The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1920-02-05
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 8
PETER AT LYDIA AND JoPPA.

LESSON TExT-Acts 1928
GOLDEN TExT-The prayer Of faith
shall save the sick. and the Lord shall
raise him up.-James 5:l5
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL - Luke 6:
PRIMARY ToPlC-what Kind wom-
an Did.
JUNIOR ToP1c-what Peter Did at
LYDIA and Joppa.
| INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
lC.The Beauty and Influence OF an I'm
selfish Life.
In order to grasp the significance Of
this lesson, we should recall the con-
dition which prevailed in the church
as suggested In verse 81. Three char
acteristics are outstanding:
| !. Freedom From Persecution.
Saul, the ringleader Of the persecut-
Ing forces. had just recently been con-
verted. thereby disorganizing their
forces, allowing the church to enjoy a
breathing spell. This period Of rest
| did not result in it's growing lazy, in
different, worldly, and forgetful OF
God. but I'm growth In grace and in
the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
| 2. Spiritual Growth and Develop
| ment.
The real meaning of the word "edi-
| fed is "builded up" This does not
mean merely that the members were
| being instructed and comforted but
that strenuous efforts on the purt OF
| the Individual members, as well as
| the body as WHOLE were being made
for the advancement Of the divine life.
The word "edify" contains the meta
ph"r Of some grand building or struc-
| ture. AS suggested by another. this
metaphor Involves (1) q foundation.
This Is Jesus Christine other dare be
! laid q Cor. 3:12-16). (2) A contin-
uous progress. This means that a
Christians activities are purposcful
and that the work he undertakes
moves forward with the proper prog
ress. 3) Persistent effort. This
means that the present days work be-
gins the foundation upon which to-
morrow's work must be built Thus
! day by day his life Is being raised
higher and higher, us each sepnra .
round of material is being laid by
strenuous efforts. (D A completion.
! Finally the work Is done. the build
Ing Is completed, the top stone Is
brought forth and placed,
8. Outward Growth.
Building up within the church
causes the whole work to be admired
and respected by those without, In
ducing them to come and Identify
themselves with the cause. There can
! be no forward movement without un-
! less there he corresponding move
| ment within.
Our lesson today Is the record OF
two stupendOus miracles. They are
the greatest signs wrought since the
day OF Christ. The dreadful malady
of palsy is vanquished, and corpse
is re enanted by the departed soul
The occurrence here of this miracle
! Is In keeping with the movements OF
! the church at this time. The Lord
had promised these signs as they went
/ forth with the gospel message. They
I were given rs encOuragements to the
disciples, TO convince them that the
! gospel did not lose any of Its power
I by being spread, but rather that it's
power increased. AS the church goes
everywhere preaching the Word there
will be corresponding manifestation
OF power.
I. The Healing Of Eneas (vv. 32-35).
This mans needy condition appealed
to Peter, just as men today should ap-
peal to us in their semi-dead state.
Like his Master. Peter could not re.
fuse the needed help. In this he did
not direct attention to himself, but
confidently appealed to the power In
! the name Of Christ: "Jesus Christ
healeth thee" The man who had Kept
his bed for eight long years i,nme
diately arose and made his bed. When
the Lord heals 1t Is done instantly.
Peter wisely kept this miracle from
being the end by making 1t the means
to the end. That end was the prea cN
ing of the gospel. This brought most
gratifying results, for "all that dwelt
in LYDIA and Sharon saw him and
turned 30 the Lord"
III. The Raising OF D0rcas wv. 80
43).
This woman was full Of good works
and aims deeds which she did. not
talked Of doing. She was a practical
| Christian woman of the kind that gets
down to the practical way Of showing
her love by doing deeds OF helpful
ness. Her death was a real loss, as
was evidenced by the mourning Of
those who had been helped When
this good woman fell sick and died
the disciples sent for Peter. Peter
put them all forth. At his command
her soul came back to live I'm her body
This again caused them to believe on
| the Lord.