the acts of the apostles-第77部分
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unfriendliness of the world and the opposition of his enemies。
What the church needs in these days of peril is an army of workers who； like
Paul； have educated themselves for usefulness； who have a deep experience in
the things of God； and who are filled with earnestness and zeal。 Sanctified；
self…sacrificing men are needed； men who will not shun trial and
responsibility； men who are brave and true； men in whose hearts Christ is
formed 〃the hope of glory；〃 and who with lips touched with holy fire will
〃preach the word。〃 For want of such workers the cause of God languishes； and
fatal errors； like a deadly poison； taint the morals and blight the hopes of
a large part of the human race。
As the faithful； toilworn standard…bearers are offering up their lives for
the truth's sake； who will come forward to take their place？ Will our young
men accept the holy trust at the hands of their fathers？ Are they preparing
to fill the vacancies made by the death of the faithful？ Will the
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apostle's charge be heeded； the call to duty be heard； amidst the
incitements to selfishness and ambition that allure the youth？
Paul concluded his letter with personal messages to different ones and again
repeated the urgent request that Timothy come to him soon； if possible
before the winter。 He spoke of his loneliness； caused by the desertion of
some of his friends and the necessary absence of others； and lest Timothy
should hesitate； fearing that the church at Ephesus might need his labors；
Paul stated that he had already dispatched Tychicus to fill the vacancy。
After speaking of the scene of his trial before Nero； the desertion of his
brethren； and the sustaining grace of a covenant…keeping God； Paul closed
his letter by commending his beloved Timothy to the guardianship of the
Chief Shepherd； who； though the undershepherds might be stricken down； would
still care for His flock。
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Chapter 50
Condemned to Die
During Paul's final trial before Nero； the emperor had been so strongly
impressed with the force of the apostle's words that he deferred the
decision of the case； neither acquitting nor condemning the accused servant
of God。 But the emperor's malice against Paul soon returned。 Exasperated by
his inability to check the spread of the Christian religion； even in the
imperial household； he determined that as soon as a plausible pretext could
be found； the apostle should be put to death。 Not long afterward Nero
pronounced the decision that condemned Paul to a martyr's death。 Inasmuch as
a Roman citizen could not be subjected to torture； he was sentenced to be
beheaded。
Paul was taken in a private manner to the place of execution。 Few spectators
were allowed to be present； for his persecutors； alarmed at the extent of
his influence； feared that converts might be won to Christianity by the
scenes of his death。 But even the hardened soldiers who attended him
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listened to his words and with amazement saw him cheerful and even joyous in
the prospect of death。 To some who witnessed his martyrdom； his spirit of
forgiveness toward his murderers and his unwavering confidence in Christ
till the last； proved a savor of life unto life。 More than one accepted the
Saviour whom Paul preached； and erelong fearlessly sealed their faith with
their blood。
Until his latest hour the life of Paul testified to the truth of his words
to the Corinthians： 〃God； who commanded the light to shine out of darkness；
hath shined in our hearts； to give the light of the knowledge of the glory
of God in the face of Jesus Christ。 But we have this treasure in earthen
vessels； that the excellency of the power may be of God； and not of us。 We
are troubled on every side； yet not distressed； we are perplexed； but not in
despair； persecuted； but not forsaken； cast down； but not destroyed； always
bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus； that the life also of
Jesus might be made manifest in our body。〃
2 Corinthians 4：6…10。 His sufficiency was not in himself； but
in the presence and agency of the divine Spirit that filled his soul and
brought every thought into subjection to the will of Christ。 The prophet
declares； 〃Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace； whose mind is stayed on
Thee： because he trusteth in Thee。〃 Isaiah 26：3。 The heaven…born peace
expressed on Paul's countenance won many a soul to the gospel。
Paul carried with him the atmosphere of heaven。 All who associated with him
felt the influence of his union
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with Christ。 The fact that his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed；
gave convincing power to his preaching。 Here lies the power of truth。 The
unstudied； unconscious influence of a holy life is the most convincing
sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity。 Argument； even when
unanswerable； may provoke only opposition； but a godly example has a power
that it is impossible wholly to resist。
The apostle lost sight of his own approaching sufferings in his solicitude
for those whom he was about to leave to cope with prejudice； hatred； and
persecution。 The few Christians who accompanied him to the place of
execution he endeavored to strengthen and encourage by repeating the
promises given for those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake。 He
assured them that nothing would fail of all that the Lord had spoken
concerning His tried and faithful children。 For a little season they might
be in heaviness through manifold temptations； they might be destitute of
earthly comforts； but they could encourage their hearts with the assurance
of God's faithfulness； saying； 〃I know whom I have believed； and am
persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him。〃 2
Timothy 1：12。 Soon the night of trial and suffering would end； and then
would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day。
The apostle was looking into the great beyond； not with uncertainty or
dread； but with joyous hope and longing expectation。 As he stands at the
place of martyrdom he sees not the sword of the executioner or the earth so
soon to
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receive his blood； he looks up through the calm blue heaven of that summer
day to the throne of the Eternal。
This man of faith beholds the ladder of Jacob's vision； representing Christ；
who has connected earth with heaven； and finite man with the infinite God。
His faith is strengthened as he calls to mind how patriarchs and prophets
have relied upon the One who is his support and consolation； and for whom he
is giving his life。 From these holy men who from century to century have
borne testimony for their faith； he hears the assurance that God is true。
His fellow apostles； who； to preach the gospel of Christ； went forth to meet
religious bigotry and heathen superstition； persecution； and contempt； who
counted not their lives dear unto themselves that they might bear aloft the
light of the cross amidst the dark mazes of infidelitythese he hears
witnessing to Jesus as the Son of God； the Saviour of the world。 From the
rack； the stake； the dungeon； from dens and caves of the earth； there falls
upon his ear the martyr's shout of triumph。 He hears the witness of
steadfast souls； who； though destitute； afflicted； tormented； yet bear
fearless； solemn testimony for the faith； declaring； 〃I know whom I have
believed。〃 These； yielding up their lives for the faith； declare to the
world that He in whom they have trusted is able to save to the uttermost。
Ransomed by the sacrifice of Christ； washed from sin in His blood； and
clothed in His righteousness； Paul has the witness in himself that his soul
is precious in the sight of his Redeemer。 His life is hid with Christ in
God； and he is
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persuaded that He who has conquered death is able to keep that which is
committed to His trust。 His mind grasps the Saviour's promise； 〃I will raise
him up at the last day。〃 John 6：40。 His thoughts and hopes are centered on
the second coming of his Lord。 And as the sword of the executioner descends
and the shadows of death gather about the martyr； his latest thought springs
forward； as will his earliest in the great awakening； to meet the
Life…giver； who shall welcome him to the joy of the blest。
Well…nigh a score of centuries have passed since Paul the aged poured out
his blood as a witness for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus
Christ。 No faithful hand recorded for the generations to come the last
scenes in the life of this holy man； but Inspiration has preserved for us
his dying testimony。 Like a trumpet peal his voice has rung out through all
the ages since； nerving with his own courage thousands of witnesses for
Christ and wakening in thousands of sorrow…stricken hearts the echo of his
own triumphant joy： 〃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 me at that
day： and not to me only； but unto all them also that love His appearing。〃
2 Timothy 4：6…8。
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Chapter 51
A Faithful Undershepherd
Little mention is made in the book of Acts of the later work of the apostle
Peter。 During the busy years of ministry that followed the outpouring of the
Spirit on the Day of Pentecost； he was among those who put forth untiring
efforts to reach the Jews who came to Jerusalem to worship at the time of
the annual festivals。
As the number of believers multiplied in Jerusalem and in other places
visited by the messengers of the cross； the talents possessed by Peter
proved of untold value to the early Christian church。 The influence of his
testimony concerning Jesus of Nazareth extended far and wide。 Upon him had
been laid a double responsibility。 He bore positive witness concerning the
Messiah before unbelievers； laboring earne
