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THE KING ’S BUSINESS
equal plainness o f speech to those who dis regard the Gospel today. Paul told them that what lay at the root o f their unbelief was: gross hearts, dull ears, closed eyes. Their eyes were closed because they them selves had closed them (cf. 2 Thess. 1 :7, 9 ). Though they refused the salvation it was none the less “o f God.” I f they would not have it others would (v. 28). The rejection o f the Gospel by the Jew meant salvation for us (Rom. 11:11). v.s. 30-31. "And Paul dwelt- (and he abode) two whole years in his own hired house (dwelling) and received all that came (went) in unto him, preaching the king dom o f . God and teaching those things which concern (the things concerning) the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence LESSON (1 ) Pleading His Insufficiency, vs. 11-22. Paul had longed to go to Rome, Rom. 1:14-16. Was Paul shown special favors at other times ? 24:23. Had Paul before publicly announced his freedom from guilt? 23:1. How had he sought to live? 24:16. What had Agrippa and Felix agreed upon concerning Paul’s guilt? 26:31, 32. What was Paul’s attitude towards his enemies? Rom. 12:19-21. What was the attitude o f our Lord? 1 Pet. 2:22, 23. . For whom did Paul become a prisoner? "Eph. 3:1. What request did he make concerning his bonds? Col. 4:18. What was the hope o f Israel? John 1 :45. How can we compel our enemies to speak well o f our Lord? 1 Pet. 2:12. How has Paul taught us to bear reproach? 1 Pet. 4:13, 14. (2 ) Persuading the Jews, vs. 23, 24. What was Paul’s line o f reasoning about Jesus? Acts 17:3. What was the prophecy o f Jacob con cerning the Messiah? Gen. 49:10.
(boldness) no man (none) forbidding him.’’ Paul had two years o f uninterrupted serv ice in Rome. The epistles written from Rome, especially the Epistle to Phillip- pians, show that they were years o f great fruitfulness in service. During those two years the great subject o f his 'preaching was “the kingdom o f God” and the one central subject o f his teaching was the Lord Jesus Christ. His teaching and preaching were with “boldness,” that is frank out spokenness. Though he was a prisoner, no man attempted to hinder his testimony. These two years were among the most fruitful o f his life. The Acts o f the Apos tles closes with Paul in prison, clearly indi cating that the book was written by'Luke and certainly some time before Paul’s death. ' OUTLINE What was the prophecy o f Baalam? Num. 24:17. What was the testimony o f Philip? John 1:45. What was the manner o f Christ’s preach ing ? Luke 24:27-44. What is the spirit o f prophecy? Rev 19:10. Who are those who believe Paul’s mes sage? Acts 13:48. What heart process determines those who believe not? Acts 19:8, 9 . Did the unbelief o f some invalidate the faith o f God? Rom. 3:3. (3 ) Preaching the Kingdom, vs. 25-31. What prophecy did Paul quote? Isa. 6:9, 10. Why could not these Jews see the truth? 2 Cor. 4:4, Who is the god o f this world? John 12:32. What is the effect o f the Gospel upon believers? 2 Cor. 4:6. What punishment awaits the rejection of the Gospel ? 2 Thess. 1 : 8 . What was the Lord’s order for the giv ing o f the ¡Gospel? Acts 1:8.
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