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thought,” accept the ,mere assertion as proven fact, when in fact it is a bald and utter lie. Some one else asserts, with the air of unquestionable infallibility, that “the early chapters of Genesis cannot be reconciled with the established conclusions of natural science and research,” and that “either the inspiration of these chapters must.be given up, or they must be inter preted as allegory and not as history,” and lo’, another admiring and wondering crowd accept that wholly unwarranted and abso lutely baseless assertion as a proven fact. We sorely need today a few modern Pauls to call a halt upon the accusers, and to demand proof instead of mere baseless assertion. Let us say with Paul, “Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse” the Bible, The writer has had gréât satisfaction for many years in demanding proof of those who made wild assertions against Christ’s apostles and God’s prophets and law givers and in then watching the confusion of those who have made these stout assertions, but were utterly unable to bring forward facts to prove their assertion. They make no attempt to produce the proof, but content them selves with asserting “all scholars are agreed” and that any one who questions it is very dogmatic and narrow. In point of fact there is no proof, “neither can they prove the things” they say. Not only are not “all scholars agreed,” but the very best -Semitic scholars now repudiate the views which these pseudo-scholars say are set tled. Tuesday, April 24 . Acts 24 : 14 , 15 . The way which men call “heresy” is oftentimes the way which is really accord ing to “what is written” in the Word of God, and so it was in Paul’s case. Paul was certainly a model preacher, for he could say, “I believe all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” Paul ought to have taken a course in some of our modern theological seminaries to have found out which part of the Pentateuch and which part of the prophets to believe
(ch. 20:27), and in this instance he told Felix before he got through with him, the whole truth about himself with the most fearless and Unflinching plainness (v. 25), but he began by praising Something that was worthy of praise. One cap be frank and faithful without being brusque and boorish. But this combination- of utter fidelity and the most considerate courtesy which we find in Paul is exceedingly rare. We, shall see the same thing again in Paul’s address before Agrippa (ch. 26:2), and over and over again in his epistles. In his epistles we find him uniformly beginning his letters with considerate compliments, but there are very plain and unsparing words before he closes. This Spirit-given tact and winsomeness of address is as much needed by the one who would accept ably serve Christ as is Spirit-given bold ness of utterance. Paul says, -“answer for myself’ (or “make my defense”), but before he finishes it is really his Lord whom he is defending (or declaring) and we find him dwelling upon his favorite theme, the great truth of the resurrection. Monday, April 23 . Acts 24 : 12 , 13 - Paul takes up the terms of the indict ment brought against him (cf. v. 5), and meets them with a flat and unanswerable denial. He exposed the utter hollowness of the charges which had been made (against him, saying: “neither can they prove to be the things whereof they now accuse me.” It is one thing to make an accusation, it is quite another thing to prove the accusation made. Many men forget this, they fancy that assertion is proof, and there are not a few in this world who are willing to accept assertion for proof, provided the assertion is very positive. For example, many superficial, but loud mouthed “higher critics” are asserting that “no scholar now believes in the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch,” and immediately a gaping crowd of admir ing men and women who are too lazy to think for themselves, but who itch for a reputation for scholarship and ‘advanced
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