the acts of the apostles-第81章
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Philippi！ The servants of the Lord were brought in bonds to the jailer； as
was Paul to Felix。 The evidence they gave of being sustained by a divine
power； their rejoicing under suffering and disgrace； their fearlessness when
the earth was reeling with the earthquake shock； and their spirit of
Christlike forgiveness； sent conviction to the jailer's heart； and with
trembling he confessed his sins and found pardon。 Felix trembled； but he did
not repent。 The jailer joyfully welcomed the Spirit of God to his heart and
to his home； Felix bade the divine Messenger depart。 The one chose to become
a child of God and an heir of heaven； the other cast his lot with the
workers of iniquity。
For two years no further action was taken against Paul； yet he remained a
prisoner。 Felix visited him several times and listened attentively to his
words。 But the real motive for this apparent friendliness was a desire for
gain； and he intimated that by the payment of a large sum of money
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Paul might secure his release。 The apostle； however； was of too noble a
nature to free himself by a bribe。 He was not guilty of any crime； and he
would not stoop to commit a wrong in order to gain freedom。 Furthermore； he
was himself too poor to pay such a ransom； had he been disposed to do so；
and he would not； in his own behalf； appeal to the sympathy and generosity
of his converts。 He also felt that he was in the hands of God； and he would
not interfere with the divine purposes respecting himself。
Felix was finally summoned to Rome because of gross wrongs committed against
the Jews。 Before leaving Caesarea in answer to this summons； he thought to
〃show the Jews a pleasure〃 by allowing Paul to remain in prison。 But Felix
was not successful in his attempt to regain the confidence of the Jews。 He
was removed from office in disgrace； and Porcius Festus was appointed to
succeed him； with headquarters at Caesarea。
A ray of light from heaven had been permitted to shine upon Felix； when Paul
reasoned with him concerning righteousness； temperance； and a judgment to
come。 That was his heaven…sent opportunity to see and to forsake his sins。
But he said to the messenger of God； 〃Go thy way for this time； when I have
a convenient season； I will call for thee。〃 He had slighted his last offer
of mercy。 Never was he to receive another call from God。
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Chapter 40
Paul Appeals to Caesar
〃When Festus was come into the province； after three days he ascended from
Caesarea to Jerusalem。 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews
informed him against Paul； and besought him； and desired favor against him；
that he would send for him to Jerusalem。〃 In making this request they
purposed to waylay Paul along the road to Jerusalem and murder him。 But
Festus had a high sense of the responsibility of his position； and
courteously declined to send for Paul。 〃It is not the manner of the Romans；〃
he declared； 〃to deliver any man to die； before that he which is accused
have the accusers face to face； and have license to answer for himself
concerning the crime laid against him。〃 He stated that 〃he himself would
depart shortly〃 for Caesarea。 〃Let them there 。 。 。 which among you are
able； go down with me； and accuse this man； if there be any wickedness in
him。〃
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This was not what the Jews wanted。 They had not forgotten their former
defeat at Caesarea。 In contrast with the calm bearing and forcible arguments
of the apostle； their own malignant spirit and baseless accusations would
appear in the worst possible light。 Again they urged that Paul be brought to
Jerusalem for trial； but Festus held firmly to his purpose of giving Paul a
fair trial at Caesarea。 God in His providence controlled the decision of
Festus； that the life of the apostle might be lengthened。
Their purposes defeated； the Jewish leaders at once prepared to witness
against Paul at the court of the procurator。 Upon returning to Caesarea；
after a few days' sojourn at Jerusalem； Festus 〃the next day sitting on the
judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought。〃 〃The Jews which came down from
Jerusalem stood round about； and laid many and grievous complaints against
Paul； which they could not prove。〃 Being on this occasion without a lawyer；
the Jews preferred their charges themselves。 As the trial proceeded； the
accused with calmness and candor clearly showed the falsity of their
statements。
Festus discerned that the question in dispute related wholly to Jewish
doctrines； and that； rightly understood； there was nothing in the charges
against Paul； could they be proved； that would render him subject to
sentence of death； or even to imprisonment。 Yet he saw clearly the storm of
rage that would be created if Paul were not condemned or delivered into
their hands。 And so； 〃willing to do the Jews a pleasure；〃 Festus turned to
Paul； and asked if he
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was willing to go to Jerusalem under his protection； to be tried by the
Sanhedrin。
The apostle knew that he could not look for justice from the people who by
their crimes were bringing down upon themselves the wrath of God。 He knew
that； like the prophet Elijah； he would be safer among the heathen than with
those who had rejected light from heaven and hardened their hearts against
the gospel。 Weary of strife； his active spirit could ill endure the repeated
delays and wearing suspense of his trial and imprisonment。 He therefore
decided to exercise his privilege； as a Roman citizen； of appealing to
Caesar。
In answer to the governor's question； Paul said： 〃I stand at Caesar's
judgment seat； where I ought to be judged： to the Jews have I done no wrong；
as thou very well knowest。 For if I be an offender； or have committed
anything worthy of death； I refuse not to die： but if there be none of these
things whereof these accuse me； no man may deliver me unto them。 I appeal
unto Caesar。〃
Festus knew nothing of the conspiracies of the Jews to murder Paul； and he
was surprised at this appeal to Caesar。 However； the words of the apostle
put a stop to the proceedings of the court。 〃Festus； when he had conferred
with the council； answered； Hast thou appealed unto Caesar？ unto Caesar
shalt thou go。〃
Thus it was that once more； because of hatred born of bigotry and
self…righteousness； a servant of God was driven to turn for protection to
the heathen。 It was this same hatred that forced the prophet Elijah to flee
for succor to the widow
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of Sarepta； and that forced the heralds of the gospel to turn from the Jews
to proclaim their message to the Gentiles。 And this hatred the people of God
living in this age have yet to meet。 Among many of the professing followers
of Christ there is the same pride； formalism； and selfishness； the same
spirit of oppression； that held so large a place in the Jewish heart。 In the
future； men claiming to be Christ's representatives will take a course
similar to that followed by the priests and rulers in their treatment of
Christ and the apostles。 In the great crisis through which they are soon to
pass； the faithful servants of God will encounter the same hardness of
heart； the same cruel determination； the same unyielding hatred。
All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the
dictates of conscience； will need courage； firmness； and a knowledge of God
and His word； for those who are true to God will be persecuted； their
motives will be impugned； their best efforts misinterpreted； and their names
cast out as evil。 Satan will work with all his deceptive power to influence
the heart and becloud the understanding； to make evil appear good； and good
evil。 The stronger and purer the faith of God's people； and the firmer their
determination to obey Him； the more fiercely will Satan strive to stir up
against them the rage of those who； while claiming to be righteous； trample
upon the law of God。 It will require the firmest trust； the mo
