Middletown transcript., 1916-05-20
LESSON FOR MAY 21
THE CRIPPLE OF LYsTRA.
LESSON TExT-Acts IA.

/ on q map. Let seven pupils attack 10
the map a flag, or banner, to locate
each one. The visit to Iconium oc-
Cured probably in the spring of A. D.
At (Ramsey). Paul and Barnabas had
a great triumph and a severe testing
at Iconium, wrought a great victory of
faith and became popular at LYstra,
only to meet great tribulation. On
their homeward Journey they con-
firmed saints, set up rules and gave
account of their labors to the home
church of Antioch, from which they
had started this first journey.
l. In Iconium wv. ~. This was
a Roman city Of great antiquity and
Importance. The modern city Konia
is an important Mohammedan and
trade center. Tradition says Paul was
imprisoned for being a magician and
teaching a woman named Thekla not
to marry. This woman endured great
hardships and trials for the faith, fin
ally becoming nun at Selencia and
dying at the advanced age Of ninety.
From this tradition we get most Of our
ideas of Paul's appearance-smalI.
bandy-legged, large eyed, shaggy eye
brows, long nose; full of grace with
sometimes the face of a man and at
others of an angel. This is tradition
only, but is probably somewhat near
| the truth. Paul followed his usual
first witnessing in the synagogue, wit
Messing to the entire population, Jew
and Gentle, and dividing them efCc-
lively by his words about Jesus.
u. In Lystra wv. s-21). (D Popu-
larity wv. 8-1S). Their introduction
here would seem propitious, healing
the cripple and at once gaining the
esteem Of the people. Alteration and
gratitude appeal to the human heart.
Underneath the heather idea that the
gods came down to us in the likeness
Of men," is the great and glorious
truth of the incarnation John 1:14;
Phil. 2:6, y. We should hesitate to
! condemn these men of Lystra too Sc
verely, for what American community
is not open to condemnation in this
regard? Too many Christians offer
garlands ". 13) at the feet of the men
whom God has used to work his
! mighty works. It was common COM
plant that in the days of his greatest
victories, men could not find Mr..
Moody when a service was dismissed,
or get into his quarters at the hotels;
he would give no opportunity for self
| glorification. Paul and Barnabas had
hard work to restrain these hero wor-
slippers ". 14), and to convince them
who they were and how they had been
enabled to accomplish such wonder
| full miracle ". 15). Paul was of like
stature" with them and would not &C
rept worship as did the Caesars OF
Herod (12:22, 23). He exhorted the
Lystrians to turn from these vain
things |. e., such idol worship, unto
the living Cod (see also Cor. 8:4;
| Thess. 1:9). Hitherto God had not
| miraculously interfered to turn
men from their evil ways ". 16), but
left them to their own devices to show
| their inability to find their way back
to him (see Acts 1890; Cor. 1:2D.
Yet God is not without witnesses"
| ". I'D. The seasons and the natural
laws point to God. yet men still re-
main blind and ungrateful. Thus by
vehement exhortation they prevented
this act of sacrilege. (2) Persecution
| Tvs. 10, 20). The mob is ever tickle,
| ". 18), but it did not turn them unto
the living God" ". 15). Conversion
is the simple turning from idols II
! Thess. 1-9), a rational thing, but one
contrary to the pride of men who de-
sire to do something" whereby they
may merit or can demand their sal
vation. Even as Paul lad difficulty to
| turn people aside from idols, so today
1t is hard to keep men and women
from idolatry, not the gross or vulgar
! idolatry OF heathenism, but the re-
| fined idols of culture, success, power,
| money and pleasure. To his difficult
| ties Paul had the added persecution Of
the vindictive Iconians and those from
Antioch ". 19). God delivered him
from this trial Il Cor. 1925, 2O. All
! loyal witnesses must expect persecu-
tion from the God-hating world III
Tim. 1912; John 15:1S-2O) Some think
that this was when Paul was caught
up into the third heaven" QI Cor. IL:
2-D. Ris treatment did not stop his
testimony, nor separate him from
| friends Tvs. 20. 21).
III. The Return wv. 22-2s). when
they had preached the gospel to the
city" ". 2D literally having evan
gelized the CITY," they started home
confirming believers and appointing
leaders in each center visited. They
did not take the short cut Of 160 miles
to Paul's home In Tarsus. but they
! visited their new converts.
Symbolically the cripple Of Lystra
is type of sin. (a) helpless. (b) born
in that condition (Psa. 5l:5), (c) had
to be helped from without, by outside
power rom. 5:6); (d) all could see
the change (James 2:18). This mir
acle wrought (a) Praise from the peo-
pie, (b) Protestation on the part OF
Paul and Barnabas, (cj Persecution
from the tickle and disappointed
| priests who melted the people. Per
secution helped the proclamation OF
the gospel. Those who believed
strengthened Paul by sharing his dan
ger ". 2Ol and because of this ex-
perience Paul made many disciples"
". 21 R. W.