Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-09-21
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDNSQ1OOL
LESSON
By q o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
the Sunday School Course of the Moody
Bible Institute, Chicago.)
Copyright, 1916. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER II
PRISONER IN THE CASTLE.


Roman citizenship I'll :27-22 :29).
Every true life, real social service, pa
triotism and national righteousness
rest upon the value of conversion to
Christ. The fundamental message of
the Christian church must always be
regeneration. With this message Billy
Sunday is gripping the large cities,
and DR.. John r. Mott is reaching the !
student life of the world.
|. PauI's Account of His Early Life
". 1-5). BY his use of the Greek tongue
he obtained permission to deliver this
address, and by his wise use Of the
Jewish language he gained the atten-
ton of the excited crowd. Paul as
serted his Jewish origin. (Acts 21-39).
Tarsus, where he was born. had uni-
versity which rivaled those of Athens
and Alexandria, and Paul had probably
heard it's great philosophers. Paul was
an educated man. he was brought up
In Jerusalem from his early boyhOod
at the feet of Gamaliel its greatest
teacher. Thus his religious training
was according to the law Of the fa-
ness which Is Of the law" he was
blameless (Phil, 3:6). He was Jealous
for God, doing what he thought he
would have him do even when "perse-
cuted this way" the way of forgive
ness, salvation and righteousness.
Jesus said. II am the way" Paul was
at this time an instrument In the hands
of the rulers, carrying out their plans,
but he exceeded them in his zeal for
"the traditions of our fathers (Gal.
1 :14). He was not at all like those
Pharisees whom Christ condemned as
"white sepulchers." He was not what
we would term today, "a bad man."
II. PauI's Turning Point Wv. CPD.
Paul seems to pick out three different
crises in this rehearsal. a. His inter
view with Christ, when he saw Jesus
as he really was in his glory, living
risen Savior (Cor. 81; 1879. He had
positive proof of the resurrection from
the dead. This proof convicted him
of sin. He had heard Jesus call. He
had asked Jesus what he would have
him to do. He was ready to obey, and
something was given him to do. The
light which he met on that journey ar
rested him In his mad course. The
voice gave him his directions. In obedi-
ence to the command, "Arise and co."
he gained knowledge and skill. (2) He
lights upon his interview with Ananias
(v. 14) where he received personal help
from an experienced Christian. In the
darkness and conflict of those three
days of loneliness the questions must
have been Gould he leave rank, honor,
friends? Could he enter the service OF
the despised one and ssuffer reproach,
danger and death? During this con-
fiict he must have had before him the
vision Of what God would have him do.
and the work for which he chose him
wv. 1913. His vision land commission
constituted a strong motive for right
decision. During the vision he came
into the light, and confessed his faith
by his baptism. AS atresult Of those
three days and his interview with
Ananias he came to know Gods will
more fully. The next step was OF
course (3) his public avowal (See Acts
2 :3S; Heb. %; Rom. 10 :13; Cor.
GID. The purpose of Paul's whole
life and mission was changed.
I'll. Paui's Dangerous Position wv.
20-30). The mob gave him audience
until his words about the Gentiles. His
declaration that God had commanded
him to go upon a mission to the Gen.
tiles was an offense to the Jews, and
mis- words fell like spark upon an
inf1ammable mass of fanaticism." They
broke out into frenzy Of excitement,
and made preparations to stone him.
An Oriental mob is hideous beyond de-
gree, bowling, yelling, cursing, gnash.
ing their teeth, finging their arms,
casting off their garments ". 23),
throwing dust into the air to relieve
their excitement and to express their
execration. 1t was manifestation Of
their uncomfortable rage. The opposi-
ton of mob is no proof that the
person it curses Is wrong.
Immediately preparations stopped.
The commander was called, and, learn.
ing that Paul was a.free-born Roman
citizen, he had cause to be afraid that
he had gone too far.
To assert Roman citizenship falsely
was punishable with death.
The chief captain told Paul that
with a great sum he had obtained his
Roman. citizenship, but Paul's reply
was, "But !. am Roman born"
I. Paul was well cared for after this,
and, in order to find out whv tha lows
were SO opposed to him, the captain
summoned the Sanhedrin to meet the
following day. thus unconsciously Civ.
ing. Paul another opportunity to pro-
claim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul indeed was ready. to be bound,
and also to die at Jerusalem for the
name of, the Lord Jesus.
He knew how his Lord had been
bound tJohn IS :12), and he rejoiced In
the fellowship Of his sufferings (Phil
3:10) yet he claims his right as citi-
zen for there Ia no need of ynorh,dYx.