the acts of the apostles-第70部分
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slaves the wretched victims of caprice and tyranny。 The tendency of the
whole system was hopelessly degrading。
It was not the apostle's work to overturn arbitrarily or suddenly the
established order of society。 To attempt this would be to prevent the
success of the gospel。 But he taught principles which struck at the very
foundation of slavery and which； if carried into effect； would surely
undermine
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the whole system。 〃Where the Spirit of the Lord is； there is liberty；〃 he
declared。 2 Corinthians 3：17。 When converted； the slave became a member of
the body of Christ； and as such was to be loved and treated as a brother； a
fellow heir with his master to the blessings of God and the privileges of
the gospel。 On the other hand； servants were to perform their duties； 〃not
with eyeservice； as men pleasers； but as the servants of Christ； doing the
will of God from the heart。〃 Ephesians 6：6。
Christianity makes a strong bond of union between master and slave； king and
subject； the gospel minister and the degraded sinner who has found in Christ
cleansing from sin。 They have been washed in the same blood； quickened by
the same Spirit； and they are made one in Christ Jesus。
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Chapter 44
Caesar's Household
The gospel has ever achieved its greatest success among the humbler classes。
〃Not many wise men after the flesh； not many mighty； not many noble； are
called。〃 1 Corinthians 1：26。 It could not be expected that Paul； a poor and
friendless prisoner； would be able to gain the attention of the wealthy and
titled classes of Roman citizens。 To them vice presented all its glittering
allurements and held them willing captives。 But from among the toilworn；
want…stricken victims of their oppression； even from among the poor slaves；
many gladly listened to the words of Paul and in the faith of Christ found a
hope and peace that cheered them under the hardships of their lot。
Yet while the apostle's work began with the humble and the lowly； its
influence extended until it reached the very palace of the emperor。
Rome was at this time the metropolis of the world。 The haughty Caesars were
giving laws to nearly every nation
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upon the earth。 King and courtier were either ignorant of the humble
Nazarene or regarded Him with hatred and derision。 And yet in less than two
years the gospel found its way from the prisoner's lowly home into the
imperial halls。 Paul is in bonds as an evildoer； but 〃the word of God is not
bound。〃 2 Timothy 2：9。
In former years the apostle had publicly proclaimed the faith of Christ with
winning power； and by signs and miracles he had given unmistakable evidence
of its divine character。 With noble firmness he had risen up before the
sages of Greece and by his knowledge and eloquence had put to silence the
arguments of proud philosophy。 With undaunted courage he had stood before
kings and governors； and reasoned of righteousness； temperance； and judgment
to come； until the haughty rulers trembled as if already beholding the
terrors of the day of God。
No such opportunities were now granted the apostle； confined as he was to
his own dwelling； and able to proclaim the truth to those only who sought
him there。 He had not； like Moses and Aaron； a divine command to go before
the profligate king and in the name of the great I AM rebuke his cruelty and
oppression。 Yet it was at this very time； when its chief advocate was
apparently cut off from public labor； that a great victory was won for the
gospel； for from the very household of the king； members were added to the
church。
Nowhere could there exist an atmosphere more uncongenial to Christianity
than in the Roman court。 Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the
last trace of the divine； and even of the human； and to bear the impress
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of Satan。 His attendants and courtiers were in general of the same character
as himselffierce； debased； and corrupt。 To all appearance it would be
impossible for Christianity to gain a foothold in the court and palace of
Nero。
Yet in this case； as in so many others； was proved the truth of Paul's
assertion that the weapons of his warfare were 〃mighty through God to the
pulling down of strongholds；〃
2 Corinthians 10：4。 Even in Nero's household；
trophies of the cross were won。 From the vile attendants of a viler king
were gained converts who became sons of God。 These were not Christians
secretly； but openly。 They were not ashamed of their faith。
And by what means was an entrance achieved and a firm footing gained for
Christianity where even its admission seemed impossible？ In his epistle to
the Philippians； Paul ascribed to his own imprisonment his success in
winning converts to the faith from Nero's household。 Fearful lest it might
be thought that his afflictions had impeded the progress of the gospel； he
assured them： 〃I would ye should understand； brethren； that the things which
happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel。〃
Philippians 1：12。
When the Christian churches first learned that Paul was to visit Rome； they
looked forward to a signal triumph of the gospel in that city。 Paul had
borne the truth to many lands； he had proclaimed it in great cities。 Might
not this champion of the faith succeed in winning souls to Christ even in
the metropolis of the world？ But their hopes were crushed by the tidings
that Paul had gone to Rome as a
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prisoner。 They had confidently hoped to see the gospel； once established at
this great center； extend rapidly to all nations and become a prevailing
power in the earth。 How great their disappointment！ Human expectations had
failed； but not the purpose of God。
Not by Paul's sermon's； but by his bonds； was the attention of the court
attracted to Christianity。 It was as a captive that he broke from so many
souls the bonds that held them in the slavery of sin。 Nor was this all。 He
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 s
