Lesson 370 - Senior

Memory Verse

"God hath not given us the spirit of fear;  but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"  (II Timothy 1:7).

Cross References

 

I Paul Journeys Toward Jerusalem

1. Paul and his companions tarried seven days at Tyre, [ACT:21:1-4].

2. At Tyre the disciples said to Paul through the Spirit, that bonds and afflictions awaited him at Jerusalem, [ACT:21:4-7].

3. At Cæsarea Paul was again warned by the Spirit of God that the Jews would bind him at Jerusalem, [ACT:21:8-14]; [ACT:20:22-23].

II Paul's Arrival at Jerusalem

1. Paul gave a report of his ministry to James and the elders of the church, [ACT:21:15-20].

2. Paul was asked by the elders to take a vow with four other men to appease the Jews, which he did, [ACT:21:20-26]

3. Paul was seized by an angry mob of Jews and was saved from bodily harm only by the intervention of the Romans, [ACT:21:27-37].

III Paul's Testimony and Imprisonment

1. Paul is given liberty to speak to the Jews, [ACT:21:38-40]; [ACT:22:1-21].

2. Paul was held by the Romans till the morrow, at which time he again gave his testimony to the high priest and the council, and before the Romans, [ACT:22:22-30]; [ACT:23:1].

3. The Jews attempted to kill Paul, whereupon he was taken by an armed guard to Felix the Governor for further questioning, [ACT:23:2-35]. 

Notes

 

Paul the Man

The last eight chapters of the Book of Acts relate the events of the closing days of the life of Paul the Apostle. Paul was a man whose abiding passion in life was to preach Christ to the masses who knew nothing of Him. Paul was wholeheartedly devoted to the service of God; and that intense devotion and burning zeal, coupled with his untiring labour for the work of the Lord, caused the Holy Spirit to inspire many pages of the Bible, recording this man's life and deeds for the inspiration of other generations. Paul made his love for God mightily felt in his own day; and because of the record of his life in the Bible, his life was continued to be an influence ever since; and he, like Abel, being dead, yet speaks.

Journey of Destiny

Paul felt the leading of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem again. He ended that trip by standing before the highest court of the Roman empire, that of Caesar.

Warned in every city, by the Spirit of God, of the trouble that awaited him in Jerusalem at the hands of the Jews, Paul was not deterred from going. Paul had been called of God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, but his heart burned continually for the salvation of his countrymen, the Jews. He felt keenly his desire to go again to Jerusalem and testify to the Jews of the great things that Christ had done for him, and would do for them if they would but believe on His name. Paul was determined to give his testimony to them despite any hazard in so doing. Paul had a proper estimate of the value of the testimony of a Blood-washed sinner, and he knew from experience that those who hear such testimonies are not unaffected. Nothing is more positive than the testimony of men and women who know for a certainty that they have passed from darkness into everlasting light. Such testimonies are sermons of authority, anointed and approved by the Holy Spirit of God, and cannot be easily forgotten by those who hear them.

Paul's conversion had dealt Judaism such a blow that its followers never forgave him. To lose one of their chief champions to the cause of Christ was unbearable to the Jews, and they sought his life for his "heresy." To place himself within their grasp in order to testify to them again was indeed a risky thing. Despite such risks Paul loved his countrymen enough that he was willing to give his life if he must (which indeed he was forced to do), in the hope that they might be saved. On an earlier occasion Paul had said, regarding his countrymen's salvation: "I could wish that myself wee accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" [ROM:9:3]). And he said again, "My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved" [ROM:10:1]). Paul proved by giving his life for the Gospel that such statements were not idle talk but were statements from a heart burning with the desire to see his people brought to a saving knowledge of Christ.

While Paul's journey to Jerusalem, which resulted in his imprisonment and death, might seem foolhardy to some, we know from the Scriptures that God supported him throughout his ordeal and gave him a mighty victory; and in the end took him home to Himself.

Paul trusted implicitly in God's providential care over him; and while he did not say it in the same words as Job said it, the essence of his faith in God was the same: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" [JOB:13:15]).

Testimony and Victory

Jesus said: "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service" [JHN:16:2]). He also said: "They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist" [LUK:21:12-15]).

That was a stern warning, perhaps, for the many who would have to face the things of which Jesus spoke, but they were promised glorious victory by the help and grace of God. Jesus said he was not alone, but the Father was always with Him; and it is true of His followers, that they are not alone. Jesus said the world would be the enemy of the Christian, but He told His disciples not to fear, because He had overcome the world.

When John the Beloved, on the Isle of Patmos, had that great vision of the last days, he saw those of whom it was said: "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" [REV:12:11]). It pleased the Lord that Paul would be one of that great numbers, who sealed their testimony and fidelity to their Lord with their life's blood.

Paul had told the great story of Jesus and His love throughout the civilised world; and in the closing hours of his life he was to testify again before kings and rulers. They had rejected the King of Glory, and they would also reject Paul; but God is ever faithful, and His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. Once again he was sending one of His own to tell the story that men might repent of their sins and receive eternal life. None who had heard Paul would be able to say that they had not heard of the Gospel. Though it would be a repetition of previous times when they had said, in word and deed, that they would not have this man (Christ) to rule over them, yet He ever abideth faithful, and wills not that any be lost, but that all should have eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord. 

Questions

 

1. How did Paul know that bonds and afflictions awaited him at Jerusalem?

2. What was Paul's decision regarding his trip to Jerusalem?

3. Why did the elders of the church at Jerusalem desire Paul to take a vow?

4. Why did Paul do so?

5. Why did the Jews attempt to kill Paul?

6. How was Paul saved from harm?

7. Why was Paul taken to Felix for questioning?