CHAPTER 16 (The Great Controversy)
Paul Visited
Jerusalem
Shortly after Paul's conversion he visited
Jerusalem, and preached Jesus, and the wonders of his grace. He related his miraculous conversion, which
enraged the priests, and rulers, and they sought to take his life. But that his life might be saved, Jesus
appeared to him again in a vision while he was praying, saying unto him, Get
thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony
concerning me. Paul earnestly plead with
Jesus, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that
believed on thee. And when the blood of
thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by and consenting unto his
death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. Paul thought the Jews in Jerusalem could not
resist his testimony; that they would consider that the great change in him
could only be wrought by the power of God.
But Jesus said unto him, Depart, for I will send thee far hence unto the
Gentiles.
In Paul's absence from Jerusalem, he wrote many
letters to different places, relating his experience, and bearing a powerful
testimony. But some strove to destroy
the influence of those letters. They had
to admit that his letters were weighty and powerful; but declared that his
bodily presence was weak, and his speech contemptible.
I saw that Paul was a man of great learning, and
his wisdom and manners charmed his hearers.
Learned men were pleased with his knowledge, and many of them believed
on Jesus. When before kings and large
assemblies, he would pour forth such eloquence as would bear down all before
him. This greatly enraged the priests
and elders. Paul could readily enter
into deep reasoning, and soar up, and carry the people with him, in the most
exalted trains of thought, and bring to view the deep riches of the grace of
God, and portray before them the amazing love of Christ. Then with simplicity he would come down to
the understanding of the common people, and in a most powerful manner relate
his experience, which called forth from them ardent desires to be the disciples
of Christ.
The Lord revealed to Paul that he must again go
up to Jerusalem; that he would there be bound and suffer for his name. And although he was a prisoner for a great
length of time, yet the Lord was carrying forward his special work through
him. Paul's bonds were to be the means
of spreading the knowledge of Christ, and thus glorifying God. As he was sent from city to city for his
trial, the testimony concerning Jesus, and the interesting incidents of his
conversion were related before kings and governors, that they should not be
left without testimony concerning Jesus.
Thousands believed on him and rejoiced in his name. I saw that God's special purpose was
fulfilled in the journey of Paul upon the water, that the ship's crew might
witness the power of God through Paul, and that the heathen also might hear the
name of Jesus, and many be converted through his teaching, and by witnessing
the miracles he wrought. Kings and
governors were charmed by his reasoning, and as, with zeal and the power of the
Holy Spirit, he preached Jesus, and related the interesting events of his
experience, conviction fastened upon them that Jesus was the Son of God; and
while some wondered with amazement as they listened to Paul, one cried out,
Almost thou persuadest me to be a christian.
Yet they thought that at some future time they would consider what they
had heard. Satan took advantage of the
delay, and as they neglected that opportunity when their hearts were softened,
it was forever. Their hearts became
hardened.
I was shown the work of Satan in first blinding
the eyes of the Jews so that they would not receive Jesus as their Saviour; and
next in leading them, through envy because of his mighty works, to desire his
life. Satan entered one of Jesus' own
followers, and led him on to betray him into their hands, and they crucified
the Lord of life and glory. After Jesus
arose from the dead, the Jews added sin to sin as they sought to hide the fact
of the resurrection, by hiring for money the Roman guard to testify to a
falsehood. But the resurrection of Jesus
was made doubly sure by the resurrection of a multitude of witnesses who arose
with him. Jesus appeared to his
disciples, and to above five hundred at once, while those whom he brought up
with him appeared unto many declaring that Jesus had risen.
Satan had caused the Jews to rebel against God,
by refusing to receive his Son, and in staining their hands with most precious
blood in crucifying him. No matter how
powerful the evidence given of Jesus' being the Son of God, the Redeemer of the
world; they had murdered him, and could not receive any evidence in his
favor. Their only hope and consolation,
like Satan's after his fall, was in trying to prevail against the Son of
God. They continued their rebellion by
persecuting the disciples of Christ, and putting them to death. Nothing fell so harshly on their ears as the
name of Jesus whom they had crucified; and they were determined not to listen
to any evidence in his favor. As in the
case of Stephen, as the Holy Spirit through him declared the mighty evidence of
his being the Son of God, they stopped their ears lest they should be
convinced. And while Stephen was wrapped
up in God's glory, they stoned him to death.
Satan had the murderers of Jesus fast in his grasp. By wicked works they had yielded themselves
his willing subjects, and through them he was at work to trouble and annoy the
believers of Christ. He worked through
the Jews to stir up the Gentiles against the name of Jesus, and against those
who followed him, and believed on his name.
But God sent his angels to strengthen the disciples for their work, that
they might testify of the things they had seen and heard, and at last in their
steadfastness, seal their testimony with their blood.
Satan rejoiced that the Jews were safe in his
snare. They still continued their
useless forms, their sacrifices and ordinances.
As Jesus hung upon the cross, and cried, It
is finished, the vail of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to
the bottom, to signify that God would no longer meet with the priests in the
temple, to accept their sacrifices and ordinances; and also to show that the
partition wall was broken down between the Jews and the Gentiles. Jesus had made an offering of himself for
both, and if saved at all, both must believe in Jesus as the only offering for
sin, and the Saviour of the world.
While Jesus hung upon the cross, as the soldier
pierced his side with a spear, there came out blood and water, in two distinct
streams, one of blood, the other of clear water. The blood was to wash away the sins of those
who should believe in his name. The
water represents that living water which is obtained from Jesus to give life to
the believer.
See Matthew 27:51; John 19:34; Acts chap.24&26
Mat 27:51 And,
behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;
and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent
Joh 19:34 But
one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out
blood and water.
Act 24:1 And
after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a
certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
Act 24:2 And
when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by
thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this
nation by thy providence,
Act 24:3 We
accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all
thankfulness.
Act 24:4
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou
wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
Act 24:5 For
we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all
the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the
Nazarenes:
Act 24:6 Who
also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged
according to our law.
Act 24:7 But
the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away
out of our hands,
Act 24:8
Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest
take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
Act 24:9 And
the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
Act 24:10 Then
Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered,
Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation,
I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
Act 24:11
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I
went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
Act 24:12 And
they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up
the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
Act 24:13
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
Act 24:14 But
this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship
I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and
in the prophets:
Act 24:15 And
have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Act 24:16 And
herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward
God, and toward men.
Act 24:17 Now
after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
Act 24:18
Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with
multitude, nor with tumult.
Act 24:19 Who
ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against
me.
Act 24:20 Or
else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I
stood before the council,
Act 24:21
Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the
resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
Act 24:22 And
when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he
deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will
know the uttermost of your matter.
Act 24:23 And
he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he
should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
Act 24:24 And
after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess,
he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
Act 24:25 And
as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix
trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient
season, I will call for thee.
Act 24:26 He
hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose
him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
Act 24:27 But
after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to
shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Act 26:1 Then
Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul
stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
Act 26:2 I
think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day
before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
Act 26:3
Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which
are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
Act 26:4 My
manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at
Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
Act 26:5 Which
knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most
straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Act 26:6 And
now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our
fathers:
Act 26:7 Unto
which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to
come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
Act 26:8 Why
should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the
dead?
Act 26:9 I
verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name
of Jesus of Nazareth.
Act 26:10
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in
prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were
put to death, I gave my voice against them.
Act 26:11 And
I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and
being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange
cities.
Act 26:12
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief
priests,
Act 26:13 At
midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of
the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
Act 26:14 And
when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and
saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard
for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 26:15 And
I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest.
Act 26:16 But
rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose,
to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast
seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Act 26:17
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send
thee,
Act 26:18 To
open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Act 26:19
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly
vision:
Act 26:20 But
shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the
coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to
God, and do works meet for repentance.
Act 26:21 For
these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
Act 26:22
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing
both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets
and Moses did say should come:
Act 26:23 That
Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the
dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
Act 26:24 And
as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art
beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
Act 26:25 But
he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth
and soberness.
Act 26:26 For
the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am
persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not
done in a corner.
Act 26:27 King
Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Act 26:28 Then
Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Act 26:29 And
Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this
day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
Act 26:30 And
when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and
they that sat with them:
Act 26:31 And
when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man
doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
Act 26:32 Then
said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had
not appealed unto Caesar.
No comments:
Post a Comment