Middletown transcript., 1921-09-03
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 4
FROM PHlLIPPI TO ATHENS.

FROM PHlLIPPl TO ATHENS.
LESSON TEXT-Acts 16:9; 7:16.
GOLDEN TEXT-The angel Of the Lord
encampeth round about them that fear
him, and delivereth them.-Psalm 3I.
REFERENCE WATERFALL and II
Thess.
PRIMARY ToPIC-e9od Takes Care Of
Paul and Silas
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Midnight Experience
in Philippi.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Courage in the Face of Persecution.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Preaching with Prosecutions.
!. Paul and SiIas in Jail wv. 1929.
l. The occasion wv. 1924. When
the demon was cast out of the maid
her supernatural power was gone;
therefore, the source Of revenue was
dried up. This SO exasperated her
owners that they had Paul and Silas
arraigned before the magistrates on
false charge. They charged them with
changing their customs, but nothing
had been said about customs. They
acted the hypocrite, for it was not
customs, but their illicit gains that
were interfered with. Those men
ought to have rejoiced that such q
blessing had come to this poor girl.
They cared more for their gain than
for her welfare. This is true Of the
iniquitous crowding together of the
poor in unsanitary quarters in our ten
ement districts and the neglect Of pre-
cautions for the safety Of employees
in shops and stores. Without any
chance to defend themselves they
were stripped and beaten by the angry
mob and then remanded to Jail, and
were made fast in stocks in the inner
prison.
2. Their behavior in jail ". 25).
They were praying and singing hymns
to God. It seems quite natural that
they should pray under such condi-
tions, but to sing hymns under such
circumstances is astonishing to all who
have not come into possession of the
peace of God through Christ. Even
with their backs lacerated and smart
ing, and feet fast in stocks compelling
the most painful attitude in the dun
geon darkness Of the inner prison,
with a morrow before them filled with
extreme uncertainty, their hearts went
up to God in gratitude.
8. Their deliverance ". 26). The
Lord wrought deliverance by sending
great earthquake which opened the
prison doors and removed the chains
from all hands.
II. The Conversion Of the Jailer
wv. 27-34).
The jailer's sympathy did not 60 out
very far for the prisoners, for after
they were made secure he went to
sleep. The earthquake suddenly
aroused him. He was about to kill
himself, whereupon Paul assured him
that the prisoners were all safe. This
was too much for him. What he had
heard of their preaching and now
what he had experienced caused him
to come as a humble inquirer after
salvation. Paul clearly pointed out
the way to be saved-"Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ" The word ''be-
lieve" means to yield to and fully obey.
The proof that the jailer was saved is
threefold:
1. Transformation from brutality to
tenderness. He who little while ago
could with impunity lay on the cruel
lash is now disposed to wash and mol
lily the wounds.
2. Confession of Christ in baptism.
Those who have really been convicted
of sin and have experienced the saving
grace of God, delight to confess their
faith in Him under whatever circum-
stance they may be.
3. His whole household baptized.
When a mans family are willing to
follow him you may be sure that the
case is genuine.
III. The Magistrates HumbIed wv.
35-4O).
The earthquake brought fear upon
the magistrates. They gave leave for
the prisoners to 60, but now they re-
fuse to go, claiming that their rights
as Roman citizens have been violated,
and demand public vindication. Paul
was willing to suffer for Christ's sake,
but he used the occasion to show them
that prosecuting men who preach the
gospel is an offense against the law
of God and man.
~. Preaching in ThessaIonica wv.
1919.
At Thessalonica he found open
hearts. He followed his usual custom
of going first to the Jew ". ~. After
witnessing to the Jews he went to the
Gentiles. Concerning the Christ he
affirmed:
1. ut behooved Christ to suffer"
". 81. No palmer teaching is to be
found anywhere than the suffering Of
Christ lisa. 533}. 533}
2. The resurrection Of Christ from
the dead ". -.
8. The kingship of Jesus ". y. Just
as It was needful for Paul to 60 into
the synagogue and "open and allege"
that Christ must suffer, so it Is now
needful that someone go into our
churches and Sunday schools and
"open and allege" that by the eternal
Word of God Christ must come and
establish His kingdom.
The result Of this preaching was
that many Greeks, some Jews believed.
v. Preaching In Berea wv. 10-15).
His method here was the same as
at Thessalonica. He entered the Jew.
ish synagogue and preached Jesus unto |
them. The Bereans received the gos-
pei with glad hearts. Two striking
things were said about them: