Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-12-10

OF the gospel of Christi for it is the
power of God unto salvation. to every
one that believeth Rom. I:l6.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Paul the Helper
JUNIOR ToPIC-Paul in the Worlds
Capital
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
tC-A Prisoner Preaching.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Power of the Gospel.
|. The shipwreck on MeIita tvv.
1-10).
Through the storm they lost their
bearings and when they were safe on
land they learned that the island was
called Melita. Their experiences here
may be noted as follows:
l. The Hospitable Reception of the
Natives ". y.
They built a fire and made the ship
wrecked people as comfortable as pos
sible in the cold and rain.
?. Paul Gathering Sticks for Fire
". 81.
The worlds greatest preacher and
missionary, yet he was not above
picking up sticks for a fire All along
the journey Paul busted himself in
doing all that he could to help some
one Any service rendered in the
right spirit is holy work
3, Paul Bitten by Venomous Ser
pent ". -.
Among the sticks that Paul gathered
was a serpent. Perhaps it had al
ready coiled itself up for its winters
sleep but aroused by the warmth of
the fire, it darted Mt Paul and fixed
its fangs upon his hand. This was
serious thing The natives expected to
see him fall down dead. yet he shook
I it Off, unframed. At first the natives
concluded that he was an escaped
murderer, and that retributive justice
was being meted out to him. When
they saw he was unframed they con
Guided that he was a god, In the pop
, ular mind a man soon passes FROM
murderer to god. or more frequently
the reverse is true.
4. Paul Heals Publlus' Father wv.
7-10).
These people now received some re-
turn for their kindness. When this
man of note was healed, others came
and were healed also.
II. PsuPs Arrival At Rome (vv
11-16)
When Paul reached Rome Christs
charge to the disciples was fulfilled
After three months stay at Melita Paul
departed for Rome in the ship of Alex
andria, whose sign was Castor and
Pollux. At Syracuse they We're de
layed three days, perhaps for favor.
able winds. At Puteoli he found
brethren at whose request he tarried
seven days after which he again set
his face towards Rome At April
forum and at Three Tavers brethren
from Rome met him. From Puteoli
the news went before Of Paul's com
ing, and so interested were the breth-
rem that they came for more than forty
miles to meet him. This greatly en-
couraged him and he gave God thanks.
He greatly craved the fellowship of
other Christians and was much helped
thereby This was the first city in all
his missionary life that thus welcomed
him. 1t was stypical of the welcome
that was given ia the gospel by the
Gentle world. He was treated with
allowed to hire a house and live apart,
except that his guard was constantly
with him Being chained to a soldier
was rather irksome. yet it gave him a
chance to preach to the soldiers, which
he could not have had in any other
way.
III. Paul's Ministry In Rome wv.
17-31).
l. His Conference With the Leading
Jews wv. 17-22).
He did not as usual wait for the
Sabbath day to speak to the Jews He
allowed only one day for rest, his OBJ
ject being to have fair understand
ing with them When they came he
endeavOred to conciliate them. He
told them that though he came as
prisoner, he was not criminal. Though
his own countrymen had sought his
life he did not come with accusations
against them. The result of this in
terview was that the Jews cautiously
took neutral ground, but expressed
desire to hear what Paul could say
in defense of a sect which was every
where spoken against.
2 Paul Expounding the Kingdom of
God and Persuading Concerning Jesus
wv. 23-31).
He pointed out a real kingdom
the Messianic kingdom with the his
toric Jesus as the king. The kingdom
to Paul meant definite reign of def
mite person, not simply an improved
state of society. This he showed from
the Scriptures.