Evening star., 1925-04-11

Easter calls for the consideration
| Of the resurrection OF Christ. AL
| though this great fact is commemo-
rated IN the observance Of the Lords
Day and is testified to by the exist
| ence of the Church, confirmed by the
New Testament, and exemplified by
the observed ordinances of Christ's 8
followers, the basal fact Of the Chris
tian faith and preaching is gripping
men more and more each year with
the coming of Easter that proclafms 6
to the world the reality of the
| resurrection Our Lords conquest
over the darkness Of the tomb was
the subject OF our consideration a
| few weeks ago, so that in our study
today we will give more considera-
| tion to the regular lesson with its
| message OF the resurrection.
Paul met the difficulties that existed
| in the Corinthian Church over the
problem of the resurrection of be-
lievers by citing the evidence OF
Christs triumph over the grave. He
pointed out that the resurrection Of
Jesus was the basal fact of the Chris
! tian message and the assurance Of
the believers resurrection. The liv-
ing Lord was the heart Of the gos-
pei and this promotes Christian living
and labor Politics, philosophy and
4
corning a future life. The resurrec-
ton of Jesus encourages us with a
desire to serve Him in a victorious
future life. The spirit OF tho living
Christ Is among US and is constantly
working to build even the physical
forces Of this world into a veritable
body Of Christ" We see this in the
relief OF the sick today, just as we
do in the healing of the cripple at tn Q
; beautiful gate, that was conclusive
| evidence to the apostles that their
Lord still lived and through His
spiritual guidance was continuing TO
| carry on through them the mighty
works which have characterized His
ministry. Evidently Luke selected
this important incident from the
many signs and wonders" performed
by the apostles. because II marked
the beginning of persecution by the
authorities of Judaism that ended in
the complete separation OF Chris
tianity from the direction of the Jew
ish Sanhedrin.
| Lame Begzar Cured.
1 While the Old Testament economy
had ceased with the coming of the
Holy Spirit, the disciples of Jesus
continued to attend the Temple al
the hour OF prayer and join with
their countrymen in the worship OF
They continued faithful TO all the
obligations of Jewish worship until
they were denied the fellowship OF
the synagogues and the Temple. IT
this was demonstrated the fact that
the spiritual tie which sometimes ex-
lists between Christians is closer and
desrer than that existing between
brothers after the flesh. 1t was
through fellowship in service tina,
lei snly ~ la
Peter became SO strongly attached
TO the steadfast, silent and medi-
tative John. They completed and
supplemented each other. Peters bolc
eagerEess attracted John. who helped
and toned down Peter by his quiet
lthoughtfulness.
Every house OF worship in the Near
East has an object of human help
lessness seeking aims. There can be
found today upon the steps OF syna-
gogues. mosques and churches the
lame, the halt and the blind, appeal
ing for help, Just as in the days OF
the APOSTLES. The threshold of Gods
meeting places for worship through
out the world is always the center
of charity and community uplift
There was something about the
physical or spiritu& helplessness OF
the lame begsar at the beautiful gate
of the temple that the Holy Spirit
used to attract the attention Of Peter
and John as they were about tc
enter its courts for worship. He was
well known and had probably been
occupying the same position anC
asking aims for years. His friend:
had been placing this helpless begga'
there daily, where his condition
would appeal to the stream of wor-
shippers who passed through tht
: | hTa
; richly overlaid with gold and silver
: plates, into the temple to worship, 81
that his affliction and character were
we'll known by the people.
There was something magnetic
about Peters personality and voice
that encouraged the lame beggar tc
expect something from the two
Istrangers, who had stopped ant
j fastened their eyes upon him. There
was no autosuggestion or hypnotisn
lin Peters method that followed his
Masters healing ministry. While he
may have been disappointed at the
fact that they had no gold or silver
to give unto him, the beggar evi'
, IDENTIFY had faith in the promise OF
the apostles. When he seized Peters
hand there was an unseen hand OF
the living and risen Christ thai
! grasped the hands of the two anc
cured Immediately the lame beggar
when, in obedience to His name anC
in the power OF the Lord, he attempt
ed to rise up and walk. A joyfu
new worshiper entered the temple
with the apostles and the multitude
, who were attracted by the mans
actions and miracle. Peter proclaimed
that the lame beggar had been cured
by the risen Christ.
Risen Christ's Work.
Miracles do not always carry con-
viction as to their source. The peo-
pie by their questions and attitude
of amazement at the wonderful cure
! of the we'll known heggar, who had
been born lame, revealed that thes
did not understand how he had been
made sound and strong In his limbs
His denial of possessing any power
to perform such a cure was more
than "a modest disclaimer" He in
. famed them by His pungent preach
, ing that condemned them for theil
rejection of Jesus, whom He called
Gods Servant" which is a quotation
taken from Isaiah, who called the
, Messiah the Servant of the Lord.
, He pointed out how the nations lead
!, ers had delivered to the Roman
power and denied Him before PLATE
There was nothing of the fear tina
caused Peter to deny His Lord ii