Trial at Caesarea
169
The gospel message admits of no neutrality. It counts all men as
decidedly for the truth or against it; if they do not receive and obey
its teachings, they are its enemies. Yet it knows no respect of person,
class, or condition. It is addressed to all mankind who feel their need of
its gracious invitations. Said Christ: “I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance.”
The apostle felt that whoever might listen to his words, the gospel
had a claim upon them; they would either stand among the pure and
holy around the great white throne, or with those to whom Christ
should say: “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” He knew that he
must meet every hearer before the tribunal of Heaven, and must there
render an account, not only for all that he had said and done, but for
[241]
the motive and spirit of his words and deeds.
So violent and cruel had been the course of Felix, that few had ever
before dared even to intimate to him that his character and conduct
were not faultless. But Paul had no such fears. With perfect respect
for the position of his hearers, he plainly declared his faith in Christ,
and the reasons for that faith, and was thus led to speak particularly of
those virtues essential to Christian character, but of which the haughty
pair before him were so strikingly destitute.
He presented before his hearers the character of God—his righ-
teousness, justice, and equity—and the nature and obligation of his
law. He clearly showed man’s duty to live a life of sobriety and temper-
ance, keeping the passions under the control of reason, in conformity
to God’s law, and preserving the physical and mental powers in a
healthful condition. A day of judgment would surely come, when all
would be rewarded according to the deeds done in the body. Wealth,
position, or honorary titles would be powerless to elevate man in the
favor of God, or to ransom him from the slavery of sin. This life was
his period of probation, in which he was to form a character for the
future, immortal life. Should he neglect his present privileges and
opportunities, it would prove an eternal loss; no new probation would
be vouchsafed to him. All who should be found unholy in heart or
defective in any respect when judged by the law of God, would suffer
the punishment of their guilt.
Paul dwelt especially upon the far-reaching claims of God’s law.
He showed how it extends to the deep secrets of man’s moral nature,
and throws a flood of light upon that which has been concealed from
[242]