Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-09-13
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sll19ldaySchoel
' Lesson
(By REV. p. B. FITZWATEK. d. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
&C. 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 16
LUKE, THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN

i; Acts 16:9-15; Col. 4.14: III Tim. All.
GOLDEN TExT-'A friend loveth ait
all times and brother is born for
adve-sity."-Prov. 17:17.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Luke's Story of
the Great Physician.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Luke. Paurs Friend.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC--How Luke Helped Paul
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Luke's Contribution to Christianity.
/. Luke tho Historian duke Ills;
CT. Acts IL.
Luke was writer Of great distinc-
ton. His style is clear and pic
turesque. The pieces of writing left
us are the Gospel of Luke and the
Acts. According to Acts Il, the Cos
pei was written to set down in order
the things which Jesus began to do
and to teach, and Acts i:3 to show
what the risen and assembled Lord
was continuing to do and to teach.
While here on earth He only began to
do a1d to show certain things, but
from His place of glorious exaltation,
He is continuing His mighty work by
the Holy Spirit through the disciples.
Concerning the contents of the Cos
pei. he asserts first, that the source
of his information was recorded state
ments of eye witnesses. He assures
us that these statements have been
verified by him. Second, that he had
made a systematic statement of these
facts In order to strengthen the faith
of his friend, Theophilus.
u. Luke the Beloved Physician
(Col. AID.
He evidently was skilled physician
as his descriptions Of the diseases
which Jesus cured shows. His de-
scription of the symptoms Of the dis
eases shows his capability. 1t was left
to the physician to portray with vivid
exactness the virgin birth by means
of which the Eternal Son became In
carnate. He was not only skillful but
tenderly sympathetic. This sympathy
is shown in his portrayal of the
Great Physician In His compassion for
the poor, helpless and suffering peo-
pie. What untold good a skillful and
sympathetic Christian physician can
do! No one gets so closely into touch
with human life as doctor.
III. Luke the Companion Of Paul
(Acts is :9-15).
1. Paul's Need of Physician. There
Is clear evidence that Paul had some
physical ailment which made the serv-
ice of skillful physician most desir-
able. When the call came to 60 to
Europe with the gospel, Luke Joined
Paul and became one Of his most help
full companions This is one example
of what faithful Christian physician
can do.
2. Luke's Fidelity. "Only Luke is
with me-" He was no mere far
away friend. He stood by Paul in
storm and calm. Paul was now in the
cold Jail awaiting execution. What q
great comfort 1t must have been to
know that this faithful physician was
with him. He was with him at Philip
pi, Miletus, Jerusalem, Caesarea, be-
fore Felix and Festus, on the voyage
to Rome, with him in the Roman Jail,
through the Roman. trial, and perhaps
q spectator Of his execution. 1t cost
Luke great deal to do this. but he
no doubt considered 1t a labor Of love,
even feeling the call Of God as really
as Paul. Nothing is known Of Luke
after Paul's death. Tradition has some
interesting things to say, but no word
of certainty.