Assault on Paul in the Temple Providentially Afforded Him an Opportunity of Defending Himself, and Preaching the Gospel to Persons of the First Distinction

    A careless observer, unacquainted with the ways of God, would have judged the assault on Paul in the Temple, and his consequent imprisonment, to be unfortunate circumstances. Providence, he would think, was against the preacher and his new doctrine. But the truth was far otherwise. These things contributed to aid his cause. The chief captain had taken Paul for a noted disturber of the peace, and the imprisonment of the apostle afforded him an opportunity of setting the officer right on this subject. This was of great advantage. Rulers generally receive most unjust accounts of Christians from those who approach them ; and personal intercourse is necessary to remove prejudice, and vindicate from false aspersions. No two characters could be more unlike than those of the persons who were confounded by the Roman tribune. The Egyptian was a man of blood, and the destruction of civil government: the apostle was a man of peace, and enjoined unlimited submission to the existing powers in all civil things. Such an impression, then, in the minds of those in authority must have been very injurious to the progress of the gospel; and Providence gave Paul this opportunity of removing it.

    The seizure of Paul gave him also several opportunities of preaching the gospel to people of the first distinction in the country; many of whom were not likely in any other way to hear him. He was thereby enabled to defend himself, and, consequently, to commend the gospel before the highest councils of Jews and Gentiles. The Roman tribune gave him liberty to speak for himself; and, in doing so, he exhibits the gospel in the strongest manner. On the next day, Paul had an opportunity, through the command of the chief captain, to speak before the chief priests and all their council. Had he not been a prisoner, speaking in defence of his life, he could not have enjoyed the advantage of speaking to such an assembly. Providence took this way of gathering a congregation of the rulers of the earth to hear the ambassador of the Son of God. If they did not believe him, they shall at last be judged by his word; and the gospel is a sweet savour to God in those who perish by rejecting it, as well as in those who are saved by it.

    Paul had another opportunity of preaching the gospel to the mighty, when he was accused by the orator Tertullus, with the high priest and elders of the Jews, before Felix the governor. Felix himself, in consequence of this, sent for Paul, and, with his wife Drusilla, heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Paul stood again in judgment before the governor Festus, when he was accused by the high priest and the chief of the Jews. Providentially also, Agrippa and Bernice come to Caesarea to salute Festus, and by this means Paul had another hearing before the most august personages, " with the chief captains, and principal men of the city." In this way, the gospel would excite great interest, and be heard by all ranks in the country. Were not such opportunities a rich recompence to Paul for all the hardships of this assault and imprisonment?