Paul's voyage

to

mais

(Acts

211-7)

and all of his talents in behalf of "the body of Christ." (3) To show to his fellow citizens in this ideal commonwealth justice, love, consideration, and hospitality. (4) To regard all men of every shade of faith in the spirit of love and forgiveness and to serve them as opportunity offers. (5) To pay to the state its dues and to respect and obey its rulers. (6) To extend to the Gentiles everywhere the hand of Christian fellowship, to proclaim to them the Gospel of the Master, and by these means to attract them to the ranks of those who are loyally working for that perfect community which is ultimately to include all mankind. Thus, nobly and practically, in the concrete terms of love and loyalty and service, Paul interpreted Jesus' great social command to "seek first the Kingdom of God."

§ CLXII. PAUL'S LAST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

When we had torn ourselves away from the presbyters of Ephesus and had set sail, we ran in a straight course to Ptole Cos; on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patera. Finding a ship bound for Phoenicia, we embarked and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and leaving it on our left, we sailed for Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo. After we had searched out the disciples, we remained there seven days. Certain of these disciples under the inspiration of the Spirit kept telling Paul not to set foot in Jerusalem; but when our time was up, we set out and went our way, escorted until we were out of the city by all of them, including women and children. Then kneeling on the beach we prayed and said good-bye to one another. While we went on board the ship, they returned home. Sailing from Tyre to Ptolemais, we completed our voyage. Then after we had saluted the brothers, we spent one day with them.

His ex

ence at Cæsa

rea

(8-14)

Setting out the next morning, we came to Cæsarea and peri- entered the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now he had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. While we remained there many days a certain prophet by the name of Agabus came down from Judea. Coming to us, he took Paul's girdle and bound his own feet and hands, saying, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews bind the owner of

PAUL'S EXPERIENCE AT CÆSAREA

this girdle and hand him over to the Gentiles.' When we heard these words, we and those who dwelt at Cæsarea besought Paul not to go up to Jerusalem; but Paul replied, What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the Lord Jesus. When he would not be persuaded, we ceased speaking, saying, May the Lord's will be done.

at

salem

After some days, we packed up our baggage and set out His for Jerusalem. And certain of the disciples from Cæsarea accompanied us, conducting us to the house of a certain JeruMnason, a native of Cyprus, one of the early disciples with (15-17) whom we were to lodge. When we arrived at Jerusalem the brothers received us gladly.

On the next day Paul went with us to James. All the presbyters were present and, after saluting them, Paul told in detail all that God had done through his ministry among the Gentiles; and when they heard it they glorified God. They also said to him, Brother, you see how many tens of thousands there are among the Jews who believe and that all of them zealously uphold the law. Now they have been told that you teach all Jews who live among the Gentiles to break away from Moses and that you tell them not to circumcise their children and not to follow the old customs. What now is to be done? They are sure to hear that you have arrived, therefore do what we say. We have four men here who have taken a vow upon themselves. Associate with them, purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses that they may shave their heads and all will know that there is no foundation for the stories about you but that you are orthodox and that you yourself keep the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have communicated to them our decision that they must abstain from those things which have been offered to idols, from blood, from the flesh of animals which have been strangled and from sexual vice. Then Paul associated himself with the men the next day, was purified along with them, and went into the temple, announcing when the days of purification would be completed, that is, when sacrifice could be offered for each of them.

Reception at

Jerusalem

(17-200)

The

plan to

concili

ate the

Jews

(20b-26)

Paul's seizure

by the

mob

(27-30)

His deliverance

by the Roman

commander

(31-40, 2221)

But when the seven days were almost over, certain Jews from the province of Asia, seeing Paul in the temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands on him, shouting, Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the Jewish people and the law and this place. And besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and desecrated this holy place. (For they had previously seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city whom they supposed Paul had taken into the temple.) The whole city was aroused and the people rushed together and seized Paul and dragged him outside the temple, and immediately the gates were closed.

But while the people were seeking to kill Paul, word came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in confusion. Immediately taking some soldiers and officers, he rushed down to them. But when they saw the commander and the soldiers they ceased beating Paul. Then the commander drew near and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. And he inquired, Who is he and what has he done? Some of the crowd shouted one thing, some another; but when he could not learn the exact truth on account of the uproar, he ordered Paul to be led into the barracks. But when Paul was at the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd, for the whole multitude of the people followed shouting, Away with him! Just as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, May I say something to you? The commander replied, Do you know Greek? Then you are not the Egyptian who in former days stirred up the four thousand Assassins and led them out into the desert? Paul replied, I am a Jew, a native of Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people. And as the commander gave permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hands to the people; and when there was perfect silence he addressed them in Hebrew, telling them of his vision on the way to Damascus and how the Lord said to him, Go, for I send you afar to the Gentiles.

Until he had said this the people had listened to Paul,

PAUL'S SCOURGING

tion

mob

(2222

but now they raised a great outcry saying, Away with such Scourga fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live! They the ining at shouted and threw their clothes into the air and flung dust stigaabout until the commander ordered Paul to be led into the of the barracks and to be examined under the lash in order to ascertain the reason why the people had shouted at him. " But when they had tied him up with straps, Paul said to the officer who was standing by, Are you permitted to Scourge a Roman citizen, and that without trial? When the officer heard this he went to report the matter to the commander, saying, What is this you are about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen. Then the commander went to him and said, Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? And he answered, Yes. Then the commander replied, I paid a large sum for this citizenship. But I was born a Roman citizen, said Paul. Then the men who were about to examine him immediately left him. The commander also was alarmed when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

defense

San

hedrin

(2230

235)

The next day the commander, wishing to know exactly Paul's what charge was brought against Paul by the Jews, unbound before him and ordered the high priests and all the Sanhedrin to the assemble. Then bringing Paul down, he made him stand before them. Whereupon, Paul looking straight at the Sanhedrin, said, Brothers, I have lived before God with a perfectly good conscience up to this day. Then the high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Paul said to him, You whitewashed wall, God will strike you! Do you sit there to judge me according to the law while you yourself break the law by ordering me to be struck? But those who were standing by said, Would you rail at God's high priest? Paul said, Brothers, I did not know that he was a high priest (for it is written, 'Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people ').

Then Paul, knowing that part of the Sanhedrin consisted of Sadducees and the other part of Pharisees, shouted to them, Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. For the hope of the resurrection of the dead I am on trial! When he said this, there was a quarrel between the Phari

between

the

The sees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. dispute For while the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection nor angel nor spirit, the Pharisees acknowledge all these ducees things; hence there was a great uproar. And some of and the the scribes, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees, arose and contended, We find no harm in this man. What

Sad

Pharisees

(6-10)

Paul's vision

(11)

The

plot to

kill him (12-15)

The dis

of the
plot
(16-21a)

if some spirit or angel has spoken to him? When the quarrel became so violent that the commander feared that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, he ordered the troops to go down and take him from their midst by force and bring him into the barracks.

On the following night the Lord stood by Paul and said, Be of good courage, for as you have borne witness to me at Jerusalem so you must bear witness also at Rome.

Now when daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and solemnly swore not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. Those who bound themselves by this oath were more than forty in all. Going to the high priests and elders they said, We have bound ourselves by a solemn oath not to taste anything until we have killed Paul. Now you, together with the Sanhedrin, must make it appear to the commander that you wish him to bring Paul down to you because you wish to investigate more minutely the charges brought against him. We will be ready to kill him before he comes near this place.

But Paul's nephew heard of the treacherous ambush and closure gained admission to the barracks and informed Paul. Then Paul called one of the officers and said, Take this young man to the commander for he has some information to give him. Accordingly the officer took and brought him to the commander and said, Paul the prisoner called me and asked me if I would bring this young man to you for he has something to say to you. Then the commander took him aside by the hand and inquired of him in private, What is the information you have to give me? He said, The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to-morrow down to the Sanhedrin for the avowed purpose of examining his case in detail. Now do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him.

Then the commander sent away the young man, enjoin