The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-04-14

LESSON TEXT: Acts 0:10b-3O; HE, 70.
GOLDEN TEXT: am not ashamed OF
the gospel: for 1t Is the power OF God unto
salvation to every one that believeth.-
Romans 1:18.
"a changed man"-that oft-used
expression assumes real meaning as
it is applied to one who has expert
enced the redeeming grace OF God
in Christ. In special way this was
true Of Paul, whose transformed life
amazed those who knew him before
he had met Christ on the Damascus
road.
In our lesson we find him in three
different cities, serving his new
found Master and Lord.
I. At Conf0unding the
Jews (9:19-25).
"Straightway." What good word
to apply to the servant of the Lord.
Paul did not hesitate to declare his
faith in Christ, to proclaim that the
One who had redeemed him was
able also to save others.
It is the normal and proper ex-
preston of Christian faith to give
testimony to others. That should be
true Of every believer. With Pau
there was the added element OF his
call to preach, for God had ordained
that he should be His chosen vessel
for that purpose (Acts 9:15).
One is impressed by the prompt
and unquestioning obedience OF so
many of Christ's followers of whom
we read In the New Testament. No
doubt that explains their power and
wide usefulness. We could learn OF
them.
Paul's message was Christ. He
proved to the Jews that Jesus was
the Christ ". 22), the One of whom
their Old Testament Scriptures
spake and for whom they protested
to be looking. He declared Him to
be the Son of God ". 20).
They were unwilling to accept the
message: They were "amazed" at
Paul and COMPOUNDED" by the truth
he proclaimed, but they rejected
both it and him, and he had to es-
cape for his life. But another city
must hear his witness, so we find
HIM
III. At Jerusalem-Disputing With
the Grecians (9:26-30).
Knowing his violent persecution OF
the church, the disciples in Jerusa-
lem were suspicious. Perhaps there
was a measure of justification for
such an attitude, but one is glad that
there was present the generous,
open-hearted Barnabas, ready to be-
lieve in his new brother in Christ
and to sponsor him in the church.
A word of admonition to the
church of our day is necessary, re-
garding the making of a new con-
vert or a stranger at home in the
fellowship of the saints. There is
no need of putting such a one quick
ly into Office or a place OF honor,
but let him know that he is accept
ed and believed in, and thus give
him an opportunity to grow.
Paul remained in Jerusalem this
time for two weeks (Gal. 1919, go
ing in and out, that is, in friendly fell
lowship. That is just what the young
Christian needs, and should seek.
He also had something to make
right. He had joined the Grecian
Jews when they disputed with
Stephen (6:9) and stoned him. Paul
had agreed with and joined them on
that occasion. Now by the miracle
of regeneration he is new creature
and is on the exactly opposite side.
Now he disputes with the Grecians,
declaring that Jesus is the Christ.
What a blessed changed
They refused to tolerate that word,
and prepared to kill him. But the
servant of the Lord was kept by
Him, and delivered through the good
offices of Christian brethren. How
often it is true that the minister
must look to the brethren for that
kindness which delivers him from
distress and danger.
Paul returned for a time to his
home city of Tarsus, but when a
need of his services arose he was
called out, and we find him
III. At Antioch = Teaching the
Christians (11:25, 26).
Persecution spread the believers
abroad (Acts 11:19), and like the
scattered brands of beaten fire
they carried the flame of Christian
ity far and wide. Thus the gospel
came to Antioch, the third greatest
city in the world of that day. A re-
vival broke out, and Barnabas was
sent from Jerusalem to be OF help.
Good and spiritual man that he
was (Acts 1928, 24), Barnabas did
nothing to hinder this work of God,
but admonished the people to
"cleave unto the Lord" that is, to
follow Him closely. Would that all
spiritual advisers had such spirit
and such sound judgment.
He wag also wise in sensing his
need of help. So he went after
Paul, the very man to teach these
young Christians, and to lead them
out into a radiant and abundant
life for The Lord.
Here it was that the beautiful
name of christian" was first APP
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