Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 80
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IMPRISONMENT OF PAUL AND SILAS . 73 had beeninstructedin theHolyScripturesfrom hischildhood,and educatedfora strictlyreligious life. He had witnessedthe sufferingsof Paul upon his former visitto Lystra, and the bonds of Christiansympathy had knit hisheartfirmlyto that of the apostle. Paul accordinglythought best to take Timothy with him to assistinhis labors . The extreme caution of Paul is manifested in thisact. He had refusedthecompanionship of Mark ,because he dared not trusthim in an emergency . But in Timothy he saw one who fullyappreciatedthe ministerialwork,who respectedhisposition,and was not appalledat the prospectof sufferingand persecution. Yet he did not ventureto acceptTimothy,an untried youth,without diligentinquirywith regardto his lifeand character. After fullysatisfying himselfon thesepoints,Paul receivedTimothy ashisfellow-laborerand sonin thegospel.Paul, with his usual good judgment,caused Timothy tobecircumcised; notthatGod required it,but in order to remove from the minds of the Jews an obstacletoTimothy'sministration. Paul was to laborfrom placeto placein the synagogues,and theretopreachChrist. If hiscompanion shouldbe known as an uncircumcised heathen,thework ofbothwould be greatlyhinderedby theprejudiceand bigotryofthepeople, The apostleeverywheremet a stormof persecution. He desiredto bring the Jews to Christianity,and sought,asfaraswas consistentwith thefaith,toremove everypretextforopposition. Yet while he conceded this much to Jewish prejudice,hisfaithand teachingsdeclaredthat circumcisionor uncircumcisionwas nothing,but thegospelof Christwas everything.