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THE KING’S BUSINESS
The Arrest of Paul SEPTEMBER 10, 1916. LESSON XI. Acts 21:27-40. (Read 17-40. Commit vs. 31, 32). G olden T ext : “ For thou shalt be His witness unto all men o f what thou hast seen and hea'rd.”—Acts 22:15.
DA ILY BIBLE READINGS .
Mon., Sept. 4—Acts 21 .T7-26. Tues., Sept. 5—Acts 21:27-40. (The Lesson).
Wed., Sept. 6—:Num. 6:13-31. Thurs., Sept. 7—John 1 :6-18. Fri., Sept. 8—Luke 23:13-26. Sat., Sept. 9—Gal. 2:1-9. Sun., Sept. 10—1 Peter 3:12-18.
EXPOSIT ION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
v. 27. “And when the seven days were almost ended (completed), the Jews which were ('omit, which were) of (from) Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people (multitude), and laid hards on him.” Paul’s attempt at concili ation resulted not in peace but more dis cord and grave trouble, but that does not prove that the-attempt was in itself unwise, for incalculable good came o f it. It resulted in bringing Paul to Rome where God wanted him and where he wished to go, and that without any expense to himself ox to the church, and under the most favor able circumstances to gain a hearing. It brought to Paul the opportunity to testify to the truth to Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, and gave him access to the praetorian guard (Phil. 1:13, R. V .), and to the household o f the emperor. It gave to the church some o f the most precious epistles in the Bible. v. 28. .“ Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every* where against the people, and the law, and his place: and further (moreover -he) brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.” The Jews from Asia were badly frightened when the whole company o f them had seized one lit tle man and yet had to call on the whole people for help. It is a striking sight to
see a crowd holding one man and calling a still larger crowd to help them. They grossly misrepresented Paul too. So far from teaching all men everywhere against the people and the law, in point o f fact he was a devoted lover o f his people, and also an observer o f the law. But every true servant o f God is sure to be misrepresented, and it will, not do for God’s servant to stop and try to set straight all the lies that are told about him. God will take care o f the lies and o f our reputation. v. 29. “ (For they had seen before (before seen) with him in the city Troph imus an (the) Ephesian, whom they sup posed that Paul had brought into the tem ple).” They had charged Paul with bring ing Greeks into the temple, and thus pol luting that holy place, but the charge was wholly false. “ They supposed” that it was true, but they had no business to suppose anything about it. In bringing charges against men we should state not what we suppose to be true, but only what we know to be true. But most charges are founded upon supposed instead o f upon known facts. They had seen a Greek with Paul in the city and supposed Paul had also taken him into the temple. B y'far the major part o f the charges that men, even Christians, bring against one another are o f just this char-
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