citizen who had not had a fair trial.
BEFORE ANANIAS THE HIGH PRIEST
Next morning Paul was brought before Ananias the High Priest and the
Council.
[Sidenote: Paul Smitten.]
"And Paul earnestly beholding the council said,
"Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until
this day."
At this Ananias became so enraged that he said to those who stood by
Paul,
"Smite him on the mouth."
"God shall smite thee, thou whited wall," answered Paul with sudden
anger. "Sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be
smitten contrary to the law?"
[Sidenote: Temper Controlled.]
Those who stood nearest Paul said, "Revilest thou God's High Priest?"
Then Paul, getting control of his feelings answered,
"I did not know, brethren, that he was the High Priest; for it is
written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."
[Sidenote: Two Sects.]
Paul then noticed that in the council were two parties, some Pharisees
and some Sadducees; so by speaking wisely of the resurrection, he won
the Pharisees on his side, who said,
"We find no evil in this man. It may be that an angel or a spirit has
spoken to him."
This made the Sadducees angry, the two factions got to quarreling and
became so angry at each other that the chief captain fearing that they
would tear Paul to pieces, commanded the soldiers to take him back to
the castle.
[Sidenote: Divine Comfort.]
On the next night while Paul was still in the castle, the Lord stood by
him and said,
"Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem
so must thou also bear witness at Rome."
[Sidenote: A Plot to Kill.]
On the following morning about forty of these angary Jews bound
themselves together by an oath, swearing that they would neither eat
nor drink until they had killed Paul. To accomplish this, they said to
the chief Priests, "we have bound ourselves under a great oath that we
will taste nothing until we have slain Paul. Now, you ask the chief
captain to bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you would inquire
something more; and we, as soon as he comes near us, will be ready to
kill him."
But their plot became known to Paul's sister's son, who hastened to the
castle, and told his uncle all about it. After hearing his nephew's
story, Paul called one of the centurions, and said,
[Sidenote: The Plot Frustrated.]
"Take this young man to the chief captain; for he hath a certain thing
to tell him." The centurion did as directed and said to the chief
captain,
"Paul, the prisoner, called me to him, and asked me to bring this young
man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee."
"What is it thou hast to tell me?" asked the chief captain.
"The Jews have agreed to ask you to take Paul tomorrow into the
Council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
But do not thou yield unto them; for there lie in wait for him about
forty men, who have bound themselves together with an oath that they
will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him."
The chief captain believed the young man and said to him.
"See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me." The
chief captain then called two centurions saying,
"Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and seventy
horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. Tell them to be ready at nine
o'clock tonight to take Paul safely unto Felix the governor."
Claudius Lysius then wrote a letter to Governor Felix explaining,
briefly, why Paul was being sent to him. [2] He also sent word to
Paul's accusers to go to the Governor and make their charges known.
When Paul, safe and sound, appeared before Felix, the Governor asked,
[Sidenote: At Caesarea.]
"What province are you from?"
"From Cilicia," Paul answered.
"I will hear thee," said Felix, "when thine accusers are also come."
Paul was then put in Herod's judgment hall until his trial five days
later.
[Sidenote: In Confinement.]
Thus had Paul's life within the short space of a few days been twice
preserved from those who wanted to kill him. God had spoken to him,
saying, "Be of good cheer," and although he was still a prisoner, there
was peace in his soul for he knew he had done only what was right, and
that God approved of his labors.
Footnotes:
1. Read the entire speech as recorded in Acts 22:1-21.
2. See Acts 23:25-30.
LESSON 36
TWO YEARS IN PRISON
"I have a conscience void of offense toward God and all men."--Joseph
Smith.
BEFORE FELIX
Five days after Paul had been put in the Judgment Hall, the high priest
Ananias and some of his elders came to Caesarea to appear against him.
They brought with them a lawyer named Tertullus.
Felix, the Roman Governor, summoned the prisoner to appear before him
to hear from the Jewish lawyer what things Paul had done. The hired
lawyer began his speech by flattering Felix, to win his favor, and then
charged Paul as follows:
[Sidenote: Paul Falsely Accused.]
"This man is a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition among all the Jews
throughout the world and a ringleader among the sect called Nazarenes.
He has profaned the temple, and has done many other things for which he
should be punished."
And the Jews all cried out,
"Yes, these things are true."
When they had spoken, Felix motioned with his hand for Paul to speak in
his own defense, which he did by saying:
[Sidenote: Paul's Defense.]
"As I know that thou hast been of many years a judge over this people,
I cheerfully answer for myself these charges of the Jews. Twelve days
ago, I went up to Jerusalem to worship; but I deny that I disputed with
any man, or that I stirred up the people, either in the synagogues, or
in the city. Neither can they prove the charges they make against me.
"This, however, I do confess, that after the way which they call
heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing in the law and
the prophets, and in the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and
the unjust; and I try to live to have always a clear conscience void of
offense toward God, and men."
[Sidenote: Innocent but a Prisoner.]
Paul spoke so earnestly and honestly that Felix was convinced he spoke
the truth; and when he concluded, Felix knew he was innocent, but, for
fear of displeasing the Jews, who, he could see, hated Paul, he told
the officers to hold Paul a prisoner, but to give him his liberty, and
to let his friends come to see him. So Ananias and Turtullus had to go
back to Jerusalem without having seen Paul punished. They still hoped,
however, to get him either scourged or killed.
[Sidenote: Before Felix and Druscilla.]
Several days later, Felix and his wife Druscilla, a Jewess, called Paul
before them to hear more about this Christian doctrine. Unfortunately
the governor and his wife had not lived a good life; so when Paul
"reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come upon
sinners, Felix trembled, and answered,
"Go away for this time; when I find it again convenient to hear you, I
will send for you."
[Sidenote: Offered a Bribe.]
Felix was not a just judge, yet he wanted to dismiss Paul; but he hoped
to get some money for doing it. So he called the prisoner before him
many times, and hinted that if Paul would give him money, he would free
him; but Paul scorned the intimation to be bribed.
So for two years Paul was kept in prison; but during that time, he no
doubt preached the Gospel to many of his friends, and perhaps to many
strangers as well. When Felix was released as governor, "willing to
show the Jews a pleasure, he left Paul bound."
BEFORE FESTUS
[Sidenote: Another Wicked Scheme.]
Felix was succeeded by Festus, who was a more just and honorable
governor. Festus remained in Caesarea about three days, and went up to
visit Jerusalem. Then the chief priests and others tried to poison his
mind against Paul, and asked that he might be brought from Caesarea to
Jerusalem to be tried. It was their wicked plan to waylay Paul and kill
him.
But Festus answered, "This prisoner will be kept at Caesarea, and I
will return there myself. Let some of your ablest men go down with me,
and prove that this man is as wicked as you say."
Ten days later, in Caesarea, Festus sat on the judgment seat, and
summoned Paul before him. They again accused Paul of many wicked
things, but could prove none of them. Paul again answered for himself,
saying,
[Sidenote: Denies Charges.]
"I have done no wrong against the law of the Jews, neither against the
temple; nor against Caesar."
Festus, desiring to please the Jews, and not knowing that they desired
to kill Paul, said,
"Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these
things before me?"
"I am standing in a Roman court, where I ought to be judged; I have not
wronged the Jews, as thou very well knowest; and no man shall deliver
me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar."
[Sidenote: Appeal to Caesar.]
Paul, you remember, was a Roman citizen; and therefore, had the right
under the law to be tried at Rome before Caesar, the emperor.
Festus, after conferring with his council, said to Paul.
"Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? Then unto Caesar shalt thou go."
So Paul was taken to prison to await a favorable opportunity to be sent
to Rome.
BEFORE KING AGRIPPA
When Paul was blind just after his vision, the Lord said, "He is a
chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings,
and the children of Israel." Among the rulers to whom Paul preached
the Gospel were King Agrippa and his sister Bernice. Agrippa, who
ruled over part of the land on the east side of the river Jordan, paid
Festus a visit; and the Governor took occasion to tell the King all
about Paul, how he had been left a prisoner by Felix; how the Jews had
accused him, but failed to prove their charges; how he refused to go to
Jerusalem; and how finally he had appealed to Caesar. [1]
Said Agrippa, "Festus, I should like to hear this man myself."
"All right," said Festus, "tomorrow thou shalt hear him."
[Sidenote: A Royal Assembly.]
On the morrow, Agrippa and Bernice came with "great pomp;" which means,
no doubt, that he dressed in his purple robes and she in her bright
jewels, and attended with servants all dressed in gorgeous colors.
It was a royal assemblage, and a royal occasion, but the most royal
personage among them was the humble prisoner who appeared in chains to
plead his innocence and the justice of his cause.
The King, looking at Paul, with more curiosity than contempt, said,
"Thou art permitted to speak for thyself."
Then Paul, addressing himself principally to Agrippa, delivered a most
impressive address as follows:
[Sidenote: An Impressive Address.]
"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I shall answer for myself,
before thee, of all the things charged against me by the Jews; because
I know that thou dost know all about the customs and the questions
which are among the Jews. I ask thee then, to hear me patiently.
"My manner of life from my youth, all the Jews know, for I lived among
them; and if they would tell the truth, they would testify that after
the most strict sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. And now I
stand and am to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto
our fathers; that promise unto which our twelve tribes, constantly
serving God day and night, hope to come. For this hope, King Agrippa,
I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing which thou
couldst not believe, that God should raise the dead?
"At one time, I verily thought myself, that I ought to do many things
contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth; and this I did in Jerusalem:
and many of the Saints I shut up in prison, having received authority
from the chief priests; and even when they were put to death, I gave my
voice against them.
"And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to
blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted
them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with
authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O King, I
saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun,
shining round about me and them who journeyed with me. And when we were
all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, saying, in
the Hebrew tongue:
"'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?'
"And I said, 'Who art thou. Lord?'
"And he answered, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest, But rise, and
stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to
make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast
seen, and of those things in which I will appear unto thee; delivering
thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from
the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins,
and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in me.'
"Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly
vision: but explained first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem,
and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that
they should repent and turn to God, and to works meet for repentance.
"For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to
kill me.
"Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day,
witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those
which the prophets and Moses did say should come, that Christ should
suffer, and that he should be the first to rise from the dead, and
should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."
[Sidenote: An Interruption.]
Just at this point in his address, Paul was interrupted by Festus, who
cried,
"Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad!"
But Paul said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the
words of truth and soberness.
"The king knoweth of these things, before whom I speak freely; for I am
persauded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing
was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I
know thou believest."
[Sidenote: Almost Persuaded.]
Then said Agrippa, "Almost thou persaudest me to be a Christian."
"I would to God," answered Paul, "That not only thou, but also all that
hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except
these bonds."
[Sidenote: Should Be Free.]
After listening to Paul's great address, the king and his sister, and
the governor withdrew to one side, and said that there was no cause to
keep Paul a prisoner, for he had done nothing worthy of death or of
bonds.
"This man," said Agrippa to Festus, "might have been set at liberty, if
he had not appealed unto Caesar."
Footnotes:
1. Acts 25:13-22.
LESSON 37
THE VOYAGE TO ROME