the acts of the apostles-第93章
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him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day。〃 2 Timothy I：16…18。
The desire for love and sympathy is implanted in the heart by God Himself。
Christ； in His hour of agony in Gethsemane； longed for the sympathy of His
disciples。 And Paul； though apparently indifferent to hardship and
suffering； yearned for sympathy and companionship。 The visit of Onesiphorus；
testifying to his fidelity at a time of loneliness and desertion； brought
gladness and cheer to one who had spent his life in service for others。
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Chapter 48
Paul Before Nero
When Paul was summoned to appear before the emperor Nero for trial； it was
with the near prospect of certain death。 The serious nature of the crime
charged against him； and the prevailing animosity toward Christians； left
little ground for hope of a favorable issue。
Among the Greeks and Romans it was customary to allow an accused person the
privilege of employing an advocate to plead in his behalf before courts of
justice。 By force of argument； by impassioned eloquence； or by entreaties；
prayers； and tears； such an advocate often secured a decision in favor of
the prisoner or； failing in this； succeeded in mitigating the severity of
the sentence。 But when Paul was summoned before Nero； no man ventured to act
as his counsel or advocate； no friend was at hand even to preserve a record
of the charges brought against him； or of the arguments that he urged in his
own defense。 Among the
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Christians at Rome there was not one who came forward to stand by him in
that trying hour。
The only reliable record of the occasion is given by Paul himself； in his
second letter to Timothy。 〃At my first answer；〃 the apostle wrote； 〃no man
stood with me； but all men forsook me： I pray God that it may not be laid to
their charge。 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me； and strengthened me；
that by me the preaching might be fully known； and that all the Gentiles
might hear： and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion。〃 2 Timothy
4：16； 17。
Paul before Nerohow striking the contrast！ The haughty monarch before whom
the man of God was to answer for his faith； had reached the height of
earthly power； authority； and wealth； as well as the lowest depths of crime
and iniquity。 In power and greatness he stood unrivaled。 There were none to
question his authority； none to resist his will。 Kings laid their crowns at
his feet。 Powerful armies marched at his command； and the ensigns of his
navies betokened victory。 His statue was set up in the halls of justice； and
the decrees of senators and the decisions of judges were but the echo of his
will。 Millions bowed in obedience to his mandates。 The name of Nero made the
world tremble。 To incur his displeasure was to lose property； liberty； life；
and his frown was more to be dreaded than a pestilence。
Without money； without friends； without counsel； the aged prisoner stood
before Nerothe countenance of the emperor bearing the shameful record of
the passions that raged within； the face of the accused telling of a heart
at peace
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with God。 Paul's experience had been one of poverty； self…denial； and
suffering。 Notwithstanding constant misrepresentation； reproach； and abuse；
by which his enemies had endeavored to intimidate him； he had fearlessly
held aloft the standard of the cross。 Like his Master； he had been a
homeless wanderer； and like Him； he had lived to bless humanity。 How could
Nero； a capricious； passionate； licentious tyrant； understand or appreciate
the character and motives of this son of God？
The vast hall was thronged by an eager； restless crowd that surged and
pressed to the front to see and hear all that should take place。 The high
and the low were there； the rich and the poor； the learned and the ignorant；
the proud and the humble； all alike destitute of a true knowledge of the way
of life and salvation。
The Jews brought against Paul the old charges of sedition and heresy； and
both Jews and Romans accused him of instigating the burning of the city。
While these accusations were urged against him； Paul preserved an unbroken
serenity。 The people and the judges looked at him in surprise。 They had been
present at many trials and had looked upon many a criminal； but never had
they seen a man wear a look of such holy calmness as did the prisoner before
them。 The keen eyes of the judges； accustomed to read the countenances of
prisoners； searched Paul's face in vain for some evidence of guilt。 When he
was permitted to speak in his own behalf； all listened with eager interest。
Once more Paul has an opportunity to uplift before a
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wondering multitude the banner of the cross。 As he gazes upon the throng
before him；Jews； Greeks； Romans； with strangers from many lands；his soul
is stirred with an intense desire for their salvation。 He loses sight of the
occasion； of the perils surrounding him； of the terrible fate that seems so
near。 He sees only Jesus； the Intercessor； pleading before God in behalf of
sinful men。 With more than human eloquence and power； Paul presents the
truths of the gospel。 He points his hearers to the sacrifice made for the
fallen race。 He declares that an infinite price has been paid for man's
redemption。 Provision has been made for him to share the throne of God。 By
angel messengers； earth is connected with heaven； and all the deeds of men；
whether good or evil； are open to the eye of Infinite Justice。
Thus pleads the advocate of truth。 Faithful among the faithless； loyal among
the disloyal； he stands as God's representative； and his voice is as a voice
from heaven。 There is no fear； no sadness； no discouragement in word or
look。 Strong in a consciousness of innocence； clothed in the panoply of
truth； he rejoices that he is a son of God。 His words are as a shout of
victory above the roar of battle。 He declares the cause to which he has
devoted his life； to be the only cause that can never fail。 Though he may
perish； the gospel will not perish。 God lives； and His truth will triumph。
Many who that day looked upon him 〃saw his face as it had been the face of
an angel。〃 Acts 6：15。
Never before had that company listened to words like these。 They struck a
cord that vibrated in the hearts of even
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the most hardened。 Truth； clear and convincing； overthrew error。 Light shone
into the minds of many who afterward gladly followed its rays。 The truths
spoken on that day were destined to shake nations and to live through all
time； influencing the hearts of men when the lips that had uttered them
should be silent in a martyr's grave。
Never before had Nero heard the truth as he heard it on this occasion。 Never
before had the enormous guilt of his own life been so revealed to him。 The
light of heaven pierced the sin…polluted chambers of his soul； and he
trembled with terror at the thought of a tribunal before which he； the ruler
of the world； would finally be arraigned； and his deeds receive their just
award。 He feared the apostle's God； and he dared not pass sentence upon
Paul； against whom no accusation had been sustained。 A sense of awe
restrained for a time his bloodthirsty spirit。
For a moment； heaven was opened to the guilty and hardened Nero； and its
peace and purity seemed desirable。 That moment the invitation of mercy was
extended even to him。 But only for a moment was the thought of pardon
welcomed。 Then the command was issued that Paul be taken back to his
dungeon； and as the door closed upon the messenger of God； the door of
repentance closed forever against the emperor of Rome。 No ray of light from
heaven was ever again to penetrate the darkness that enveloped him。 Soon he
was to suffer the retributive judgments of God。
Not long after this； Nero sailed on his infamous expedition to Greece； where
he disgraced himself and his kingdom
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by contemptible and debasing frivolity。 Returning to Rome with great pomp；
