the acts of the apostles-第94章
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by contemptible and debasing frivolity。 Returning to Rome with great pomp；
he surrounded himself with his courtiers and engaged in scenes of revolting
debauchery。 In the midst of this revelry a voice of tumult in the streets
was heard。 A messenger dispatched to learn the cause； returned with the
appalling news that Galba； at the head of an army； was marching rapidly upon
Rome； that insurrection had already broken out in the city； and that the
streets were filled with an enraged mob； which； threatening death to the
emperor and all his supporters； was rapidly approaching the palace。
In this time of peril； Nero had not； like the faithful Paul； a powerful and
compassionate God on whom to rely。 Fearful of the suffering and possible
torture he might be compelled to endure at the hands of the mob； the
wretched tyrant thought to end his life by his own hand； but at the critical
moment his courage failed。 Completely unmanned； he fled ignominiously from
the city and sought shelter at a countryseat a few miles distant； but to no
avail。 His hiding place was soon discovered； and as the pursuing horsemen
drew near； he summoned a slave to his aid and inflicted on himself a mortal
wound。 Thus perished the tyrant Nero； at the early age of thirty…two。
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Chapter 49
Paul's Last Letter
From the judgment hall of Caesar； Paul returned to his cell； realizing that
he had gained for himself only a brief respite。 He knew that his enemies
would not rest until they had compassed his death。 But he knew also that for
a time truth had triumphed。 To have proclaimed a crucified and risen Saviour
before the vast crowd who had listened to him； was in itself a victory。 That
day a work had begun which would grow and strengthen； and which Nero and all
other enemies of Christ would seek in vain to hinder or destroy。
Sitting day after day in his gloomy cell； knowing that at a word or a nod
from Nero his life might be sacrificed； Paul thought of Timothy and
determined to send for him。 To Timothy had been committed the care of the
church at Ephesus； and he had therefore been left behind when Paul made his
last journey to Rome。 Paul and Timothy were bound together by an affection
unusually deep and strong。
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Since his conversion； Timothy had shared Paul's labors and sufferings； and
the friendship between the two had grown stronger； deeper； and more sacred；
until all that a son could be to a loved and honored father； Timothy was to
the aged； toilworn apostle。 It is little wonder that in his loneliness and
solitude； Paul longed to see him。
Under the most favorable circumstances several months must pass before
Timothy could reach Rome from Asia Minor。 Paul knew that his life was
uncertain； and he feared that Timothy might arrive too late to see him。 He
had important counsel and instruction for the young man； to whom so great
responsibility had been entrusted； and while urging him to come without
delay； he dictated the dying testimony that he might not be spared to utter。
His soul filled with loving solicitude for his son in the gospel and for the
church under his care； Paul sought to impress Timothy with the importance of
fidelity to his sacred trust。
Paul began his letter with the salutation： 〃To Timothy； my dearly beloved
son： Grace； mercy； and peace； from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord。
I thank God； whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience； that
without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day。〃
The apostle then urged upon Timothy the necessity of steadfastness in the
faith。 〃I put thee in remembrance；〃 he wrote； 〃that thou stir up the gift of
God； which is in thee by the putting on of my hands。 For God hath not given
us the spirit of fear； but of power； and of love； and
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of a sound mind。 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord；
nor of me His prisoner： but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the
gospel according to the power of God。〃 Paul entreated Timothy to remember
that he had been called 〃with a holy calling〃 to proclaim the power of Him
who had 〃brought life and immortality to light through the gospel：
whereunto；〃 he declared； 〃I am appointed a preacher； and an apostle； and a
teacher of the Gentiles。 For the which cause I also suffer these things：
nevertheless I am not ashamed： for I know whom I have believed； and am
persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him
against that day。〃
Through his long term of service； Paul had never faltered in his allegiance
to his Saviour。 Wherever he waswhether before scowling Pharisees； or Roman
authorities； before the furious mob at Lystra； or the convicted sinners in
the Macedonian dungeon； whether reasoning with the panic…stricken sailors on
the shipwrecked vessel； or standing alone before Nero to plead for his
lifehe had never been ashamed of the cause he was advocating。 The one
great purpose of his Christian life had been to serve Him whose name had
once filled him with contempt； and from this purpose no opposition or
persecution had been able to turn him aside。 His faith； made strong by
effort and pure by sacrifice； upheld and strengthened him。
〃Thou therefore； my son；〃 Paul continued； 〃be strong in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus。 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses； the same commit
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thou to faithful men； who shall be able to teach others also。 Thou therefore
endure hardness； as a good soldier of Jesus Christ。〃
The true minister of God will not shun hardship or responsibility。 From the
Source that never fails those who sincerely seek for divine power； he draws
strength that enables him to meet and overcome temptation； and to perform
the duties that God places upon him。 The nature of the grace that he
receives； enlarges his capacity to know God and His Son。 His soul goes out
in longing desire to do acceptable service for the Master。 And as he
advances in the Christian pathway he becomes 〃strong in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus。〃 This grace enables him to be a faithful witness of the things
that he has heard。 He does not despise or neglect the knowledge that he has
received from God； but commits this knowledge to faithful men； who in their
turn teach others。
In this his last letter to Timothy； Paul held up before the younger worker a
high ideal； pointing out the duties devolving on him as a minister of
Christ。 〃Study to show thyself approved unto God；〃 the apostle wrote； 〃a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed； rightly dividing the word of truth。〃
〃Flee also youthful lusts： but follow righteousness； faith； charity； peace；
with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart。 But foolish and
unlearned questions avoid； knowing that they do gender strifes。 And the
servant of the Lord must not strive； but be gentle unto all men； apt to
teach； patient； in meekness instructing those that oppose
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themselves； if God peradventure will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth。〃
The apostle warned Timothy against the false teachers who would seek to gain
entrance into the church。 〃This know also；〃 he declared； 〃that in the last
days perilous times shall come。 For men shall be lovers of their own selves；
covetous； boasters； proud； blasphemers； disobedient to parents； unthankful；
unholy； 。 。 。 having a form of godliness； but denying the power thereof：
from such turn away。〃
〃Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse；〃 he continued； 〃deceiving；
and being deceived。 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned
and hast been assured of； knowing of whom thou hast learned them； and that
from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures； which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation。 。 。 。 All Scripture is given by inspiration of
God； and is profitable for doctrine； for reproof； for correction； for
instruction in righteousness： that the man of God may be perfect； throughly
furnished unto all good works。〃 God has provi
