The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-11-09
Lesson for November IL
PAUL IN MACEDONIA

LESSON TEXT-Acts 1875, 1851.
GOLDEN TEXT-And they said, Be-
lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Acts 1881.
PRIMARY ToPIc-A Happy Preach
JUNIOR ToP1c-Ambassado for
the King.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Finding and Following Gods Way.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-The Gospel and World Peace.
I. Forbidden to Preach In Asia wv.
e-s).
The inclination of the missionaries
was to tarry in Asia Minor, preaching
the Word, but they were hurried along,
contrary to this inclination-a fine
example of divine guidance. The Holy
Spirit is just as active and faithful in
closing doors as in opening them. '"The
stops as well as the steps of good
man are ordered of the Lord"
II. The Call to Macedonia wv. 9-12).
The time had now come for the Cos
continent. The crossing Of the gospel
from Asia to Europe determined the
entire history of the church. Instead
Of being an oriental movement, it be-
came mainly occidental.
2. The vision w. 81. Paul being
hemmed in on all sides, experienced
vision of man of Macedonia pleading
for help. This made clear the meaning
of the closed doors about him.
2. The advance wv 10-12). AS soon
as the divine way was known they
moved forward.
III. The First European Convert
wv. 1850.
The Jewish element in Philippi was
SO small that they were unable to af-
ford a synagogue. Therefore, the de-
vout people were accustomed to wor-
ship by the river side. To this humble
gathering Paul came and preached.
Lydia, business woman Of Thyatira,
believed his message and was bap-
tized. The steps in her conversion
were strikingly typical
1. Attendance at the place of wor-
ship ". 13). Usually those whom God
is calling are found in the place Of
prayer.
2. Listening to the preaching of the
Word of God wv. IL, 14). The instru-
ment used in the conversion of sinners
is Gods Word. Faith cometh by
hearing and hearing by the word Of
God" (Rom. 10:1O.
3. Her heart was opened by the
Lord ". 14). When the gospel is
preached the Spirit of God opens the
sinners heart for the reception Of
Christ.
4. She was baptized ". 49,. Comics
sion of Christ in baptism is the nat
ural desire of those whose hearts the
Lord has opened.
8. Hospitality practiced (v.15).
Those who experience Gods saving
grace are disposed to have part in
his work by aiding his ministers.
w. Paul and Silas In a Roman
Prison wv. 16-40).
1. The occasion wv. 1924. AS the
missionaries went to the place Of
PRAYER they were accosted by young
woman who possessed spirit of div
ination. In the name of Jesus Christ,
Paul commanded the evil spirit to
come out of her. With the casting out
Of this evil spirit went the supernat-
ural power which was source of rev.
enue to the syndicate of men who
owned her. This so enraged her own
ers that they brought Paul and Silas
before the magistrates on false
charge. Without opportunity to defend
themselves Paul and Silas were
stripped, beaten by the angry mob, re-
manded to Jail, and were made fast
by stocks In the inner prison.
2. Their behavior in Jail ". 25).
They prayed and sang hymns to God.
In spite of circumstances their hearts
went up to God in joyful gratitude.
3. Their deliverance ". 26). The
Lord wrought deliverance by sending
o great earthquake which opened the
prison doors and removed the chains
from off their hands.
4. The conversion of the jailer (vv.
27-34). What he heard of PauFs
preaching ana through MS present ex-
perience, made the jailer humble in
quirer after salvation. Paul clearly
pointed out the way of salvation.
S. The magistrates humbled wv. 35-
4O).
a. The prisoners ordered released
wv. 80, 36). The earthquake produced
fear in them, moving them to order
the prisoners release.
b. Paul's refusal to go ". -. The
ground of his refusal was that their
rights as Roman citizens had been vio-
lated.
c. Officially brought out of prison
wv. SO, 39). Because these were Ro-
man citizens, the officers removed
them with fear for what they had
done.