The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-02-07
Lesson for February 10
REPENTANCE AND FAITH

REPENTANCE AND FAITH
LESSON TEXT-Acts 2:32-3s: Luke
l5:11-24.
GOLDEN TEXT-Repent we. and be-
lieve in the gospel.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Boy Who Was
Sorry.
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Boy Who Was
Sorry.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
1C-Turning From Sin to God.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Way to Forgiveness.
I. Jesus Is Lord and Christ (Acts
2:32-36).
In order to induce repentance and
faith, Jesus must be presented as
both Lord and Christ. The presenta-
ton of Jesus as even the unusual son
of Joseph and Mary will not convict
of sin. One reason for the vanishing
sense of sin is the failure of minis
tiers and Sunday School teachers to
declare the LordShip and Messiahship
of Jesus of Nazareth. Peter proved
Jesus to be Lord and Christ by
l. The miracles which He wrought
(Acts 2:22).
He performed before the very eyes
of the people such mighty deeds as
to demonstrate His Lordship.
2. His resurrection from the dead
(Acts 2:24-32).
BY His resurrection He was declared
to be the Son of God with power
(Rom. l ~. His resurrection was at
tested to by many witnesses.
8. The outpouring of the Spirit
(Acts 2:15-2D.
Peter declared that the coming of
the Spirit on Pentecost was the full
f1llment of JOel's prophecy.
II. Repent and Believe the Gospel
(Acts 2:37-39).
Peters gospel message convicted the
Jews of their sins. When they cried
out, he commanded them to repent
and be baptized. The evidence of their
faith in Christ was manifested in their
conviction of sin, and their penitence
was shown in their confession of
christ III DdpllSlu.
III. The Forgiving God duke IS:
11-24.
The center of things in this parable
Is not the prodigal son, nor his broth
er, but the certain man who had
two sons" This narrative is most
picturesque and dramatic portrayal of
ffIe f7sstory of man from his fall to his
reconciliation with God.
/. The sons INSTRUMENTATION ". 12).
He became tired of the restraints
of home His desire for freedom moved
him wilfully to choose to leave home
to throw off the cOnstraint of his ia,
theirs rule. Sin is the desire to in
dulge selfish purposes, free from the
restraint of rightfu authority.
At the request of the son, the ia,
Their divided unto them his living"
Man is a free being. God has commit
ted unto man his own destiny.
2. The sons departure ". 13).
Having made the fateful decision, he
Immediately sought the fultillment of
his cherished purpose The son could
not now endure the presence of his
father, so he gathered all together and
FASTENED away. When the sinner casts
off allegiance to God. he takes all that
he has with him.
8. The sons degeneration (vv. 13,
14).
He had a good time while his money
lasted but the end came quickly.
From plenty in his fathers house to
restitution in a far country was q
short journey.
4. The sons degradation wv. Is, 16).
His money exhausted he was driven
to hire himself to a citizen to feed
swine. 1t is ever so. Those who will
not serve God are made slaves to the
devil to do his bidding Rom 6:16)
In his shame and disgrace he could not
get necessary food.
8. The sons restoration wv. 1920.
ID He came TO himself ". ~. Re,
Election made him conscious that
though he had wronged his father and
ruined himself, he was still his IA
theirs son.
(2) His resolution ". lS).
Memory's picture of his home, where
even the hired servants had super
abundance, moved him to make de-
cision to leave the far country and 60
home.
90 His confession wv. Is, 1917.
He acknowledged that his sin was
against heaven and his father, that
he had forfeited his right to be called
a son, and begged TO be given place
as a hired servant.
az His action ". 2O).
Resolution does not avail unless ac-
companied with action. When the con
fession is genuine, action will follow
90 His reception by his father
wv. 20-24).
So anxious was he for him that he
ran to meet him and fell upon his
NED and kissed him.