Cilicia, to the year 56, when he arrived for the last time at Jerusalem. Of these the busiest had been the last nine, since he and Barnabas set out (in 47) on the first missionary journey from Antioch to Cyprus. What a wonderful nine years these had been! Through what dangers had Paul passed, what sufferings, discouragements, difficulties! Yet he triumphed over all, and accomplished so much, as a simple, loyal, devoted soldier of Christ. He was "ready," as he said, "not to be bound only, but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus," if that was God's will. He had been "ready" all along to do whatever came next in his life of service. Such unconquerable faith and loyalty and obedience were the secret of Paul's immense and successful work.

STUDY TOPICS

1. On a sketch or outline map show Paul's course from Ephesus to Corinth, then to Jerusalem, as described in this chapter. How were his plans altered at Corinth?

2. Describe the "collection for the poor saints" and show how it proves Paul's greatness and generosity of spirit. What does the word "saints" mean in such a connection?

3. Read the following passages in the Epistle to the Romans, and note their main subjects in your notebook: 1:1-17; 3: 1−3; 5: 1-11; 6: 12-14; 7: 7 to 8: 18; 10: 1-3; 15: 14-33.

4. Read the little epistle to the church in Ephesus appended to the Epistle to the Romans (Romans 16). How many friends does he mention in his greetings? Does this indicate in any way the size of the church at that time?

5. What were the main points of Paul's charge to the elders of Ephesus?

6. Review the events of Paul's life during his nine years of intense missionary activity. Study the chronological chart and go over your maps of his journeys. 7. Paul's "collection" was intended, partly, to allay the suspicion of his opponents in Jerusalem. That was a novel way to meet underhandedness! Does it ever work? Have you seen anyone try conquering suspicion by generosity? Name a few instances where it might at least be tried. Then ask yourself if you would care to try it!

CHAPTER XXI

PAUL'S ARREST

ARRIVED in Jerusalem, Paul went at once to "the brethren," who, so Luke writes in the book of Acts, "received us gladly." The following day Paul and his companions presented themselves to James (who was head of the church in Jerusalem) and all the elders, who were present, apparently, to welcome Paul. After saluting them in the formal manner of the Jews and early Christians, he went over one by one the full details of his work in Asia Minor and Greece, "the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry." When they heard the wonderful stories he told, of the conversion of men like Timothy and Gaius and Aristarchus and Luke, of Apollos and the twelve men at Ephesus, of the burning of the books of magic, of riots and persecutions, of his shipwreck and beatings and stonings, of the triumphant progress of the gospel in spite of all hindrances and opposition, of the manifest guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the visions of Jesus which he had seen-Jesus still the leader and helper of his followers-they marveled and "glorified God." It was truly a wonderful story, when they first heard it from the lips of Paul himself, even as it is to-day when we read it in the book of Acts.

AN ATTEMPT AT CONCILIATION

Then in turn the apostles and elders related to Paul the growth of the church in Jerusalem and Palestine, "how many thousands there are among the Jews who

have believed." They were all, even as Christians, still just as zealous in keeping the Law of Moses as were their non-Christian Jewish neighbors. And they had heard of Paul, for his fame had spread throughout the whole Jewish world; but they were distressed when informed that he taught the Jews of the Dispersion to give up the Law, to ignore its rites and neglect its customs. This of course was untrue. What Paul actually did teach was that Gentiles might become Christians without taking upon them the burden of the Law. To orthodox Jews, on the other hand, this meant that Gentiles were being admitted to all the privileges of the Jewish religion without having to accept any of its obligations, such as circumcision, sacrifices, the tithes, the annual Temple-tax, and the pilgrimages to the Temple. And so in their jealousy, and aroused by a vague and exaggerated rumor, they spread the report that Paul was teaching Jews to forsake the Law. This report, reaching Jerusalem, greatly pained the Christian Jews; for it seemed to justify the complaint of their orthodox neighbors, that the followers of Jesus were lax in observing the duties of the old religion.

The four men under vows.-"So," said the elders, "they will certainly hear that you are in Jerusalem. Now, do as we tell you, in order to disarm suspicion and prove that the rumors are unfounded. There are four men here, disciples, who have been keeping a vow, and, according to the custom, not cutting their hair while the vow lasted. The vow is fulfilled, and they must cut their hair and offer the sacrifices for purification in the Temple. But they are very poor, and cannot afford the cost of their offerings. You yourself have just fulfilled a vow (see Acts 18: 18), but have not yet offered your sacrifice. Take these men with you, go to the Temple,

pay for them as well as yourself, accomplish your purification, and thus prove these rumors false. You will show beyond doubt that you yourself walk orderly, keeping the Law and aiding others in keeping it."

In the Temple.—Now, it is true Paul's main concern was the freedom of the gospel (from the burden of the Old-Testament Law) among Gentiles. With the Christians among the Jews he was not so much concernedout in the Dispersion they were not able to observe its requirements punctually, anyway, on account of their distance from Jerusalem. He had stated his principle in the letter to the Galatians: "Neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but a new life" (Galatians 6:15). But he was intensely anxious that the church, both Jewish and Gentile, should remain united and not split up into warring factions. This was one of his purposes in taking up the collection of money for the poor members of the Jerusalem church. And so in order to keep the peace, and to overcome the prejudices of the brethren in Jerusalem, he agreed to the plan and went next day to the Temple. The rites of purification were performed, and the offering was presented for each one in the group, Paul and the four poor Jewish brethren.

The riot. Each day for seven days Paul was to go to the Temple before his purification was complete. One day toward the end of the week, as he was in the outer court, some Jews from Asia who had seen him preaching in Ephesus-and had perhaps shared in the riot started by Demetrius-recognized him and shouted out: "Men of Israel, help! This is the one who teaches all men everywhere to hate us and our religion and Temple. Here he is! And he has brought heathen Greeks inside the inner court, thus defiling it!" For there was an