The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 470
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464 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Eome as a prisoner. They had confidently hoped to see the gospel, once established at this great center, extend rapidly to all nations, and become a prevailing power in the earth. How great their disappointment! Hnman expectations had failed, but not the purpose of God. Not by Paul's sermons, but by his bonds, was the attention of the court attracted to Christianity. It was as a captive that he broke from so many souls the bonds that held them in the slavery of sin. Nor was this all. He declared: "Many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."' Paul's patience and cheerfulness during his long and unjust imprisonment, his courage and faith, were a continual sermon. His spirit, so unlike the spirit of the world, bore witness that a power higher than that of earth was abiding with him. And by his example. Christians were imj)elled to greater energy as advocates of the cause from the public labors of which Paul had been withdrawn. In these ways were the apostle's bonds influential, so that when his power and usefulness seemed cut off, and to all appearance he could do the least, then it was that he gathered sheaves for Christ in fields from which he seemed wholly excluded. Before the close of that two years' imprisonment, Paul was able to say, "My bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;" and among those who sent greetings to the Philippians he mentions chiefly them "that are of Caesar's household. ' ' ' °PhiL 1:14. Phil. 1:13; 4:22.