Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-07-21


GOLDEN TExr-Thou art the Christ,
the Son OF the living God.-Matt 1915.
REFERENCE Acts u:
2s-1esg3.i..s as@as ls--8 =, ~ ~
PRIMARY, ToPIo-sau Telling Others
About Jesus. ~ 49, - )
JUNIOR ToPIc-saui Winning Others
to Jesus ssIg A@9 fsF .lT@A E s2-es
,INTERMHDIArEA NDH SENIOR TOPIC
Getting Ready for aeNsw, Career. @-.Sss.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Saul Begins His Ministry.
l.,t.f' $780, ~ -te IS 1875
l.. Saul, Presiding christstn Damaa
Gus Wv. 19b-22l,,
After Saul was baptized he remained
certain days with the believers in Da-
mascus ". 19b). How beautiful to
think Of the Transformation which
took place lone who was 80 passion
ately bent on the destruction Of the
disciples was now enjoying fellowship
with them.
l. Straightway preaching in the syn
agogue ", 29.) Saul, like every one
who Is really converted, begins to tell
of the newly found Savior. Every Chris
tian should be taught that it is his
business as soon as saved to help to
save others.
2. The people amazed ". Ply. They
knew that the very one who had been
ringleader in prosecuting the Chris
tians in Jerusalem and had come to
Damascus for the express purpose of
bringing them bound to the chief
priests, was now passionately adyo-
eating that which he has so vehe-
mently sought to destroy.
g. The Jews COMPOUNDED ". 22). Saul
retired into Arabia for three years.
During this time he was taught the
full truth of his mission (Gal. | IT,
49, Saul increased in spiritual
strength and confounded the Jews,
proving that Jesus was not only the
Son of God, but their Messiah His
proof, no doubt, was by citation from
the Old Testament prophecies, show
ing that the life, death and resurrec-
ton of Jesus exactly paralleled them.
That Christ died and rose again from
the dead no one then could deny; the
transformation of Saul from a hater
to an ardent witness was a proof
which could not be gainsaid.
II. Saul Escapes From the Jews
tvv 23-25).
He used the. Scriptures with such
skill that the Jews could not answer
him. Finding that the argument was
against them, the Jews took counsel
how they might destroy Saul. So in
tent were they upon killing him that
they watched the gates Of the city day
and night that they might take him.
When this was known to the disciples
they let him down at night in a baS-
ket by the wall.
III. Saul Visits Jerusalem wv. 26-
goal.
This journey to Jerusalem was In
strange contrast with the one from
Jerusalem to Damascus. The one
was the leader of an important expe-
dition under the authority of the Jew
ish officers with the prospect of
place of distinction in the councils Of
the Jewish nation. Now he is an out
cast, disowned by his countrymen, and
fleeing for his life.
1. Suspected by the disciples
". 26). The believers at Jerusalem
had not heard fully about Sauls con-
version. They knew nothing of his so
journ in Arabia and his preaching at
Damascus after his return, so they re-
garded him as a spy. Part of the
penalty of wrong-doing Is the difficulty
Of restoration in the good opinion OF
honorable men," But it is infinitely
better to be regarded with suspicion
when genuinely true than to be trust
ed as genuine when hypocrite
2. '-Barnabas confidence in Saul
| ". 2O.' He was a man filled with
the Holy Spirit, tActs IL "a; there
fore. able to discern the, reality OF
Saul,s conversion. He was in reality
q "son, OF consolation" and in this
instance showed his kindly spirit
| 8. Saul in fellowship with the dtsci-
pies ". 28). They went in and out
| together. Peter received him into his
home, since his object in going to
Jerusalem was to see Peter (Gal. :18).
He abode with him Is days.
| 4. Saul disputing with the Grecians
| ". 29). He was not content to merely
visit with the brethren; he spoke
boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus
| Christ.
~. Saul Sent to Tarsus wv.
FOB, 3O).
| A conspiracy similar to the one at
Damascus was formed against Saul.
When the brethren knew of it they
sent him to Tarsus. Sauls life is in
danger everywhere except among the
Gentiles. He is now back to the place
Of his birth. The first and best place
for ones testimony is In his home