Evening star., 1918-07-06
BEGINNING THE CHRISTIAN
LIFE.
John, 1861; Acts 16.13-34.
Golden text: Whosoever will,
let him take the water of life
freely.-Revelation 22.17.
By Rev. Hugh T, Stevenson.

let him take the water OF lie (
freely.-Revelation 22.17.
By Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.
A departure in the methods of the
Sunday school lessons has been intro
duced by the international Sunday
school lesson committee with this les
son. which opens a series Of topical
biblical studies upon the Christian
life. The committee aims by the in
troducton Of short courses Of a help
full and intense interesting subject
at stated intervals to help the Sunday
school scholars secure a familiar
knowledge of the whole range of the
Bible, so that they may have a broad
grasp Of it's teachings and see the
added beauty of any passage assigned
for study by it's relation to the other
important biblical teachings upon the
subject. 1t seeks to introduce the Case
system. which has been used by the
leading law schools in studying law.
as helpful method Of Bible study. 1t
seeks to have the student study the
Bible to learn what it teaches rather
tHdh " So 10 lHc " ootdiiA
proof texts to support some peculiar
doctrinal view.
The beginning Of the Christian life
has been described by the New Testa-
ment writer's by various expressive met
aphors. 1t Is set forth as a begetting
by God q Peter. 1.2s: John, 70; new
birth (John. 3.3; James, 1.18); new
creation (Gal. 6.15); a resurrection
tEph.. I'D: a putting on of the new man
(CoL. 3.10): a renewal In the spirit Of
the wind (Eph., 4.2O transformation by
the renewing Of the mind Rom., 1928
pressions. Much misconception con-
cerning the beginning of the Chris
tian life has resulted from unduly
pressing some Of these figures of
speech into a definition of the spirit
ual process. which marks the COM
Jesus in his interview with Nico-
Gemus recognized the difficulty of
men comprehending the mystery Of
the miracle Of the beginning of di-
vine grace. The poverty Of human
New Testament to use physical terms
In their efforts to describe a spiritual
experience. Birth is the most promi-
nent used. The commencement OF the
Christian life is frequently called re-
same as being communicated from
God to man. 1t Is also spoken OF
as conversion, which describes the
human side Of Its beginning. that
starts with mans turning from sin
to God to secure the divine life. A
versions of the New Testament VIII
reveal that no two are alike and that
God adjusts His methods Of impart-
ing the new life to the personality
Of each individual soul. Common ele.
ments will be found in all spiritual
oYnariancoq
Christianity developed from and per-
fected q movement that preceded the
ministry of Jesus. 1t was the testi-
mony of the unselfish and loyal John
the Baptist. whose pungent preaching
had impressed the religious. political
and social life of the nation, that di-
rected the attention of joan and An
drew to the Master. John had created
the atmosphere Of expectancy, the
psychological situation needed to
make Christ's career effective, and his
testimony to Jesus as the Messiah
marked the opening of the Lords ca
reer as a public taacher.
The conversion of the first two dis
ciples Of John was due to the vision Of
the personality Of Jesus, that came to
them after they had deserted John to
seek the Christ. The Masters con-
versation filled them with faith in Him
as the Lamb of God. the Savior of men.
that caused them to desert the world
and follow Jesus. They gave evidence
Of their new life by Immediately seek
ing to bring their brothers to Jesus.
Andrews personal testimony brought
ing of his experience brought his
brother, James. to the Lord. 1t did
not take the brothers long after they
met the Lord to become followers of
Jesus. although the Master indicated
to Simon. by the new name He gave
him NJ pntar that for h i'm, IN a
Christian meant an immediate change
in his life and aims and a gradual
change in character. The changed life
was seen in their desire for the con-
version Of the friends.
Philip may have been Influenced BY
the testimony of the action of his
friends. James ard John. Andrew and
Peter. He responded to the call of
Christ to follow Him. The appeal
that never fails to win men who have
learned Of Christ's character through
the testimony Of others is the one
He meets them alone for the first
time. Philip revealed the same i'm
pulse that the other Ave had ex-
hibited in his efforts to win Nathaniel
to come and make a personal investi-
cation for himself. The deep convic-
full Nathaniel to investigate the
claims Of Jesus. with the Inevitable
result that through faith he became
q beginner Of the Christian life.
Civilization entered Europe with
the arrival Of Paul, who had re-
sponded to the call of the man of
Macedonia to come over and help.
The ono who had heard Stephens
confession had received his faith by a
vision Of Christ and had demon
strated his life in Christ by his mis-
sionary activities was the first
preacher to reach Europe with the
message that was to change the
character OF mon and Of nations. His
first convert was a woman from Asia
Minor, who was engaged in business
in Phillip. Lydia was an influential
woman Of wealth who had remained
loyal to the Jewish faith in the
Grecian city. She. with other wor-
shippers of Jehovah. had assembled
at their small meeting place for
prayer. To that humble group Paul
first converts by the acceptance OF
Lydia and her household Of Jesus as