New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-09-02
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
.SundaySchool.
" Lesson
(By REV p. Il. FITZWATER, l. y.
Teacher of English Bible in the MOODY
Bible Institute of ChicagoD
(9, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER
FROM PHILIPPl TO ATHENS.

and Silas.
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Midnight Experience
In Philippi.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Courage in the Face of Persecution.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Preaching wiki Prosecutions.
!. Paul and SiIas in Jail wv. 1926.
l. The occasion wv. 1920.
the demon was cast out of the maid
her supernatural power was gone;
therefore, the source of eyenue was
dried up. This so exasperated her
owners that they had Paul and Slias
arraigned before the magistrates on a
charge. They charged them with
changing their customs, but nothing
had been said about customs. Ihey
acted the hypOcrite, for 1t was not
customs, but their Illicit gains that
were interfered with. Those men
ought to have rejoiced that such a
blessing had come to this poor eiri.
They cared more for their gain than
for her welfare. This is true OF the
Ubiquitous crowding together or II
poor in unsanitary quarters in u 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, II
were made fast in stocks in the inner
prison.
2. Their behavior In Jail ". 2o).
They were praying and singing hymns
to God. 1t seems quite natural maj
they should pray under such condl'
tons, but TO sing hymns d such
circumstances is astonishing to all VINO
have not come into possession or the
peace of God through Christ. Even
with their backs lacerated M smart
ing, and feet fast in stocks compelling
the most painful attitude in the uuh-
geOn darkness of the prison,
with n morrow before them filled win
extreme uncertainty, their hearts went
up to God in gratitude.
3. Their d|eliverance ". 26). The
Lord wrought ~deliverance by ending
IA great earthquake which opened the
prison doors and removed the chains
from all hands,
u. The Conversion Of the Jailer
wv. 27-}4).
The ~jailer's sympathy did not so out
very far for the prisoners, for after
they were made secure he went TO
.l,, nh. Aar hnnaEa Sln1nnlN
aroused him. He Vas about to Kill
himself, w~hereupon 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 ms n 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 "a
tenderness. lie who "A little while age
could with IMMUNITY lay on the crueI
lash is now disposed to wash and mol
lily the wounds.
.. Confession of Christ In baptism
Those who have really been convicted
of sin and have experienced the saving
grace of God. delight to confess theiI
faith in Him under whatever circum'
stance they may be.
3. His whole household baptized
When n mans family are willing tt
follow him you may be sure that the
case is genuine.
~. The Magistrates Humbled wv
35-40).
The earthquake brought fear upon
the magistrates. They gave leave fol
the prisoners to 60, but now they re
fuse to go. claiming that their rights
as Roman citizens have been violated
and demand a public vindication. Pau
WIS willing to suffer for Christ's sake
but he used the occasion TO show then
that prosecuting men who preach IN,
gospel is an offense against the Law
of God aud man.
~. Preaching in ThessaIonics wv
17-l9.
At Thessalonica he found oper
hearts. He followed his usual custom
| of going first to the Jew ". ~. AfteI
| witnessing to the Jews he went to th'
C;entiles. Concerning the Christ h.
affirmed:
I. 1T behooved Christ 10 suffer
- 80 n ,l.FA.r sUnaIfrrr 10 20 A..
found anywhere than the suffering o
Christ lisa 53).
.. The resurrection of Christ fror
the dead ". -.
;. The kingship Of Jesus ". %. Jus
as II was needful for Paul To go int
the and "open and allege'
that Christ must suffer. 80 il is nov
needful that 20 into GU
churches and Sunday schools an
aopen and allcge- that by the eterna
Word Of God Christ must come am
establish His kingdom
The result of this preaching wa
that many Greeks. some Jews believed
v. Preaching in 6erea tvv. 1913.
His method here was the same a
at Tbessalonica. He entered the Jew
ish synagogue and preached Jesus unit
them. The Bereans received the Cos
pel with glad hearts. Two strikin
things were said about them:
!. They received the message gladly
2. They searched the Scriptures dali
for the truthfulness Of their preach
ing. All noble minds have u) n
openness to receive the truth; CD
balanced b~eSitancy; CD a sui jectio