_And when they were escaped then they knew._ TOMORROW, A REVEALER A great many things are clearer today than they were last night. Tomorrow will clear up some of the mysteries of today. Weird shapes of the darkness take a matter-of-fact form when the sun rises. Doubts and fears which oppress us du... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness; for they kindled a fire._ GLAD SURPRISES FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS God has glad surprises at every turn for those who trust Him, and who walk confidently in the path of duty. People who are called barbarous, or sordid, or cold-hearted, are found r... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire._ HOW TO KEEP UP THE FIRE If a man wants a fire kept up, he must do his share in supplying its fuel. It will not burn long unless it is replenished. Those who need its warmth, “because of the present rain, and because of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius._ PUBLIUS Here is-- I. An obscure man made famous. History says nothing about Publius. As far as the Roman annalists are concerned, such a man might not have lived. They were busy with the Neros, Felixes,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria._ THE JOURNEY TO ROME 1. After a delay of three months--_i.e._, when winter was past and spring approaching--the party put to sea again. Castor and Pollux, the tutelary deities of seafaring men, constituted the figurehead of the ship in w... [ Continue Reading ]
_…The brethren … came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage._ THE MEETING AT APPII FORUM AND THE THREE TAVERNS The effect of this meeting on Paul requires explanation. He found brethren at Puteoli, but no such feelings were ar... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard._ ROME AS SEEN BY PAUL Within a circuit of little more than twelve miles more than two millions of inhabitants were crowded. In this prodigious collection of human beings, there were of course all the contr... [ Continue Reading ]
_After three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together._ PAUL’S FIRST CONFERENCE WITH THE JEWISH CHIEFS Note-- I. His address. In justifying himself he states-- 1. That his captivity was not due to any crime against Israel or its religious customs. 2. That he had been compelled to appeal... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain._ THE CHAIN OF PAUL 1. A disgraceful monument for his blinded people. 2. An honourable sign for the faithful servant of God. 3. A precious comfort for all who suffer on account of the truth. (_K. Gerok._) THE CHAIN AND THE HOPE I. The chain.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging._ PAUL’S SECOND CONFERENCE WITH THE JEWS Note-- I. The interesting character of his preaching. It was-- 1. Evangelical. His theme was the “kingdom of God”--the reign of the Messiah as predicted by the prophets. Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand._ JUDICIAL HARDNESS The passage from which the apostle quotes is Isaiah 6:1, where the prophet received a special commission and was forewarned that he would address his message to a hardened, unbelieving people--the effect of the message on the peo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles._ THE SALVATION OF GOD I. The salvation of the gospel is “the salvation of God.” 1. It emanates from God. It is the product of His power and wisdom. It is the great display of His holiness and of His justice. It... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house._ PAUL’S TWO YEARS’ MINISTRY IN HIS OWN HIRED HOUSE Here his biographer takes leave of Paul. The curtain falls on the great actor. The greatest life has a close. These verses suggest-- I. The essence of Christianity. 1. “Those things which c... [ Continue Reading ]