Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-02-06
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUNI(zYS0|OQL
LESSON
by REV. p. b. FlTHWATER, D. D..
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute Of ChicAgOl
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 8
PETER AT LYDIA AND JoPPA.

GOLDEN TEXT-The prayer OF faith
snaii save tho sick, and the Lord shall
eaise him up, james sis
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Luke 5:
| lI-96, S.40-56
PRIMARY ToPlC-What Kind Won
An Did.
JUNIOR ToPlC-What Peter Did at
LYDIA ana 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-
dltion which prevailed in the church
us 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.
Nef'ed' thereby dsorganizing their
forces, allowing the church TO enjoy Il
breathing spell. This period of rest
d'd not result in its growing lazy, in.
Inherent, worldly, and forgetfuI of
God, but In growth In grace ana in
The knowledge of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
2. Spiritual Growth and Develop.
ment.
Inc real meaning of the word "edi-
ned is "bullded up This does not
mean merely that the members were
belhg instructed and comforted but
lhat strenuous efforts on The part of
the individual members, us well as
the body ms a whole, were being made
for the advancement of the divine life.
Inc word "edlfy" contains the meta
phor OF some grand building or struc-
lure AS suggested by another. this
metaphor involves % a foundation.
rms IS Jesus Christine other dare be
laid Il Cor, 3:l2-lG). (2) A contin.
uous progress This means That a
CHRISTIANS activities are purposeful
ana that the work he undertakes
moves forward with the proper prog
ress. (3) Persistent effort This
means That the present days work be- I
gins the foundation upon which to-
morrow's 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. ID 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.
ducing them TO come and identify
themselves with the cause. There can
be no forward movement without I'M
less there be corresponding move
nent within.
Our lesson today is the record of
TWO stupendous miracles. They are
he greatest signs wrought since the
lay of Christ. The dreadful malady
If palsy is vanquished, and n corpse
s retenanted by the departed soul.
The occurrence here of this miracle
$ In keeping with the movements Of
he church at this time. The Lord
lad promised these signs as they went
'orth with the gospel message. They
we're given as encouragement to the
lisclples 10 convince them that the
gospel did not lose any of its power
" being spread, but rather that its
'ower increased, As the church goes
preaching the Word there
vii be a corresponding manifestation
# power.
|. The Healing of Eneas wv. 3o-35).
This mans needy condition appealed
o Peer, just as men today should ap-
zeal TO us in their semi-dead state.
ike his Master, Peter could not re-
use the needed help. In this he did
OF direct attention to himself, but ,
appealed to the power In
he name Of Christ: "Jesus Christ !
ealeth thee" The man who had kent
is bed for eight long years imme. |
lately arose and made his bed When
ne Lord heals II is done instantly.
eter wisely kept this miracle from |
eing the end by making ii the means
the end. That end was the preach $
lg of the gospel. This brought most
ratfying results for "all that dwelt
| LYDIA and Sharon saw him and
lrned TO the Lord"
II, The Raising of Dorcas wv. &c. :
y. =
This woman was full Of good works Il
nd alms-deeds which she did not :
liked of doing. She was a practical .
hristian woman of the kind that gets <
)wn TO the practical way of showing Z
'r love by doing deeds of helpful >
ass. Her death was a real loss. ms Il
as evidenced by. the mourning of a
ose who had been helped. When i,
lis good woman fell sick and died il
e disciples sent for Peter. Peter il
It them all forth. At his command a
II soul came back to live In her body :,
his again caused them to believe on
e Lord.