Middletown transcript., 1918-07-06
slsyep UNIFORM
.SOYlZlYS([|'D|j'j||D'L
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 LIFI

A~S>AOAAA~N~s~ e>SsS D'~'
Sill.
PRIMARY roPIC-Loving and trusting
Jesus.-John 1861.
MEMORY vERSE-We love because he
first loved us.-I John 4:19.
I. How Lydia Began the Christian
Life wv. 1915.
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 he 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 all men and women to
place themselves In the way of saliva
ton. While no one can save himself,
vet 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. Ii, 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 OPP
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.
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 "A, 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,
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 :38-41; 8:12; Mark 16:
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 PhiIippian JaiIer Be-
gan the Christian Life wv. 25-34).
1. The occasion wv. 25, 26).
The casting out of the spirit of d.
vination from the damsel 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 and sent an earthquake
which shook the Jail, opened the doors
of the prison, and loosed the bonds
from the prisoners hands.
3. The method wv. 27-34).
Q) Visitation Of the supernatural
wv. 27-29). The jailer was awakened
from his sleep by the earthquake. This
earthquake was unusual in that it
looSed the bonds from the prisoners
hands. In his desperation the jailer
was about to commit suicide. This
was averted by Paul's assurance that
were opened and the prisoners free
and yet no one escaped, showed him
that something unusual had occurred.
Therefore, he came trembling and
Frustrated himself before Paul and
SilaS.
(2) The great question ". 3O). In
the presence of the supernatural he
cried out, what must do to he saw
ed:" Ones salvation is not far off
when he utters this cry with sincerity.
(3) The vital answer wv. 81, :2).
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ"
is the only way to be saved.
(Acts 4:12). Though the way
Of salvation is restricted, it is simple
and easy. No one who has believed
on Christ has failed to receive it. The
jailer's faith was not blind faith, for
they spake unto him the word Of the
Lord, and to all that were in his house.
They were taught the meaning Of be-
lief in Christ.
(4) The evidence Of IL transformed
life wv. :;;;, S4).
(a) He was baptized ". 33). As
soon as one believes on Christ he
wants to be baptized.
% He tenderly washed the stripes
of Paul and Silas, showing that he
was no longer the brutal jailer ". :i4).
(c) He rejoiced ". 34). The one
who really accepts Christ is filed With
JOY.
(d A transformed home ". :4),
He believed ON Christ and was bap.'
tizcti. and his household.
Abundant Crop Of Peare.