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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
October, 1936
ceived the reconciliation” (R. V .) or, the changed attitude of God toward us. We are recipients now of God’s, changed atti tude through our Lord Jesus Christ, and hence will continue to receive it as long as there is no change in Him, who is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” It was Paul’s realization of the security of his position in Christ that gave him joy and victory even during the years that he was “an ambassador in chains” at Rome, apparently subject to the whims of Caesar. Points and Problems 1. “ But Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him” (Acts 28:16). Often the better class of prisoners, especially those accused of po litical crimes, were permitted by Roman authorities to rent and live in their own private houses, but under guard. This privilege was evidently extended to Paul (cf. verse 30, “his own hired house” ). Such a favor shows the high regard in which ^Paul was held by the Roman authorities.
the long years of his missionary service, Paul had kept to his policy of the “Jew first.” Now having reached the center o f the Roman world, his first act was to call for “the chief” of his people. That they were interested is shown by the fact that they “appointed him a day” and “many” came to his house to hear what he had to say. From morning to evening he talked to them about the “ kingdom” and about “Jesus” as predicted in the law and the prophets. It was Paul’s last recorded at tempt to convince the leaders of his nation that Jesus is the promised Messianic King. Having failed to convince them, he quoted the Scripture concerning the terrible judg ment of God against them (Isa. 6:9, 10), and then he turned definitely to the Gentiles. Golden Text Illustration There was an old saint in far-away days . . . who lived a life o f such purity and serenity that his younger comrades mar veled. The wonder grew upon them so greatly that at length they resolved to approach the master, and ask to be told the secret of this purity, this peace. They came one day, and said: “Father, we are harassed with many temptations, which appeal to us so often and so strongly that they give us no rest. You seem to be un troubled by these things, and we would learn the secret. Dp not the temptations that harass our souls appeal to you? Do they never come knocking at the door of your heart?” The old man listened, and smiled, and said: “My children, I do know something of the things o f which you speak. The temptations that trouble you do come, making their appeal to me. But, when these temptations knock at the door of my heart, I answer, ‘The place is occu pied.’ ” — 1,000 Evangelistic Illustrations, by Aquilla Webb. In the World’s Greatest City A cts 28:16-31; P h ilippian s 1:12-14 Memory Verse: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28). Approach: At last Paul had reached Rome. The only way he had been able to get there was to go as a prisoner. Last week we left him on the steps o f the palace
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“ OBJECTALKS” Twenty bright talks to boys and girls illus trated by familiar objects. ^ “ TALKS ON TEXTS” Twenty children's Sermons. Illuminated by fascinating illustrations. “ PAPER TEARING TALK S” Fifteen Gospel talks. Paper is folded then torn and the object is unfolded. Interesting to old and young. Full directions. One Pastor writes: “ Your talks are the best I have ever used or have been able to find." All Three $2.00 55 talks—A whole year with the Children —Over 47,000 in use. HADDON SERVICE Box 164-B Fairfield, Conn. 2. “A soldier that kept him” (v. 16) . .. two whole years in his own hired house” (v. 30). According to Roman custom, this soldier guard was changed periodi cally, so that probably at least once a day a different soldier would come and attach to his own wrist the chain which bound him to the wrist o f the apostle. Thus each day of the two years, possibly, Paul had a new soul to whom he could preach the gospel. And the soldier could not choose but hear. That Paul seized the opportunity is evident from his Philippian epistle Where he writes, “ I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress o f the gospel; so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard” (Phil. 1:12, 13). 3.. "A fter three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together" (v. 17). Like our own New York City, ancient Rome was the center where the richest and most powerful members of .Paul’s race, had gathered themselves in spite of the perse cutions leveled against them. Throughout I--------------------------- Home Bible Study I S PROFITABLE | Each set $1.00 When Answering Advertisements, Kindly Mention The KING’S BUSINESS
talking to the Jews w h o w o u l d n o t listen. He was taken into the palace and could have been set free, for the Roman officials found that he had done nothing wrong. But he asked to have his case tried before Caesar, and that meant that he must travel to Rome.
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There is an interesting story about how he and some other prisoners reached there. They had to go by boat and they were shipwrecked, and all on board knew that it was only through God whom Paul wor shiped that they were saved and came at last to Rome. Paul was still God’s messenger. Lesson Story: But now that he had reached Rome, how could he preach when he was a prisoner? Would God have him set free? No, this, was not God’s plan. Paul was still to be a prisoner and would be until his death, but God allowed him to live in his own house with a soldier to [Continued on page 397]
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