按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
together their leading men and in a simple； direct manner stated why he had
come to Rome as a prisoner。
〃Men and brethren；〃 he said； 〃though I have committed nothing against the
people； or customs of our fathers； yet was I delivered prisoner from
Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans。 Who； when they had examined me；
would have let me go； because there was no cause of death in me。 But when
the Jews spake against it； I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar； not that
I had aught to accuse my nation of。 For this cause therefore have I called
for you； to see you； and to speak with you： because that for the hope of
Israel I am bound with this chain。〃
He said nothing of the abuse which he had suffered at the hands of the Jews；
or of their repeated plots to assassinate him。 His words were marked with
caution and kindness。 He was not seeking to win personal attention or
sympathy； but to defend the truth and to maintain the honor of the gospel。
451
In reply； his hearers stated that they had received no charges against him
by letters public or private； and that none of the Jews who had come to Rome
had accused him of any crime。 They also expressed a strong desire to hear
for themselves the reasons of his faith in Christ。 〃As concerning this
sect；〃 they said； 〃we know that everywhere it is spoken against。〃
Since they themselves desired it； Paul bade them set a day when he could
present to them the truths of the gospel。 At the time appointed； many came
together； 〃to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God； persuading
them concerning Jesus； both out of the law of Moses； and out of the
prophets； from morning till evening。〃 He related his own experience； and
presented arguments from the Old Testament Scriptures with simplicity；
sincerity； and power。
The apostle showed that religion does not consist in rites and ceremonies；
creeds and theories。 If it did； the natural man could understand it by
investigation； as he understands worldly things。 Paul taught that religion
is a practical； saving energy； a principle wholly from God； a personal
experience of God's renewing power upon the soul。
He showed how Moses had pointed Israel forward to Christ as that Prophet
whom they were to hear； how all the prophets had testified of Him as God's
great remedy for sin； the guiltless One who was to bear the sins of the
guilty。 He did not find fault with their observance of forms and ceremonies；
but showed that while they
452
maintained the ritual service with great exactness； they were rejecting Him
who was the antitype of all that system。
Paul declared that in his unconverted state he had known Christ； not by
personal acquaintance； but merely by the conception which he； in common with
others； cherished concerning the character and work of the Messiah to come。
He had rejected Jesus of Nazareth as an impostor because He did not fulfill
this conception。 But now Paul's views of Christ and His mission were far
more spiritual and exalted； for he had been converted。 The apostle asserted
that he did not present to them Christ after the flesh。 Herod had seen
Christ in the days of His humanity； Annas had seen Him； Pilate and the
priests and rulers had seen Him； the Roman soldiers had seen Him。 But they
had not seen Him with the eye of faith； they had not seen Him as the
glorified Redeemer。 To apprehend Christ by faith； to have a spiritual
knowledge of Him； was more to be desired than a personal acquaintance with
Him as He appeared on the earth。 The communion with Christ which Paul now
enjoyed was more intimate； more enduring； than a mere earthly and human
companionship。
As Paul spoke of what he knew； and testified of what he had seen； concerning
Jesus of Nazareth as the hope of Israel； those who were honestly seeking for
truth were convinced。 Upon some minds； at least； his words made an
impression that was never effaced。 But others stubbornly refused to accept
the plain testimony of the Scriptures； even when presented to them by one
who had the special illumination of the Holy Spirit。 They could not refute
453
his arguments； but they refused to accept his conclusions。
Many months passed by after Paul's arrival in Rome； before the Jews of
Jerusalem appeared in person to present their accusations against the
prisoner。 They had been repeatedly thwarted in their designs； and now that
Paul was to be tried before the highest tribunal of the Roman Empire； they
had no desire to risk another defeat。 Lysias； Felix； Festus； and Agrippa had
all declared their belief in his innocence。 His enemies could hope for
success only in seeking by intrigue to influence the emperor in their favor。
Delay would further their object； as it would afford them time to perfect
and execute their plans； and so they waited for a while before preferring
their charges in person against the apostle。
In the providence of God this delay resulted in the furtherance of the
gospel。 Through the favor of those who had Paul in charge； he was permitted
to dwell in a commodious house； where he could meet freely with his friends
and also present the truth daily to those who came to hear。 Thus for two
years he continued his labors； 〃preaching the kingdom of God； and teaching
those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ； will all confidence； no
man forbidding him。〃
During this time the churches that he had established in many lands were not
forgotten。 Realizing the dangers that threatened the converts to the new
faith； the apostle sought so far as possible to meet their needs by letters
of warning and practical instruction。 And from Rome he
454
sent out consecrated workers to labor not only for these churches； but in
fields that he himself had not visited。 These workers； as wise shepherds；
strengthened the work so well begun by Paul； and the apostle； kept informed
of the condition and dangers of the churches by constant communication with
them； was enabled to exercise a wise supervision over all。
Thus； while apparently cut off from active labor； Paul exerted a wider and
more lasting influence than if he had been free to travel among the churches
as in former years。 As a prisoner of the Lord； he had a firmer hold upon the
affections of his brethren； and his words； written by one under bonds for
the sake of Christ； commanded greater attention and respect than they did
when he was personally with them。 Not until Paul was removed from them； did
the believers realize how heavy were the burdens he had borne in their
behalf。 Heretofore they had largely excused themselves from responsibility
and burden bearing because they lacked his wisdom； tact； and indomitable
energy； but now； left in their inexperience to learn the lessons they had
shunned； they prized his warnings； counsels； and instructions as they had
not prized his personal work。 And as they learned of his courage and faith
during his long imprisonment they were stimulated to greater fidelity and
zeal in the cause of Christ。
Among Paul's assistants at Rome were many of his former companions and
fellow workers。 Luke； 〃the beloved physician；〃 who had attended him on the
journey to Jerusalem； through the two years' imprisonment at Caesarea； and
upon his perilous voyage to Rome； was with him still。
455
Timothy also ministered to his comfort。 Tychicus； 〃a beloved brother； and a
faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord；〃 stood nobly by the
apostle。 Demas and Mark were also with him。 Aristarchus and Epaphras were
his 〃fellow prisoners。〃 Colossians 4：7…14。
Since the earlier years of his profession of faith； Mark's Christian
experience had deepened。 As he had studied more closely the life and death
of Christ he had obtained clearer views of the Saviour's mission； its toils
and conflicts。 Reading in the scars in Christ's hands and feet the marks of
His service for humanity； and the length to which self…abnegation leads to
save the lost and perishing； Mark had become willing to follow the Master in
the path of self…sacrifice。 Now； sharing the lot of Paul the prisoner； he
understood better than ever before that it is infinite gain to win Christ；
infinite loss to win the world and lose the soul for whose redemption the
blood of Christ was shed。 In the face of severe trial and adversity； Mark
continued steadfast； a wise and beloved helper of the apostle。
Demas； steadfast for a time； afterward forsook the cause of Christ。 In
referring to this； Paul wrote； 〃Demas hath forsaken me； having loved this
present world。〃 2 Timothy 4：10。 For worldly gain； Demas bartered every high
and noble consideration。 How shortsighted the exchange！ Possessing only
worldly wealth or honor； Demas was poor indeed； however much he might
proudly call his own； while Mark； choosing to suffer for Christ's sake；
possessed eternal riches； being accounted in heaven an heir of God and a
joint heir with His Son。
456
Among those who gave their hearts to God through the labors of Paul in Rome
was Onesimus； a pagan s