Cleveland County herald., 1920-01-08
APPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNIlHYS0N)OL
 LESSON CBy REV. r. E. F1TZWATER. U. D., Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago) Copyright. 1920, Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JANUARY ii
PETER AND JOHN HEAL A LAME
 MAN.
LESSON TEXT-Acts 3.

LESSON TEXT-Acts 3,
 GOLDEN TEXT-Freely ye have re- ceived, freely give.-Matt. 10:S
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Matt. lO:f, 8; Mark l:29-34; Luke 4:40: John 14.2; Pe- ter All.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-A Lame Man Made Whole.
 JUNIOR TOPIC-Peter and John at the Beautiful Gate.
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP IC-Faith and a Helping Hand. The indications are that some months had elapsed since Pentecost. The believers were being taught by the apostles, who were showing their ere dentials by their mighty works C2:43).
 |. The Lame Man Healed (vv. 1-1l).
 1. The occasion (v. ID. Peter and John were going to the house of wor- ship. They were going up to Jerusa- lem to worship though they knew full well the corruptions of Judaism. What is needed today is not separation from denominational bodies so much as for those who know the Lord and the higher things of the Christian life to help lead those who lack these things into the better way.
 2. The place (v. ?. It was at the beautiful gate which led from the. out This man was placed at the entrance of the place of worship because where man comes closest to God he also comes closest to his fellow man. Human instinct is quick to discern this. Beggars are seldom found at doors of theaters and inidel lecture halls.
 3. The man (vv. 2. 3. This beggar was infirm from his birth.
 4. The method (vv. 4-9). CD Gained the mans attention (v. A. Peter and John commanded him to look on them. Having secured his attention they gave him more than he asked or expected He asked for money and got healing (2) Peter commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth to rise up and walk (v O. This was the very thing he had been unable to do for so many years. Was not this mock ing his very impotency? No! No! It was in the name of Jesus. With the commandment went the ability to do. (3) Peter took him by the right hand (v. D. This act'was meant to give inn petus to his faith. not strength to his ankles. (4.) The mans response (v. s.. Strength came to his feet and ankle bones at once. He stood he walked, he leaped and shouted praise to God. He thoroughly advertised the miracle. He ascribed the honor to God for his healing and walked into the house of God. The one who has experienced the life of Christ will surely make it manifest.
 5. The effect tyv. 9-1D. The people were filled with wonder and amaze ment. The multitude ran together to see this wonderful thing. There was no question as to the genuineness of the miracle, for this man was a fa- miliar figure for many years This miracle may be regarded as a parable setting forth the work of the church in the world. (1.) The helpless beggar had to be carried to the temple gate. Men and women out of Christ are spir- itually helpless; they need to be brought where the life of God can be applied to them. We should bring sin ners to Christ. CD Taking him by the hand shows the manner of the Christians help.
 II. Peter Witnessing of Jesus Christ Before the Multitude (vv. 12-26).
 This miracle focused the attention of the people upon Peter and John. Peter immediately turned their atten- ton from himself to Christ. This is most unlike tie claimants to divine power today. Dsclaiming power of his own. he seized the opportunity to preach Christ to the people who had assembled. He told them it was faith in Jesus Christ, whom the God of their fathers had glOrifed, whom they had deliberately delivered up and denied before Pilate when he desired to set him free. and that they desired a mur- derer to be granted freedom instead He showed that the disciples were also witnesses that God had raised Jesus from the dead, and charged home upon them their awful guilt; for they had denied the holy one and the just, and chosen Barabbas, a murderer, instead of Christ, and killed the Prince of Life. He appealed to them to repent (v. 19), telling them that they had committed this awful crime in ignorance, God would pardon their sin if they would repent. He assured them that Israel would yet enjoy refreshing seasons from the Lord, when God should send Jesus Christ back to earth to consum- mate the work of redemption. He ap. pealed to the Scriptures as the basis of his warnings and promises (vv. 22-26).