S. S. Times Acts 21:27-40 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people… I. SUFFERING ASSAULT. 1. When religion degenerates into a matter of rites and ceremonies, there is manifested very great zeal for forms, and very little zeal for truth. 2. When the Jews planned to convict Paul of false teaching, they indulged in a great deal of falsehood that they might accomplish their object. 3. When the Jews merely "supposed" that Paul had brought Trophimus into the temple, they accused the apostle before the people without the least hint that they were basing their charge on a mere supposition. 4. When the people heard, they "ran together" without further invitation. Meetings called for the worst purposes usually need the least advertising. 5. When Paul was dragged out, the doors Were shut. The murderous bloodthirsty Jews were so afraid that some microscopic temple ordinance might be polluted. 6. When the mob had beaten Paul, and attempted to kill him, the tidings speedily reached the police station that something was the matter. The ancient police officer seems not to have slept as serenely as the modern police officer does. 7. When it is only a poor persecuted apostle, or street preacher, or member of the Salvation Army, who is being assaulted, it is unusual for the world's police forces to be so quick in learning of the disturbance. II. SUFFERING ARREST. 1. One may wear chains, and still not be a felon or a slave. 2. One may be compelled to wear chains, not to keep him from escaping, but to help him to escape. Thus Paul wore them. 3. One may enter prison walls, and not be a convict. Paul was never convicted of anything worse than of utter fearlessness in duty doing. 4. One may be protected from two classes of enemies by their mutual hatred of one another. Thus was Paul saved from the hostile Jews by the indifferent Romans. 5. One may be hustled into safety by the very violence of the attacks upon him. Thus the mob crowded Paul, borne in the soldiers' arms, within the castle. 6. One and the same evil cry meg the ears of the Divine Master and of His great apostle — "Away with him." III. SUFFERED TO SPEAK. 1. After the world's police forces do learn of a disturbance, they are prone to rush out and mistake the harmless, defenceless, unresisting apostle as the dangerous leader of four thousand bloodthirsty assassins! 2. After all, the Apostle Paul is not as defenceless as he seems. He has all the resources of Christian bravery, and God is on his side. 3. After he has been roughly treated by the foes of Christ, the true disciple of Christ still shows no disposition to run away, but remains to address the rabble. 4. After a fully consecrated heart, nothing is more desirable in a Christian worker than a clear head and steady nerves. 5. After Paul had done his duty, he let God take care of the consequences, and he evidently cared more for the safety of the cause than he did for his own security. (S. S. Times.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, |
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