the acts of the apostles-第88章
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declared： 〃Many of the brethren in the Lord； waxing confident by my bonds；
are much more bold to speak the word without fear。〃 Philippians 1：14。
Paul's patience and cheerfulness during his long and unjust imprisonment；
his courage and faith； were a continual sermon。 His spirit； so unlike the
spirit of the world； bore witness that a power higher than that of earth was
abiding with him。 And by his example； Christians were impelled to greater
energy as advocates of the cause from the public labors of which Paul had
been withdrawn。 In these ways were the apostle's bonds influential； so that
when his power and usefulness seemed cut off； and to all appearance he could
do the least； then it was that he gathered sheaves for Christ in fields from
which he seemed wholly excluded。
Before the close of that two years' imprisonment； Paul was able to say； 〃My
bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace； and in all other places；〃
and among those who sent greetings to the Philippians he mentions chiefly
them 〃that are of Caesar's household。〃 Verse 13； 4：22。
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Patience as well as courage has its victories。 By meekness under trial； no
less than by boldness in enterprise； souls may be won to Christ。 The
Christian who manifests patience and cheerfulness under bereavement and
suffering； who meets even death itself with the peace and calmness of an
unwavering faith； may accomplish for the gospel more than he could have
effected by a long life of faithful labor。 Often when the servant of God is
withdrawn from active duty； the mysterious providence which our shortsighted
vision would lament is designed by God to accomplish a work that otherwise
would never have been done。
Let not the follower of Christ think； when he is no longer able to labor
openly and actively for God and His truth； that he has no service to render；
no reward to secure。 Christ's true witnesses are never laid aside。 In health
and sickness； in life and death； God uses them still。 When through Satan's
malice the servants of Christ have been persecuted； their active labors
hindered； when they have been cast into prison； or dragged to the scaffold
or to the stake； it was that truth might gain a greater triumph。 As these
faithful ones sealed their testimony with their blood； souls hitherto in
doubt and uncertainty were convinced of the faith of Christ and took their
stand courageously for Him。 From the ashes of the martyrs has sprung an
abundant harvest for God。
The zeal and fidelity of Paul and his fellow workers； no less than the faith
and obedience of these converts to Christianity； under circumstances so
forbidding； rebuke slothfulness and lack of faith in the minister of Christ。
The apostle
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and his associate workers might have argued that it would be vain to call to
repentance and faith in Christ the servants of Nero； subjected； as they
were； to fierce temptations； surrounded by formidable hindrances； and
exposed to bitter opposition。 Even should they be convinced of the truth；
how could they render obedience？ But Paul did not reason thus； in faith he
presented the gospel to these souls； and among those who heard were some who
decided to obey at any cost。 Notwithstanding obstacles and dangers； they
would accept the light； and trust God to help them let their light shine
forth to others。
Not only were converts won to the truth in Caesar's household； but after
their conversion they remained in that household。 They did not feel at
liberty to abandon their post of duty because their surroundings were no
longer congenial。 The truth had found them there； and there they remained；
by their changed life and character testifying to the transforming power of
the new faith。
Are any tempted to make their circumstances an excuse for failing to witness
for Christ？ Let them consider the situation of the disciples in Caesar's
householdthe depravity of the emperor； the profligacy of the court。 We can
hardly imagine circumstances more unfavorable to a religious life； and
entailing greater sacrifice or opposition； than those in which these
converts found themselves。 Yet amidst difficulties and dangers they
maintained their fidelity。 Because of obstacles that seem insurmountable；
the Christian may seek to excuse himself from obeying the truth as it is in
Jesus；
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but he can offer no excuse that will bear investigation。 Could he do this he
would prove God unjust in that He had made for His children conditions of
salvation with which they could not comply。
He whose heart is fixed to serve God will find opportunity to witness for
Him。 Difficulties will be powerless to hinder him who is determined to seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness。 In the strength gained by
prayer and a study of the word； he will seek virtue and forsake vice。
Looking to Jesus； the Author and Finisher of the faith； who endured the
contradiction of sinners against Himself； the believer will willingly brave
contempt and derision。 And help and grace sufficient for every circumstances
are promised by Him whose word is truth。 His everlasting arms encircle the
soul that turns to Him for aid。 In His care we may rest safely； saying；
〃What time I am afraid； I will trust in Thee。〃 Psalm 56：3。 To all who put
their trust in Him； God will fulfill His promise。
By His own example the Saviour has shown that His followers can be in the
world and yet not of the world。 He came not to partake of its delusive
pleasures； to be swayed by its customs； and to follow its practices； but to
do His Father's will； to seek and save the lost。 With this object before him
the Christian may stand uncontaminated in any surroundings。 Whatever his
station or circumstances； exalted or humble； he will manifest the power of
true religion in the faithful performance of duty。
Not in freedom from trial； but in the midst of it； is Christian
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character developed。 Exposure to rebuffs and opposition leads the follower
of Christ to greater watchfulness and more earnest prayer to the mighty
Helper。 Severe trial endured by the grace of God develops patience；
vigilance； fortitude； and a deep and abiding trust in God。 It is the triumph
of the Christian faith that it enables its followers to suffer and be
strong； to submit； and thus to conquer； to be killed all the day long； and
yet to live； to bear the cross； and thus to win the crown of glory。
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Chapter 45
Written From Rome
The apostle Paul early in his Christian experience was given special
opportunities to learn the will of God concerning the followers of Jesus。 He
was 〃caught up to the third heaven；〃 〃into paradise； and heard unspeakable
words； which it is not lawful for a man to utter。〃 He himself acknowledged
that many 〃visions and revelations〃 had been given him 〃of the Lord。〃 His
understanding of the principles of gospel truth was equal to that of 〃the
very chiefest apostles。〃 2 Corinthians 12：2； 4； 1； 11。 He had a clear； full
comprehension of 〃the breadth； and length； and depth； and height〃 of 〃the
love of Christ； which passeth knowledge。〃 Ephesians 3：18； 19。
Paul could not tell all that he had seen in vision； for among his hearers
were some who would have misapplied his words。 But that which was revealed
to him enabled him to labor as a leader and a wise teacher； and also molded
the
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messages that he in later years sent to the churches。 The impression that he
received when in vision was ever with him； enabling him to give a correct
representation of Christian character。 By word of mouth and by letter he
bore a message that ever since has brought help and strength to the church
of God。 To believers today this message speaks plainly of the dangers that
will threaten the church； and the false doctrines that they will have to
meet。
The apostle's desire for those to whom he addressed his letters of counsel
and admonition was that they should 〃be no more children；
