The Dolores star., 1920-02-06
IMPROVED uNIrs.n INTERNATIONAL
SUNDGSQlOM
LESSON
ny REV. l.. B. FlTZW -ATER. D. D..
Teacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute OF ChicagoJ
copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 8
PETER AT LYDIA AND JoPPA.

| LESSON TEXT-Acts s:32-i3
Eo-DkN TEXT-The prayer of faith
shall save the sick, and the Lord shall
| raise him up.-James 5l5
| ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Luke S:
I1-2G; S:4o-5s
| PRIMARY ToPIC-what a Kind wom-
an Did
JUNIOR ToPIC-What Peter Did at
LYDIA and Joppa
INTERMEDIATE 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
acter'stics 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 its growing lazy. in
Inherent. worldly, and forgetful of
Hou, but in growth in grace and in
the knowledge Of the Lord Jesus.
2. Spiritual Growth and Develop
ment.
The real meaning of the word "edi-
hed' is ''builded up" This does not
mean merely that the members were
being instructed and comfOrted, but
that strenuous efforts on the part of
the individual members, as well as
the body as a whole, were being made
Tor the advancement of the divine life
The word "edify" contains the meta
phor of some grand building or struc-
ture. AS suggested by another. this
metaphor involves ~ foundation.
This is Jesus Christine other dare be
laid q Cor. 3:12-16). (2) A contin-
uouS progress. This means that
Christians activities are purposeful
and that the work he undertakes
moves forward with the proper prog
ress. CD Persistent effort. This
means that the present days work be-
gins the foundation upon which to-
morrows work must be built. Thus
day by day his life is being raised
higher and higher, as each separate
round of material is being laid by
strenuous efforts. (4 A completion.
Finally the work is DONE the build
ing is completed. the top stone is
brought forth and placed.
3. Outward Growth.
Building up within the church
causes the whole work to be admired
and respected by those without, in
| ducinS them to come and Identify
themselves with the cause. There can
be no forward movement without un-
less there be 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 vanqushed, and corpse
| is retenanted by the departed soul.
| The occurrence here of this miracle
is in keeping with the NOV aments Of
| the church at this time. The Lord
had promised these signs as they went
| forth with the gospel message. They
were given as encouragementS to the
! disciples. to convince them that the
gospel did not lose any of its power
by being spread, but rather that its
power increased. As the church goes
everywhere preaching the Word there
will he a corresponding manifestation
of power.
| |. The Healing of EneaS wv. 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
the name of Christ: Jesus Christ
healeth thee" The man who had kept
his bed for eight long years imme-
diately arose and made his bed. When
the Lord heals it is done instantly
Peter wisely kept this miracle from
being the end by making it the means
to the end. That end was the preach
ing of the gospel. This brought most
gratifying results. for "all that dwclt
in LYDIA and Sharon saw him and
turned TO the Lord"
II. The Raising of Dorcas wv. 80
43).
This woman was full of good works
and alms-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 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 in her body.
This again caused them to believe on
| the Lord.