Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-02-12
HfPnevED UNReRn INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNSQlOOL
LESSON
(By REV. y. b. FITZWATER. D. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright 1920. Western Newspaper JJnion)
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY is
PETER AND CORNELIUS.


all is rich unto all that call upon him.
| Rom. 1912.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL : Acts Is:
1-35; Gal 2;1-2.
PRIMARY ToPIC-God's Love for Ev-
erybody.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Peter Wins a Roman
Capt. n.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Overcoming of Prejudice
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Significance of the Conversion of Cor
nelius.
The conversion of Cornelius broke
down the middle wall of partition"
between the Jews and Gentiles (Eph.
2:4).
I. Cornelius wv. l, p.
/. His official position ". ~. He
was a Roman officer over company
of 100 soldiers, perhaps of about the
same rank as a captain in the Ameri-
can army.
q His character ". p. Q) A de-
vout, pious man. His heart was filed
with cody fear. (2) He was a pray
ing man. he observed the Jewish hour
of prayer. 90 He was charitable; he
gave much aims. (4) He was respect
ed by his family.
The Lord chose Cornelius for the
| transition of the Gospel to the Gen
| tiles because of his character and po-
sition. No Jew could find any fault
with him. He was a good man, but
not a saved man.
II. The Supernatural Preparation
for the Transition OF. the Gospel to the
GentiIes wv. $3.50.
/ L. Two visions were given. % The
vision of Cornelius wv. 3-S). While
engaged in prayer an angel of God
instructed him to send to Joppa for
Peter, who would tell him what to
do, The angel told him that Peter
lodged with Simon, a tanner to show
Cornelius that Peter was not the
strictest Jew. The calling of Il tan
ner was regarded as unclean by the
/ strict Jews, and the tanners were com
manded to dwell apart. Cornelius sent
at once for Peter. He was living up
to the best light he had, so he received
more. CD The vision of Peter wv.
9-16). This took place while Peter
was praying ". 81. II one would re-
ceive visions from God, let him pray
to God; for the heavens are open to
those who pray. He saw a certain
vessel containing clean and unclean
animals let down from heaven, and
heard the command: Rise, Peter /;
kill, and eat" Peter protested that
he had never eaten any unclean thing
/ God replied: What God hath
cleansed, call not thou common This
vessel let down from heaven and TAX
er back indicated that both jew and
Gentle were accepted on high.
2. Messengers from Cornelius wv.
17-22y.. Peter was greatly perplexed
over what he had seen, but not for
long; for messengers from Cornelius
made inquiry at the gate for him. The
spirit Informed Peter of the matter
and bade him go. nothing doubling.
3. The meeting of Cornelius and Pc
ter wv. 23-33). Q) Peter took six
witnesses along ". 23). He had the
good judgment to know that on q mat
ter of so great Importance he must
have witnesses. This was proved at
the Jerusalem council in the consider
alton of the question of the reception
of the Gentiles into the church I'll Il
1S). CO Cornelius waiting for Peter
4 w. 24). He called together his kns-
men and near friends. Cd Cornelius
about to worship Peter wv 25. 2G).
Peter repudiated this act and protest.
cd that he was but a man. The true
man of God not only dislikes, but re-
fuses to be worshiped. (4l The re-
oiprocal explanation (vv. 27-33). Pc
/ ter explained to him how God had
! taken from him his Jewish prejudice
and asked that Cornelius state the
purpose Of his having sent for him.
Cornelius explained how God had APP
peared unto him and instructed him
to send for Peter.
1 III. Peters Sermon wv. 34-43)
! /. The Introduction wv. 81, 35) He
showed that God is no respecter of
persons. but that in every nation those
who fear God and work righteousness
I are accepted Oh MN.
.. The discourse NV. 36-43). In the
discourse he touches briefly upon the
mission of Jesus, showing that by
means of his baptism and amounting
with the Holy Spirit he was quai-
fed for his work us mediator He
then exhibited the work of Christ ~
in his life wv. 5000. (2) In his death
/ ". 39). CD In his resurrection (vv
40. 41).
". The Holy Spirit Poured Out
wv 44-4S}.
This w;is new Pentecost AS the,
Gospel Was entering upon it's widest
embrace the Spirit came in new power
Power of Faith.
"a.