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The Acts of the Apostles
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 asso-
ciated with him felt the influence of his union with Christ. The fact
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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 unan-
swerable, 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 receive his blood; he looks up through the calm
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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