International S. S. Lessons Exposition and Practical Application By R. A. Torrey Outlines and Suggestive Points' By T. C. Horton
A Plot That Failed OCTOBER 1, 1916. LESSON 1. Acts 23:14-24. (Commit vs. 20, 21). G olden T ext : “And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.”—Jer. 1 :19.
DA ILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon., Sept. 25—Acts 23:1-13. Tues., Sept. 26—Acts 23:14-24. (The Lesson).
Wed., Sept. 27—Acts 23:25-35. Thurs., Sept. 28—Psalm 37:30-40. Fri., Sept. 29;—Isaiah 8:9-18. Sat., Sept. 30—Esther 8:7-17. Sun., Oct. 1—Psalm 56.
EXPOSIT ION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
at Rome. It is clear that the Lord approved heartily o f Paul’s testimony at Jerusalem. It is also clear that those who endeavor to make out that Paul was headstrong g in going to Jerusalem and was following his own wishes and not the leading o f God in doing so, are altogether misjudging him. Quite likely the appeal that Paul made to Caesar, at a later date (Ch. 25:11) was sug gested by the words that the Lord spoke to him at this time. A dangerous conspiracy and plot was forming against him but God was, as He always is, beforehand with His comfort and preparation for the crisis. Human friends sometimes comfort us after the trial has arisen, but it is God alone who comforts us before the need appears. The conspiracy was strong and apparently dan gerous. No less than forty men were in it and they were determined men, too, will ing to go any length to compass their pur pose. They would not even stop at mur der, and would put aside everything—even eating and drinking—until this one thing was done. They fancied they were the
vs. 14, 15. "And they came to the chief priests and (add, the) elders, and said, W e have bound ourselves under a great curie, to tasfe nothing until we have slain (killed) Paul. Now therefore (do) ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you tomorrow (omit, tomorrow), as though ye would enquire 1 something more perfectly ioncerning him (judge o f his case more exactly): and we, or ever (before) he come (comes) near, are ready to kill (slay) him.” It looked very dark for Paul, and if Paul had been like most men he would have had a heavy heart, but during the night before the Lord had appeared to his faithful ser vant to cheer him (v. 11). Possibly Paul had been tempted to think that he had made a mistake in coming to Jerusalem against the protests o f his friends. But what Jesus had said to him was sufficient to banish all such thoughts as that. He told Paul to “ be of, good cheer” and that as he had borne testimony concerning Him at Jerusalem, so must he also bear witness
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