The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1923-08-30
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 2
PAUL. THE APOSTLE


of God in Christ Jesus, Phil. 3:14.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Roma
1911; 15:15-21; III Cor. HIP.
PRIMARY TOPIC-How Paul Be-
came q Christian.
II JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul tine Mission-
airy.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Paul the Dauntless.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Paurs Contribution to Christianity.
| Paul's name stands second to none
in the annals Of history. The story Of
his life is of perennial interest.
!. His Birth. w. 3 cf Phil 3:1D.
he was born In Tarsus of pure He
brew stock. He could with legitimate
pride boast of godly ancestry. 1t Is
highly important that each generation
should 80 live that no handicaps be
placed upon their children.
II. His Home Training. (3:5).
His parents were piOus people and
carefully reared him according to jew
ish standards Most religious leaders
spring out OF such homes; for example,
Moses, Samuel, Timothy. Stern prin-
| ciples Of integrity were inculcated In
| him thus giving him strength OF char
acter to impress the world He was
| strongly attached to the peculiaritles
of the Jewish religion. The heroes
which nodded his life were such men
as Joseph, Moses, David, Isaiah instead
| Of Achilles, Hercules and Ulysses.
! III. His Education. (Acts 2:3).
His Patriotism. He was brought
up to love his nation. He proudly at
firmed, II am a Jew" Paul was a
nationalist of the true type. Children
should be taught to love their nation.
PA Love for the Bible The Scrip
| lures were to him the very Word OF
| God What was found written therein
was the final word for Him. Loss OF
| love for the Bible and implicit faith
therein is tragedy.
! 3-Zealous for God. acts % :3).
The word Jealous literally means ito
boil" Zeal without knowledge is bet
ter than no zeal at all
demonstrations. His supreme aim
! was to possess a conscience vOid VI
! Offense. Conformity to the dictates OF
conscience is demanded. 1t is the law
Of life for every man that because OF
| the blight of sin the conscience needs
to be taught by Gods Word.
5-He Had Trade. Every Jewish
bow. regardless of his fathers wealth.
was taught a trade. 1t was saying
among them that, "He who failed to
teach his son trade, taught him to
steal" This would be 4 good plan in
our modern days.
~. His Conversion. (Acts p :61O.
lon the Way to Damascus. ". 81.
! He was the enemy of Christ and was
!! on his way to Damascus authorized to
bring bound such Christians as might
be found to Jerusalem to be punished.
While on this journey he had time for
reflection and conscience began to
work.
PA Light from Heaven. Nv. 6-9).
AS this light burned through the sky
over him, he fell to the ground humil-
lated. Accompanying the light was .
voice saying. saul, why persecutest
thou neY Upon inquiry a. to whs
was speaking, the Lord declared that
II was Jesus Of Nazareth whom he was
prosecuting.
3-An Honest Inquiry. ". 1O). He
was willing to DO what the Lord wilied.
SO he was instructed to go to Damascus
where fuller light would be given.
v. His Gstimats 81 Christ. tPhiL.
s:7-9).
When he came to know Christ. he
counted all but loss in comparison with
Him. He saw Christ ~ the supplier OF
Righteousness. He who has Christ and
His righteousness has everything worth
while.
vi. His Transesndent Aim. (Phil.
3 :1OA14).
His aim was to know the power
If Christs resurrection, even that he
might be made cOnformable to his
death and have fellowship in His suf-
| ferings.
2-He desired to attain unto tho
resurrection OF the dead. This refers
| to the nrst resurrection in which the
believers shall come forth from among
the wicked dead.
3-He pressed toward the mark. He
| did not count that he had yet attained.
He deprecated his present attain
ments, perceived the dignity OF his
calling and pressed forward with all
his strength in order that he might win
| the prize The conditions which de-
! termine growth are first, decided dis
satisfaction with present attachments;
second perception Of the height OF
| truth and third, a resolute determine
| ton to attain at whatever cost.
| Humanity.
Humanity Is indeed a happy lot.