Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-07-05
IMPROVED UNIForM INTERNATIONAL
SUNDGySQ1OOL
LESSON
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper
Union.)
LESSON FOR JULY 7
BEGINNING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.


GOLDEN TEXT-Whosoever will, let
him take the water of life freely.-Revela-
ton 22:17.
DEVOTIONAL READING-John 15:4-16.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS-Acts 2:37-47; S:26-4O; Romans
Sill.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Loving and trusting
Jesus.-John 1861.
MEMORY VERSE-We love because he
first loved us.-I John 4:19.
!. How Lydia Began the Christian
Life (vv. 13-15).
Lydia was the first convert to
Christ in Europe Hers was typical
conversion. Note the steps therein:
1. Attendance at the place of pray
er ". 13).
The accustomed place here was at
the river side. The accustomed place
today is in church. God can and does
save men and women without any
seeming connection with places of es-
tablished worship, but ne appears to
most people at such places. The very
fact that he has established and sus-
tains churches here and there is an
urgent call to aIl men and women 10
place themselvC; 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. The very fact that
such opportunities are placed before
men and women is a presumptive call
of God.
2. Listening to the preaching of the
Word of God w.. 13, 14).
Paul took advantage of the oppor-
tunity which was given him by the
assemblage of this group of devoted
women to preach Christ to them. He
was alert for and priced highly the op-
portunity to tell the people about
| Christ. He knew also how perilous
it was to neglect to witness for Christ
at time when unsaved people are
together. The opportunity is Gods
call to preach Christ. 1t is a great
thing to have faithful men and wom-
en- who can intelligently minister at
such times.
3. Her heart was opened by 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
6:44, 45). While the salvation of
every one is dependent upon this SOW
ereign act of the Lord, yet we can be
sure that he is willing at all times to
do this for those who, like Lydia
4 place themselves in the way of his
saving grace.
A. She was baptized. ". 15).
This ordinance follows belief in
Christ. The inyariable 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; :12; Mark 16
16). Lydia brought her household t.
Christ. This is as it should be. Sht
showed signs of the new life, in tha
she expressed gratitude toward thos'
who had been instrumental in her con
version w. 15) by constraining then
to share the hospitality of her home
u. How the PhiIippian JaIer Be
gan the Christian Life wv. 25-34).
1. The occasion wv. %, 26).
The casting out of the spirit of di
vination from the damsel landed Pau
and Silas in prison. The pain of bleed
, ing backs, and of feet in stocks, KEEP
. them from sleeping; but not from
praying and singing. The Lord hear
their prayers and sent an earthquak
, which shook the jail, opened the door
t Of the prison, and loosed the bond
: from the prisoners hands.
) 2. The method wv. 27-34).
ID Visitation of the supernatura
wv. 27-29). The jailer was awakene
from his sleep by the earthquake. Thi
earthquake was unusual in that
loosed the bonds from the prisoner!
hands. In his desperation the jaile
was about to commit suicide. Thi
was averted by PauPs assurance tha
all were safe. The fact that the door
were opened and the prisoners fire
and vet no one escaped, showed hiI
:. that something unusual had occurret
: Therefore, he came trembling an
prostrated himself before Paul an
Silas.
. (2) The great question ". 30).
> the presence of the supernatural /
. cried out, what must l do to be sa
ed?" Ones salvation is not far o
when he utters this cry with sincerit
(3) The vital answer wv. 81, 32).
y Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
o is the only way to be saved. "Thel
is none other name under heaven gi
: en- among men, whereby we must
saved" (Acts 4 :12). Though the wf
of salvation is restricted, it is simp
and easy. No one who has believ'
on Christ has failed to receive it. II
jailer's faith was not blind faith, f
they spake unto him the word of Il
Lord, and to all that were in his hous
They were taught the meaning of b
lief in Christ.
(4) The evidence of a transform
life wv. 33, 34).
(a) He was baptized ". 33). .
soon as one believes on Christ
wants to be baptized.
(b) He tenderly washed the strip
Of Paul and Silas, showing that
was no longer the brutal jailer ". 3
(c) He rejoiced ". 34). The o
who really accepts Christ is filled wi
Joy.
(d) A transformed home ". 3
He believed on Christ and was bi
tized. and his household.