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 on to Troas to await him there。 The Philippians were the most loving
and truehearted of the apostle's converts； and during the eight days of the
feast he enjoyed peaceful and happy communion with them。
Sailing from Philippi； Paul and Luke reached their companions at Troas five
days later； and remained for seven days with the believers in that place。
Upon the last evening of his stay the brethren 〃came together to break
bread。〃 The fact that their beloved teacher was about to depart； had called
together a larger company than usual。 They assembled in an 〃upper chamber〃
on the third story。 There； in the fervency of his love and solicitude for
them； the apostle preached until midnight。
In one of the open windows sat a youth named Eutychus。 In this perilous
position he went to sleep and fell to the court below。 At once all was alarm
and confusion。 The youth was taken up dead； and many gathered about him with
cries and mourning。 But Paul； passing through the frightened company；
embraced him and offered up an earnest prayer that God would restore the
dead to life。 His petition was granted。 Above the sound of mourning and
lamentation the apostle's voice was heard； saying； 〃Trouble not yourselves；
for his life is in him。〃 With rejoicing the believers again assembled in the
upper chamber。 They partook of the Communion； and then Paul 〃talked a long
while； even till break of day。〃
The ship on which Paul and his companions were to continue their journey；
was about to sail； and the brethren hastened on board。 The apostle himself；
however； chose to take the nearer route by land between Troas and Assos；
meeting
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his companions at the latter city。 This gave him a short season for
meditation and prayer。 The difficulties and dangers connected with his
coming visit to Jerusalem； the attitude of the church there toward him and
his work； as well as the condition of the churches and the interests of the
gospel work in other fields； were subjects of earnest； anxious thought； and
he took advantage of this special opportunity to seek God for strength and
guidance。
As the travelers sailed southward from Assos； they passed the city of
Ephesus； so long the scene of the apostle's labors。 Paul had greatly desired
to visit the church there； for he had important instruction and counsel to
give them。 But upon consideration he determined to hasten on； for he
desired； 〃if it were possible for him； to be at Jerusalem the Day of
Pentecost。〃 On arriving at Miletus； however； about thirty miles from
Ephesus； he learned that it might be possible to communicate with the church
before the ship should sail。 He therefore immediately sent a message to the
elders； urging them to hasten to Miletus； that he might see them before
continuing his journey。
In answer to his call they came； and he spoke to them strong； touching words
of admonition and farewell。 〃Ye know；〃 he said； 〃from the first day that I
came into Asia； after what manner I have been with you at all seasons；
serving the Lord with all humility of mind； and with many tears； and
temptations； which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews： and how I
kept back nothing that was profitable unto you； but have showed you； and
have taught you publicly； and from house to house； testifying both to
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the Jews； and also to the Greeks； repentance toward God； and faith toward
our Lord Jesus Christ。〃
Paul had ever exalted the divine law。 He had shown that in the law there is
no power to save men from the penalty of disobedience。 Wrongdoers must
repent of their sins and humble themselves before God； whose just wrath they
have incurred by breaking His law； and they must also exercise faith in the
blood of Christ as their only means of pardon。 The Son of God had died as
their sacrifice and had ascended to heaven to stand before the Father as
their advocate。 By repentance and faith they might be freed from the
condemnation of sin and through the grace of Christ be enabled henceforth to
render obedience to the low of God。
〃And now； behold；〃 Paul continued； 〃I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem；
not knowing the things that shall befall me there： save that the Holy Ghost
witnesseth in every city； saying that bonds and afflictions abide me。 But
none of these things move me； neither count I my life dear unto myself； so
that I might finish my course with joy； and the ministry； which I have
received of the Lord Jesus； to testify the gospel of the grace of God。 And
now； behold； I know that ye all； among whom I have gone preaching the
kingdom of God； shall see my face no more。〃
Paul had no designed to bear this testimony； but； while he was speaking； the
Spirit of Inspiration came upon him； confirming his fears that this would be
his last meeting with his Ephesian brethren。
〃Wherefore I take you to record this day； that I am pure from the blood of
all men。 For I have not shunned to declare
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unto you all the counsel of God。〃 No fear of giving offense； no desire for
frien