the acts of the apostles-第85章
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their way through the crowds that throng the great thoroughfare； the
gray…haired old man； chained with a group of hardened…looking criminals；
receives many a glance of scorn and is made the subject of many a rude；
mocking jest。
Suddenly a cry of joy is heard； and a man springs from the passing throng
and falls upon the prisoner's neck； embracing him with tears and rejoicing；
as a son would welcome a long…absent father。 Again and again is the scene
repeated as； with eyes made keen by loving expectation； many discern in the
chained captive the one who at Corinth； at Philippi； at Ephesus； had spoken
to them the words of life。
As the warmhearted disciples eagerly flock around their father in the
gospel； the whole company is brought to a
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standstill。 The soldiers are impatient of delay； yet they have not the heart
to interrupt this happy meeting； for they； too； have learned to respect and
esteem their prisoner。 In that worn； pain…stricken face； the disciples see
reflected the image of Christ。 They assure Paul that they have not forgotten
him nor ceased to love him； that they are indebted to him for the joyful
hope which animates their lives and gives them peace toward God。 In the
ardor of their love they would bear him upon their shoulders the whole way
to the city； could they but have the privilege。
Few realize the significance of those words of Luke； that when Paul saw his
brethren； 〃he thanked God； and took courage。〃 In the midst of the weeping；
sympathizing company of believers； who were not ashamed of his bonds； the
apostle praised God aloud。 The cloud of sadness that had rested upon his
spirit was swept away。 His Christian life had been a succession of trials；
sufferings； and disappointments； but in that hour he felt abundantly repaid。
With firmer step and joyful heart he continued on his way。 He would not
complain of the past； nor fear for the future。 Bonds and afflictions awaited
him； he knew； but he knew also that it had been his to deliver souls from a
bondage infinitely more terrible； and he rejoiced in his sufferings for
Christ's sake。
At Rome the centurion Julius delivered up his prisoners to the captain of
the emperor's guard。 The good account which he gave of Paul； together with
the letter from Festus； caused the apostle to be favorably regarded by the
chief
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captain； and； instead of being thrown into prison； he was permitted to live
in his own hired house。 Although still constantly chained to a soldier； he
was at liberty to receive his friends and to labor for the advancement of
the cause of Christ。
Many of the Jews who had been banished from Rome some years previously； had
been allowed to return； so that large numbers were now to be found there。 To
these； first of all； Paul determined to present the facts concerning himself
and his work； before his enemies should have opportunity to embitter them
against him。 Three days after his arrival in Rome； therefore； he called
together their leading men and in a simple； direct manner stated why he had
come to Rome as a prisoner。
〃Men and brethren；〃 he said； 〃though I have committed nothing against the
people； or customs of our fathers； yet was I delivered prisoner from
Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans。 Who； when they had examined me；
would have let me go； because there was no cause of death in me。 But when
the Jews spake against it； I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar； not that
I had aught to accuse my nation of。 For this cause therefore have I called
for you； to see you； and to speak with you： because that for the hope of
Israel I am bound with this chain。〃
He said nothing of the abuse which he had suffered at the hands of the Jews；
or of their repeated plots to assassinate him。 His words were marked with
caution and kindness。 He was not seeking to win personal attention or
sympathy； but to defend the truth and to maintain the honor of the gospel。
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In reply； his hearers stated that they had received no charges against him
by letters public or private； and that none of the Jews who had come to Rome
had accused him of any crime。 They also expressed a strong desire to hear
for themselves the reasons of his faith in Christ。 〃As concerning this
sect；〃 they said； 〃we know that everywhere it is spoken against。〃
Since they themselves desired it； Paul bade them set a day when he could
present to them the truths of the gospel。 At the time appointed； many came
together； 〃to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God； persuading
them concerning Jesus； both out of the law of Moses； and out of the
prophets； from morning till evening。〃 He related his own experience； and
presented arguments from the Old Testament Scriptures with simplicity；
sincerity； and power。
The apostle showed that religion does not consist in rites and ceremonies；
creeds and theories。 If it did； the natural man could understand it by
investigation； as he understands worldly things。 Paul taught that religion
is a practical； saving energy； a principle wholly from God； a personal
experience of God's renewing power upon the soul。
He showed how Moses had pointed Israel forward to Christ as that Prophet
whom they were to hear； how all the prophets had testified of Him as God's
great remedy for sin； the guiltless One who was to bear the sins of the
guilty。 He did not find fault with their observance of forms and ceremonies；
but showed that while they
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maintained the ritual service with great exactness； they were rejecting Him
who was the antitype of all that system。
Paul declared that in his unconverted state he had known Christ； not by
personal acquaintance； but merely by the conception which he； in common with
others； cherished concerning the character and work of the Messiah to come。
He had rejected Jesus of Nazareth as an impostor because He did not fulfill
this conception。 But now Paul's views of Christ and His mission were far
more spiritual and exalted； for he had been converted。 The apostle asserted
that he did not present to them Christ after the flesh。 Herod had seen
Christ in the days of His humanity； Annas had seen Him； Pilate and the
priests and rulers had seen Him； the Roman soldiers had seen Him。 But they
had not seen Him with the eye of faith； they had not seen Him as the
glorified Redeemer。 To apprehend Christ by faith； to have a spiritual
knowledge of Him； was more to be desired than a personal acquaintance with
Him as He appeared on the earth。 The communion with Christ which Paul now
enjoyed was more intimate； more enduring； than a mere earthly and human
companionship。
As Paul spoke of what he knew； and testified of what he had seen； concerning
Jesus of Nazareth as the hope of Israel； those who were honestly seeking for
truth were convinced。 Upon some minds； at least； his words made an
impression that was never effaced。 But others stubbornly refused to accept
the plain testimony of the Scriptures； even when presented to them by one
who had the special illumination of the Holy Spirit。 They could not refute
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his arguments； but they refused to accept his conclusions。
Many months passed by after Paul's arrival in Rome； before the Jews of
Jerusalem appeared in person to present their accusations against the
prisoner。 They had been repeatedly thwarted in their designs； and now that
Paul was to be tried before the highest tribunal of the Roman Empire； they
had no desire to risk another defeat。 Lysias； Felix； Festus； and Agrippa had
all declared their belief in his innocence。 His enemies could hope for
success only in seeking by intrigue to influence the emperor in their favor。
Delay would further their object； as it would afford them time to perfect
and execute their plans； and so they waited for a while before preferring
their charges in person against the apostle。
In the providence of God this delay resulted in the furtherance of the
gospel。 Through the favor of those who had Paul in charge； he was permitted
to d
