Chapter 5.
A SHORT HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE TRIALS OF THE APOSTLE.
Let us now trace the Apostle's journey of mercy, as recorded by his
fellow-laborer and historian Luke. It is highly instructive to pursue such a
tour of benevolence, "to contemplate a man, who renounced the comforts of
home, not to amass wealth, or gratify curiosity, or acquire knowledge, which
might be ostentatiously displayed on his return; but to perform the
unsolicited offices of love to strangers; to impart to them the best of all
gifts, the blessings of salvation; to do good to others not only at the
expense of time and labor, but at the risk of his life. It was thus that
Paul, like his Master, went about doing good." While we travel with him from
city to city, we shall find that every where bonds and afflictions awaited
him. He was a flame, kept alive in the midst of raging waters. By the
preserving care of his Savior, he was immortal, until his work was done.
At JERUSALEM, the theater of his bloody persecutions, he no sooner began to
preach salvation through the cross of Christ, than the unbelieving Jews went
about to kill him.
At ANTIOCH the people flocked in such numbers to hear the Gospel, that the
Jews, filled with envy, spoke against those things which were spoken of
Paul, contradicting and blaspheming, until they succeeded in raising a
persecution against him, and in expelling him out of their coast. But he
shook off the dust of his feet against them, and came unto Iconium, being
filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.
At ICONIUM, the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their
minds evil affected against Paul and Barnabas, so that an assault was made
both by the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them
despitefully, and stone them.
At LYSTRA, certain Jews, who came from Antioch and Iconium, persuaded the
people, and having stoned Paul, they drew him out of the city, supposing he
had been dead; but while the disciples stood round about him, he was
miraculously restored. At this place the Apostle gave a striking proof of
the purity of his principles. Having performed a miracle upon a cripple who
had never walked, being lame from his birth, the astonished multitude cried
out, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." It was with much
difficulty that Paul restrained them from offering sacrifices unto him,
saying. "Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions
with you, and preach to you that you should turn from these vanities unto
the living God." How different was the spirit and end of Herod, who drank in
the poison of popular adulation. Being arrayed in royal apparel, and seated
upon his throne, he made an oration to the people. They gave a shout,
saying, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the
angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and he was
eaten by worms, and gave up the spirit."
At PHILIPPI, when traveling with Silas, the multitude rose up together
against them. The magistrates rent off their clothes in anger, and commanded
to beat them; and when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them
into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely, who, having received
such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast
in the stocks. Here, the Almighty appeared in behalf of his suffering
servants; for, while they were singing praises to God during the hour of
midnight, suddenly there was a great earthquake; so that the foundations of
the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every
one's bands were loosed. Through the wonder-working power of grace, the
jailor was made to cry for mercy, to believe in Jesus, to show kindness to
the Apostle, and to rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
At THESSALONICA, Paul reasoned with the Jews three Sabbath-days out of the
Scriptures, opening and alleging that Christ must have suffered and risen
again from the dead; and that Jesus whom he preached unto them is Christ.
And some believed and joined with him and Silas. But the Jews who believed
not, moved with envy, took certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and
gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar.
At BEREA Paul had no rest; for when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge
that the word of God was preached by him at this place, they came here and
stirred up the people. Yet his visit was not without some fruit; for the
Jews at Berea, were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily,
whether those things were so. And the happy consequence was, that many of
them believed- also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a
few.
At ATHENS, he had to endure the strife of tongues, In the synagogue he
disputed with the Jews, and in the market daily with those who met with him.
Certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him;
while others, mocking, said, "What will this babbler say? You bring strange
things to our ears." The opposition which Paul met with from these
philosophers, most strikingly shows the holy and humbling nature of the
Gospel. The Epicureans derided him, because the pure and self-denying
precepts of Christ condemned their loose and exorbitant course of life. The
Stoics assailed him, because the meek and lowly spirit of the Gospel was
directly opposed to their immoderate pride and love of praise. All, both
philosophers and plebeians, ridiculed him, because he preached to them Jesus
and the resurrection, and exposed, by arguments drawn from Creation and
Providence, the folly of idolatry, and their gross superstition in
worshiping an unknown God.
At CORINTH, when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection
with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment-seat. But here
the Apostle received strength and consolation from on high. The Lord spoke
to him in the night by a vision "Do not be afraid, but speak, and hold not
your peace, for I am with you, and no man shall set on you, to hurt you, for
I have many people in this city."
At EPHESUS, a violent tumult was raised by Demetrius, who made silver
shrines for Diana. The whole city was full of confusion, and so great was
the danger that, when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the
disciples did not allow him.
At MILETUS, Paul expressed his feelings to the elders of the church of
Ephesus with inimitable tenderness. "And now I am going to Jerusalem, drawn
there irresistibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me, except
that the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering
lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work
assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about
God's wonderful kindness and love. And now I know that none of you to whom I
have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again."
At CAESAREA the Apostle manifested a noble firmness. A certain prophet from
Judea, named Agabus, took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet,
and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind
the man that owns this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the
Gentiles." When the disciples heard this, they besought Paul not to go to
Jerusalem. But was such a man as he to be intimidated, through fear of
suffering? Could he, who gloried in tribulation for Christ's sake, be
induced to shrink from the cross? Paul answered; "Why all this weeping? You
are breaking my heart! For I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but
also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus." And when he could not be
persuaded, they ceased, saying- the will of the Lord be done!
Can we thus surrender into the hands of our heavenly Father, without a
murmur, whatever is dearest to us? Not daring to cavil at his inscrutable
Wisdom, do we cordially acquiesce in all the arrangements of his Providence
and rejoice in the manifestations of his glory, even when He requires the
sacrifice of our most valued comforts? Under every bereavement, can we say,
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the
Lord?" "The will of the Lord be done?"
At JERUSALEM, the Apostle did indeed experience the full accomplishment of
the predictions of Agabus. All the city was upset; and when the people ran
together, they took Paul, and dragged him out of the temple, and went about
to kill him. The chief captain also commanded him to be bound with two
chains. But Jesus did not forsake his faithful servant. In a vision of the
night, the Lord stood by him, and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul, for as you
have testified of me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness also at Rome."
With such divine assurances of support, with such favored manifestations of
his Savior's love, he might well say to Agrippa, in his eloquent defense, "I
pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become
the same as I am, except for these chains." Having appealed to Caesar-
Festus said to Paul, "Unto Caesar shall you go." All this was over-ruled, to
lead this faithful ambassador of Christ to Rome, that there also he might
testify the Gospel of the grace of God.
With such unceasing trials the Apostle might well say to the Corinthians,
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
miserable." But his hope was founded on the Rock of Ages; his life was
hidden with Christ in God; therefore he was safe and happy.
Being put into a ship at Adramytium, this faithful minister of Christ
proceeded on his voyage to Rome. He, whose way is in the sea, and whose path
is in the great waters, was pleased to raise a storm, which should manifest
his power, promote the spread of his Truth, and procure respect for his
suffering servant. When neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no
small tempest threatened their destruction, all hope that the crew would be
saved was taken away.
Any religion will stand in a calm. In a storm, in the moment of imminent
danger, the true Christian alone exhibits the strength of his principles.
When the worldling is filled with dismay, he is full of comfort, yes,
exceeding joyful in all his tribulation. Amid the raging elements, the
Apostle stood as the messenger of mercy- "Sirs, you should have hearkened
unto me, and not have left from Crete, and to have gained this harm and
loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall he no loss
of any man's life among you, but of the ship alone. For there stood by me
this night the Angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, fear not,
Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and, lo, God has given you all
those who sail with you. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe
God that it shall be even as it was told me."
Happy Paul! to be thus honored by God, and blessed with his presence!
Caesar, surrounded with all the splendors of an imperial palace, was poor
indeed, when compared with this despised prisoner of Jesus Christ. We may
here learn to form a just estimate of human happiness. It does not consist
in the abundance of wealth, the dignity of power, or the fascinations of
pleasure; but, in the enjoyment of the Divine favor, and in an uniform
loving obedience to the Divine Will.
Can we, like the holy Apostle, in filial confidence declare, "Whose I am,
and whom I serve?" To do this is happiness upon earth; to feel this, is the
commencement of heavenly felicity. If our hearts assure us that the Lord is
our portion, we are truly rich, under every outward privation. Faith is the
key which unlocks the store-house of divine bounty. Possessing this gift of
grace, the believer can hope against hope, and repose upon the promises
under every discouragement. When all is dark around him, and dangers
threaten his destruction, he can even then rejoice in the Lord, and joy in
the God of his salvation. How sweetly does David sing, "God is our refuge
and strength, a very present help in trouble- therefore will not we fear,
though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the
midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the
mountains shake with the swelling thereof."
Faith is a triumphant principle. It supported the royal Psalmist under all
his varied trials, and upheld the undaunted Paul amid the storms which every
where assailed him. To the affrighted crew, the Apostle manifested its
supporting influence, when he declared, "I believe God, that it shall be
even as it was told me." This is faith in its native simplicity. It is
taking God at his word. It is trusting in a naked promise, believing that
God will do as he has said. It is confidence in the faithfulness, power, and
love of Christ. It is reliance upon the Truth of Him who cannot lie, whose
counsel shall stand, and who will do all his pleasure. Such faith, as it
honors God, so it brings peace and purity into the soul.
Being cast upon the Island of Melita, the Apostle would no doubt preach
among its inhabitants the unsearchable riches of Christ. Publius, the chief
man of the island, lodged him three days courteously; to whom he rendered a
signal benefit through the power of Jesus, by the restoration of his father
to health. The common people also were directed to attend unto the word of
salvation, by his miraculous escape from death; for when a viper fastened
itself upon his hand, he shook it off without receiving any harm. Thus they
saw in Paul the prisoner, a dignity far surpassing an ordinary character;
and they honored him with many honors.
At length the Apostle came to Rome. When the brethren heard of his arrival
in Italy, they came to meet him, as far as Appian Forum, whom, when Paul saw
them, he thanked God, and took courage. After he had been three days at
Rome, he called the chief of the Jews together, to whom he made known the
reasons fur his thus appearing as a prisoner among them; and when they had
appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodgings, 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
until evening; and some believed the things which were spoken, and some
believed not. Through the preserving care of his Almighty Savior, Paul dwelt
two whole years in his own rented house; and received all that came unto
him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching them those things which
concern the Lord Jesus, with no man forbidding him. The same God who
quenched the violence of the burning fiery furnace, and shut the lions'
mouth, restrained the power of Nero, and the fury of the Jews.
How divine was that principle which enabled the Apostle to undergo such a
series of cruel mockings and scourgings. Blessed be God! the same faith is
now imparted to every earnest seeker after Christ. We all need it, and we
may all obtain it. "Ho, every one that thirsts, come to the waters, and he
that has no money. Whoever will, let him come, and take of the water of life
freely. Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth. Incline your
ear, and come unto me, hear, and your soul shall live." Such is the freeness
of redeeming love. The poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind, are
invited; while the proud, who make light of these blessings, are sent empty
away.
With these invitations of mercy, the unwearied Apostle went forth into the
highways and hedges, seeking out the lost sinners of mankind, and compelling
them, through the force of Truth and Love, to come to the Gospel-feast. As a
loving heart makes willing feet, so he considered no distance too great, no
road too rough, if only he could be the means of saving sinners from the
wrath to come. He delighted in his work; his whole heart was engaged in it,
and his whole life was devoted to it. But the time now drew near, when this
servant of Christ was to seal the Truth with his blood, and to receive the
crown of martyrdom; a crown, in his estimation, infinitely surpassing in
glory, all the diadems of the world.
From Rome, in what appears to be his last Epistle, Paul feelingly and
triumphantly writes to his beloved Timothy; "Do not be ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner; but be partaker of the
afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God. I am appointed a
preacher, and an Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For which cause I
suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have
committed unto him against that day. Remember, that Jesus Christ, of the
seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, wherein I
suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not
bound; therefore, I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. You have
fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, charity, patience,
persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at
Lystra; what persecutions I endured; but out of them all the Lord delivered
me."
"All they which are in Asia be turned away from me. The Lord give mercy unto
the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of
my chains. When he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found
me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day;
and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, you know very well.
Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world. At my first answer
no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. I pray God, that it may not be
laid to their charge. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and
strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all
the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me
unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen."
How sweet, how serene, how full of hope are his parting, his almost dying
words, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at
hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the
faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me in that day; and not to me
only, but unto all them also that love his appearing"
Thus sank to rest this bright luminary of the Christian Church; but he only
sank beneath the earthly horizon, to rise, with resplendent glory, in the
morning of the resurrection. Like his Divine Master, he was forsaken by his
friends in the bitter hour of persecution; and like him, he prayed that it
might not be laid to their charge. Thus did Stephen, and so will all who
possess the spirit of Jesus, and who feel the influence of that love, which
covers, as with a mantle, a multitude of sins.
As Paul felt the blessedness of the promise, "I will never leave you, nor
forsake you;" so he could boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not
fear what man shall do unto me." He was not afraid to die, for he had a
desire to depart and to be with Christ. His heart was in heaven, because his
treasure was there. When, therefore, the appointed hour arrived which was to
convey his waiting spirit into the presence of his God, he cared not by what
instrument this blessedness was to be attained, whether by the wild beast,
the fire, or the sword; knowing that He, who had never forsaken him, would
carry him in safety over every wave of trouble. O! the blessed triumph of
the cross! Death is the believer's consecrated road to glory; for Jesus has
led the way, he has opened the gate to everlasting life, and ever lives to
guide and guard his people through the darksome valley to his throne above.
Happy then is the true believer. The world may smile, or sneer- he heeds it
not. His eye is fixed upon an endless glory; he sees the King in his beauty,
and the land which is very far off. By faith he brings its glories near. He
already enjoys them by sweet anticipation, and can say, "The Lord is mine,
and I am his." Is this our delightful experience? If so, then death will be
an everlasting gain; we shall hail its approach with gladness, and bless the
hour which brings us into the presence of our God.
"O for a martyr's glowing zeal
He fears no danger, shuns no pain;
He stands opposed to earth and hell,
And tells them all their threats are vain
See where the faithful champion stands!
Undaunted by his numerous foes;
He listens to his Lord's command,
And life itself for Him foregoes.
The kindling flames around him blaze;
His courage stands the awful test;
The dying saint, no fear betrays,
Nor does he ask his foes for rest.
His treasure they can not destroy;
And while they think to cast him down,
They do but hasten on his joy,
And brighten his celestial crown.
Farewell, he cries, to all below;
I mount to yonder blest abode;
To join the saints in heaven I go,
To dwell forever with my God.
How blest are they whose work is done
Who now enjoy the glorious prize;
Be this our care, the race to run,
That we may know, and share their joys."