the acts of the apostles-第65部分
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in their course。 Relying on the power of God to save； and refusing to
recognize the doctrines of the apostate teachers； the apostle endeavored to
lead the converts to see that they had been grossly deceived； but that by
returning to their former faith in the gospel they might yet defeat the
purpose of Satan。 He took his position firmly on the side of truth and
righteousness； and his supreme faith and confidence in the message he bore；
helped many whose faith had failed； to return to their allegiance to the
Saviour。
How different from Paul's manner of writing to the Corinthian church was the
course he pursued toward the Galatians！ The former he rebuked with caution
and tenderness； the latter with words of unsparing reproof。 The Corinthians
had been overcome by temptation。 Deceived by the ingenious sophistry of
teachers who presented errors under the guise of truth； they had become
confused and bewildered。 To teach them to distinguish the false from the
true； called for caution and patience。 Harshness or injudicious haste on
Paul's part would have destroyed his influence over many of those whom he
longed to help。
In the Galatian churches； open； unmasked error was supplanting the gospel
message。 Christ； the true foundation of the faith； was virtually renounced
for the obsolete ceremonies of Judaism。 The apostle saw that if the
believers in Galatia were saved from the dangerous influences which
threatened them； the most decisive measures must be taken； the sharpest
warnings given。
An important lesson for every minister of Christ to learn
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is that of adapting his labors to the condition of those whom he seeks to
benefit。 Tenderness； patience； decision； and firmness are alike needful； but
these are to be exercised with proper discrimination。 To deal wisely with
different classes of minds； under varied circumstances and conditions； is a
work requiring wisdom and judgment enlightened and sanctified by the Spirit
of God。
In his letter to the Galatian believers Paul briefly reviewed the leading
incidents connected with his own conversion and early Christian experience。
By this means he sought to show that it was through a special manifestation
of divine power that he had been led to see and grasp the great truths of
the gospel。 It was through instruction received from God Himself that Paul
was led to warn and admonish the Galatians in so solemn and positive a
manner。 He wrote； not in hesitancy and doubt； but with the assurance of
settled conviction and absolute knowledge。 He clearly outlined the
difference between being taught by man and receiving instruction direct from
Christ。
The apostle urged the Galatians to leave the false guides by whom they had
been misled； and to return to the faith that had been accompanied by
unmistakable evidences of divine approval。 The men who had attempted to lead
them from their belief in the gospel were hypocrites； unholy in heart and
corrupt in life。 Their religion was made up of a round of ceremonies；
through the performance of which they expected to gain the favor of God。
They had no desire for a gospel that called for obedience to the word；
〃Except a
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man be born again； he cannot see the kingdom of God。〃 John 3：3。 They felt
that a religion based on such a doctrine； required too great a sacrifice；
and they clung to their errors； deceiving themselves and others。
To substitute external forms of religion for holiness of heart and life is
still as pleasing to the unrenewed nature as it was in the days of these
Jewish teachers。 Today； as then； there are false spiritual guides； to whose
doctrines many listen eagerly。 It is Satan's studied effort to divert minds
from the hope of salvation through faith in Christ and obedience to the law
of God。 In every age the archenemy adapts his temptations to the prejudices
or inclinations of those whom he is seeking to deceive。 In apostolic times
he led the Jews to exalt the ceremonial law and reject Christ； at the
present time he induces many professing Christians； under pretense of
honoring Christ； to cast contempt on the moral law and to teach that its
precepts may be transgressed with impunity。 It is the duty of every servant
of God to withstand firmly and decidedly these perverters of the faith and
by the word of truth fearlessly to expose their errors。
In his effort to regain the confidence of his brethren in Galatia； Paul ably
vindicated his position as an apostle of Christ。 He declared himself to be
an apostle； 〃not of men； neither by man； but by Jesus Christ； and God the
Father； who raised Him from the dead。〃 Not from men； but from the highest
Authority in heaven； had he received his commission。 And his position had
been acknowledged by a general council at Jerusalem； with the decisions of
which Paul had complied in all his labors among the Gentiles。
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It was not to exalt self； but to magnify the grace of God； that Paul thus
presented to those who were denying his apostleship； proof that he was 〃not
a whit behind the very chiefest apostles。〃 2 Corinthians 11：5。 Those who
sought to belittle his calling and his work were fighting against Christ；
whose grace and power were manifested through Paul。 The apostle was forced；
by the opposition of his enemies； to take a decided stand in maintaining his
position and authority。
Paul pleaded with those who had once known in their lives the power of God；
to return to their first love of gospel truth。 With unanswerable arguments
he set before them their privilege of becoming free men and women in Christ；
through whose atoning grace all who make full surrender are clothed with the
robe of His righteousness。 He took the position that every soul who would be
saved must have a genuine； personal experience in the things of God。
The apostle's earnest words of entreaty were not fruitless。 The Holy Spirit
wrought with mighty power； and many whose feet had wandered into strange
paths； returned to their former faith in the gospel。 Henceforth they were
steadfast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free。 In their lives
were revealed the fruits of the Spirit〃love； joy； peace； long…suffering；
gentleness； goodness； faith； meekness； temperance。〃 The name of God was
glorified； and many were added to the number of believers throughout that
region。
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Chapter 37
Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
Paul greatly desired to reach Jerusalem before the Passover as he would thus
have an opportunity to meet those who should come from all parts of the
world to attend the feast。 Ever he cherished the hope that in some way he
might be instrumental in removing the prejudice of his unbelieving
countrymen； so that they might be led to accept the precious light of the
gospel。 He also desired to meet the church at Jerusalem and bear to them the
gifts sent by the Gentile churches to the poor brethren in Judea。 And by
this visit he hoped to bring about a firmer union between the Jewish and the
Gentile converts to the faith。
Having completed his work at Corinth； he determined to sail directly for one
of the ports on the coast of Palestine。 All the arrangements had been made；
and he was about to step on board the ship； when he was told of a plot laid
by the Jews to take his life。 In the past these opposers of the
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faith had been foiled in all their efforts to put an end to the apostle's
work。
The success attending the preaching of the gospel aroused the anger of the
Jews anew。 From every quarter were coming accounts of the spread of the new
doctrine by which Jews were released from the observance of the rites of the
ceremonial law and Gentiles were admitted to equal privileges with the Jews
as children of Abraham。 Paul； in his preaching at Corinth； presented the
same arguments which he urged so forcibly in his epistles。 His emphatic
statement； 〃There is neither Greek nor Jew； circumcision nor uncircumcision〃
（Colossians 3：11）； was regarded by his enemies as daring blasphemy； and they
determined that his voice should be silenced。
Upon receiving warning of the plot； Paul decided to go around by way of
Macedonia。 His plan to reach Jerusalem in time for the Passover services had
to be given up； but he hoped to be there at Pentecost。
Accompanying Paul and Luke were 〃Sopater of Berea； and of the Thessalonians；
Aristarchus and Secundus； and Gaius of Derbe； and Timotheus； and of Asia；
Tychicus and Trophimus。〃 Paul had with him a large sum of money from the
Gentile churches； which he purposed to place in the hands of the brethren in
charge of the work in Judea； and because of this he made arrangements for
these representative brethren from various contributing churches； to
accompany him to Jerusalem。
At Philippi Paul tarried to keep the Passover。 Only Luke remained with him；
the other members of the company
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passing o
