The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-07-04
IMPROVED UNIR0RM INTERNATIONAL
LESSON
(By REV. p. B. FITHWATER. D. D.,
Teacher OF English Biblo in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
Copyright, 1918. Western Newspaper
Union.)
LESSON FOR JULY 7
BEGINNING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

nun tuke inc water or lire 1reely.-tteVela-
DEVOTIONAL READING-John 15:4-16.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
TEACHERs-Acts 2:37-47: 8:26-4O: Romans
b:1-11.
PRIMARY TO~PIC-Loving and trusting
Jcsus.-John 1861.
MEMORY VERSE-we love because he
irst loved us.-I John 4:19.
!. How Lydia Began the Christian
Life wv. 1879.
Lydia was the first convert to
Christ in Europe. Hers was n typical
conversion. Note the steps therein
l.. Attendance Mt the place Of pray
er ". 49,.
The accustomed place here was at
the river side. The ccustomed place
today is In church. God can and does
save men and women without any
seeming connection with places Of es-
tablished worship, but he appears to
most people Mt such places. The very
fact that he has established and sus-
tainS churches here and there is an
urgent call to all men and women to
place themselves in the way Of saliva
ton. While no one can save himself,
yet all can put themselves In the way
Of salvation by attending church, read
ing the Bible, etc.
2. Listening to the preaching of the
Word Of God wv. 13, 14).
Paul took advantage Of the oppor-
tunity which IA given him by the
asscmblnge of this group Of devoted
ONE to preach Christ to them. He
was alert for and priced highly the op-
portunity to lei. the people about
Christ. He knew also how pGrilous
1t was to neglect to witness for Christ
at a time when unsnved people are
together. The opportunity Is Gods
call to preach Christ.
3. Her heart was opened b, the
Lord ". 14).
The individual may place himself
In the way of salvation by coming
near to the means Of grace, and the
preacher may preach the Word Of God,
but there is no hope of salvation until
the heart is opened by the Lord (John
G:44, 49,. While the salvation Of
every II is dependent upon this SOW
eretgn act of the Lord, yet we can be
sure that he is willing Mt all times to
wv Ills " ilpSc lO, ike ILNNlu,
place themselves in the way Of his
saving grace.
4. She was baptized. ". 15).
"This ordinance follows belief In
Christ. The invariable rule in the
early church was for believers to be
baptized. While there is no salvation
In the water Of baptism, yet hearty
obedience should be rendered in this
respect (Acts 2:3S-41; SIP; Mark 1G:
16). Lydia brought her household to
Christ. This is as it should be. She
showed signs Of the new life, in that
she expressed gratitude toward those
who had been instrumental. In her con-
version ". 15) by conStraining them
to share the hospitality Of her home.
u. How the Philippian Jailer Be-
gan the Christian Life wv. $3.50.
!. The occasion wv. %, 2G).
The casting out Of the spirit Of a.
vination from the damscl landed Paul
and Silas In prison. The pain Of bleed
ing backs, and OF feet in stocks, kept
them from sleeping; but not from
praying and singing. The Lord heard
their prayers II sent an earthquake
which shook the Jail, opened the doors
of the prison, and lOOSed the bonds
from the prisoners hands.
2. The method wv. 27-34).
G) Visitation Of the supernatural
Wv. 27-29). The jailcr was awakened
from his sleep by The earthquake. This
earthquake a unusual in that 1t
looscd the bonds frcm the prisoners
hands. In his desperation the iailer
was about to commit suicide. This
was avcrtcd by Paul's assurance that
all were safe. The fact that the doors
were opened and the prisoners free
and yet no II escaped, showed him
that something unusual had occurred.
Therefore, he came trembling and
Frustrated himself before Paul and
SilaS
(2) The great question ". 30). In
he presence Of the supernatural he
cried out, "What must l do to be saw
cd"' Ones salvation is not far off
when he uttcrs this cry with sincerity.
CD The vital answer wv. 81, 32).
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ"
is the only way to be saved.
(Acts 1922. Though the way
OF salvation is restricted, it is simple
and easy. No y who has believed
on Christ has failed to receive 1t. The
jailer's faith was not blind faith, for
they spake unto him the word of the
Lord. and to all tlRlt were in his house.
They were taught the meaning Of be-
lief In Christ.
(4) The evidence Of a transformed
life wv. 33, 34).
(a) He was baptized ". 33). AS
soon rs one believes on Christ he
wants to be baptized.
(hl Hn nnlnr NuShnl Tho ctrinnc