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The Acts of the Apostles
the facts concerning himself and his work, before his enemies should
have opportunity to embitter them against him. Three days after his
arrival in Rome, therefore, he called together their leading men and in
a simple, direct manner stated why he had come to Rome as a prisoner.
“Men and brethren,” he said, “though I have committed nothing
against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered
prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when
they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no
cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was
constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught to accuse my
nation of. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you,
and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound
with this chain.”
He said nothing of the abuse which he had suffered at the hands
of the Jews, or of their repeated plots to assassinate him. His words
were marked with caution and kindness. He was not seeking to win
personal attention or sympathy, but to defend the truth and to maintain
the honor of the gospel.
[451]
In reply, his hearers stated that they had received no charges against
him by letters public or private, and that none of the Jews who had
come to Rome had accused him of any crime. They also expressed a
strong desire to hear for themselves the reasons of his faith in Christ.
“As concerning this sect,” they said, “we know that everywhere it is
spoken against.”
Since they themselves desired it, Paul bade them set a day when he
could present to them the truths of the gospel. At the time appointed,
many came together, “to whom he expounded and testified the king-
dom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of
Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” He related
his own experience, and presented arguments from the Old Testament
Scriptures with simplicity, sincerity, and power.
The apostle showed that religion does not consist in rites and
ceremonies, creeds and theories. If it did, the natural man could
understand it by investigation, as he understands worldly things. Paul
taught that religion is a practical, saving energy, a principle wholly
from God, a personal experience of God’s renewing power upon the
soul.