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THE KING’S BUSINESS
needed today. Terrifying preaching is sorely needed just as much in our fashion able churches, where there is many a mod ern Felix and many a modern Drusilla, as in mission halls. But now Paul is to speak to another type o f man and will use another method o f presenting Christ. Felix on giving up his office to his successor Festus had left Paul bound (ch. 24:27), though he knew he ought to be released: but by this iniquitous act he gave Paul another much desired opportunity to witness for Christ in high places. The Jews hated Paul not only with a bitter hatred but with an undy ing hatred. Though Paul had lain in prison for two years the Jews had not for gotten him, but were still watching for an opportunity to kill him. They left no stone unturned to compass his death. When the new Roman governor reached Jerusa lem they thought o f but one thing that they desired o f him, viz., his cooperation, designed or undesigned, in killing Paul. vs. 4, 5. '. “ But (Howbeit) Festus answered, that Paul should be (was) kept ('add, in charge) at Caesarea, and that he himself would (was about to) depart shortly thither (thither shortly). ~Let them therefore, said (saith) he, which among you are able, ( that are o f power among you ) go dbwn with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him (and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him)” . Festus was not only an upright judge, he was shrewd as well as upright, and escaped the snare which the Jews had set for him. But it was not merely the shrewdness o f Festus that led him to this action. God was guarding Paul and to that end was guiding Festus. lb is evident that Festus was not very sure that Paul was guilty even though his predecessor had kept Paul in prison two years and left him bound. vs. 6, 7. "And when he had tarried among them ('add, not) more than ('add, eight or) ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting (on the morrow he sat) on the judgment seat ('add, and) com manded Paul to be brought. And when he
was come, the Jews which came (that had come) down from Jerusalem stood round about (add, him), and laid many and griev ous complaints against Paul, (bringing against him many and grievous charges) which they could not prove.” Festus was prompt as well as fair. Paul’s enemies stopped at nothing in order to gain their end. They were ready to bring any charge against him, utterly regardless whether it was true or not. -Many o f Paul’s twentieth century enemies are equally unscrupulous, they also bring against him “many and grievous charges” which they “cannot prove.” Most o f the enemies o f the Bible are equally unscrupulous, they also bring “many and grievous charges” against the Bible “ which they cannot prove.” In all ages the enemies o f God and o f his ser vants and o f His W ord mistake strong and confident villification for proof. v. 8. "While he answered fo r himself (Paul made his defense), Neither against the law o f the Jews, neither (nor) against the temple, nor yet ("omit, yet) against Caesar have I offended anything (sinned) at all.” Paul’s skirts were absolutely clean, he could say “have not sinned at all,” i. e., in any o f the directions charged. It is a wonderful thing when a man can say that in regard to all charges brought against him. v. 9. "But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure ( desiring to gain favor with the Jews), answered Paul, and said, "W ilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there . be -judged o f these things before me?” Festus desired to be just but at the same time he desired “to gain favor with the Jews,” provided he could gain favor with them without too great a sacrifice o f principle. He followed a dangerous course and got himself into trouble. The one who tem porizes instead o f following the straight, plain path of duty at any cost, always gets into trouble. The absolutely right course is the only safe course., vs. 10-12. “ Then said Paul, I stand at (But Paul said, I am standing before) Caesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to
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