Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-08-27
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Silr9ldaySchool
' Lesson '
(By REV p b. FITZwATER. d. D.. Dean
of the Evening School. Moody Bible In
stitute OF CbicaRo.)
&c. 1925. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for August 30
PAUL AND THE PHILIPPIAN
JAiLER
LESSON TExT-Acts 1e:16-4O.


LESSON TEXT-Acts 16:16-40.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved. ".-Acts 1881.
PRIMARY ToPIC-The Story of an
Earthquake.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Conversion of the
Jailer.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Conversion of the Jaiier.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Gospel in Philippi.
|. Paul and sias in Jail (vv. 10
26).
l. The Occasion tvv. 1920.
AS the missionaries went out from
day to day to the place of prayer they
were accosted by young woman pos
sessed ty a spirit of divination. She
was owned by syndicate OF men
who derived large gains from her
soothsaying This act of the woman
became a great annoyance to Paul,
who in the name of Jesus Christ COM
manded the evil spirit to come out.
The evil spirit Immediately obeyed.
When the demon was cast out of the
u.
gone, therefore, the source of revenue
was dried up This was so exasper-
ating to her owners that they had
Paul and Silas arraigned before the
magistrates on the false charge Of
changing their customs This was
playing the hypocrite for 1t was not
custom, but Illicit gains that had been
interfered with. There is always
trouble ahead when you interfere with
wrong business Without any chance
to defend themselves Paul and Silas
were stripped and beaten by the angry
mob and then remanded to Jail, and
were made fast by stocks in the In
ner prison.
2. Their behavior in Jail ". 25).
They were praying and singing
that they should pray under such con-
ditions, but to sing hymns is aston
ishing to all who have not come into
possession of the peace of God through
Christ Even with their backs LAGER
ated and smarting their feet fast in
stocks, compelling most painful po-
sition in the dungeon darkness of that
inner prison, and with the morrow
filled with extreme uncertainty, their
hearts went up to God in gratitude.
3. Their Deliverance w. 26).
The Lord wrought deIiverance by
sending great earthquake which
opened the prison doors and removed
the chains from all hands. The earth
quake was not a mere coincidence, but
a miracle. Earthquakes do not throw
all bolted doors open, and unclasp the
letters from mems hands.
II. The Conversion Of the Jailer
". 27-34).
The jailer's sympathy did not go
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 experienced, caused him to
come as humble inquirer after sal
walton. He was convicted of sin and
felt the need of Saviour Paul
clearly pointed out the way to be
saved Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ" The proof that the jailer was
saved is threefold:
l. Transformation From Brutality
to Tenderness ". 33).
He who a little while ago could with
fmpunity lay on the cruel lashes is
now disposed to wash and molify the
wounds of the prisoners.
2. Confession of Christ in Baptism
w. 80.
Those who have really been convict
ed of sin and have experienced the
saving grace of God delight to confess
their faith in Him under whatever
circumstances.
g. He Set Meat Before Them (v.
34)
A. His Whole Household Baptized
". 33).
III. The Magistrates Humbled wv.
35-40)
/. Orders to Release the Prisoners
(vv 1886.
The earthquake brought fear upon
the magistrates which moved them to
give leave for the prisoners to go.
2 Paul's Refusal to Go ". By.
The ground of his refusal was that
their rights as Roman citizens had
been violated. They demanded pub
lie vindication The magistrates were
guilty Of serious ofense Paul was
willing to suffer for Christ's sake, but
he used the occasion to show them
that prosecuting men who preached
the gospel was an offense against the
law Of Cod and man
Grace and Glory
Grace ara yiory iitYer bui as bud