Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-02-05
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNS0HOOL
LESSON
eBy REV. p. b. FITzwA TER. ID. D..
Teacher OF English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago.l
tcopyrtght, 1870 Western Newspaper rnionb
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 8
PETER AT LYDIA AND JoPpA.

LESSON TEXT-Acts a.s2-ss
GOLDEN TENT-The prayer of faith
shall save the sick and the Lord shan
raise him up. james 5:l5.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL = Luke ;;
1926; s:4o-5s.
PRIMARY ToPlC-what q Kind wom-
an Did
JUNIOR ToPIc-what Peter Did al
LYDIA and Joppa
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
| lC-The Reauty 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:
l. Freedom From Persecution.
Saul, he ringleader Of the persecut-
Ing forces, had just recently been CON
serled, thereby disorganizng their
forces, allowing the church to enjoy q
breathing spell This period of rest
did not result in Its growing lazy, In
different. worldly, and forgetfu Of
God, 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-
fed is 'builded up" This does not
mean merely that the members We're
being instructed and c0mforted. but
that strenuous efforts on the part OF
the individual members, as well as
the body as Il whole, were being made
for the advancement OF the divine life.
4 The word "edify" contains the meta
phor of some grand building or struc-
ture. AS suggested by another this
! metaphor Involves "a foundation.
] This is Jesus Christine other dare be
laid q Cor. 3:12-16). (2) A contin-
! nous progress. This means that a
Christians activities are purposeful
and that the work he undertakes
moves forward with the proper prog
ress. (3) Persistent effort THIS
means that the present days work oe-
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. (4) 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 I'M
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 maady
of palsy is vanqushed and a corpse
is retenanted by the departed 81 IL
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
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 be a corresponding manifestation
of power.
l. 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 die
not direct attention to himself, bu
4 confidently appealed to the power il
the name of Christ: "Jesus Chris
healeth thee" The man who had KEEP
his bed for eight long years imme
diately arose and made his bed. Wher
the Lord heals ii is done instantly
Peter wisely kept this miracle from
being the erd by making it the means
TO the end That end was the preach
ing of the gospel. This brought mos
gratifying results, for "all that dwell
in LYDIA and Sharon saw him ant
turned to the Lord"
III. The Raising of Dorcas wv. 26
43).
This woman was full Of good work
and alms-deeds which she did, no
talked OF dong. She was practica
Christian woman of the kind that get
down to the practical way of showini
her love by doing deeds Of helpful
ness. Her death was real loss. a
was evidenced by the mourning 0
those who had been helped Whel
this good woman fell sick and die
the disciples sent for Peter. Pete
put them all forth. At his comman
her soul came back to live in her body
This again caused them to believe o.