THE KING’ S BUSINESS
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Had Saul’s reputation preceded him? 1 Tim. 1:13: Does God choose vessels for His service? John 10:16. When did God choose Saul? Gal. 1:15, 16. For what did He choose him? Rom. 1:5, 13, 15; Acts 22:21. Was he called to suffer for the Gospel’s sake ? 2 Cor. 11:23-27. (4 ) The Calling of Saul, vs. 20*25. How did Saul preach ? Acts 27:28. What did he preach? Rom. 1:16; Gal. 2:20; Gal. 2:7, 8 . What was the effect o f his preaching? Acts 17:3, 4; 28:24. PRACTICAL POINTS (1) The human heart is .capable o f hellish hatred.
(2) Saul sought to silence his' conscience by slaughtering the Christians. (3) One revelation o f the risen Christ rev olutionized Saul’s life. (4) Christ and His church are one. (5) The haughty persecutor became the humble penitent. ( 6 ) Saul laid all his deadly doing down, all down at Jesus’ féet. (7) “Who art thou” and “What wilt thou” are the determining questions o f the soul. ( 8 ) God’s directions are definite:' “ Saul o f Tarsus;” “ Straight street;’’ “ stop ping with Judas.” (9 ) From persecution he turned to prayer. (10) The Jews sent Saul to slay Chris tians ; they now seek to slay. Saul. O --------------
Aeneas and Dorcas APR IL 9, 1916. LESSON II. Acts 9:32-43. (cf. also Proy, 31:10-31; commit vs. 39, 40). G olden T e x t : “ In all things showing thyselLa pattern o f good works.”-—Titus 2 :7.
DA ILY BIBLE READINGS Mon., April 3^-Acts 9:32-43. (The Lesson).
Tuesv April 4—Mark 2:1-12. Wed., April 5—John 5:10-20. Thurs., April 6 —Jas. 2:18-26. Fri., April 7—Titus. 3:1-8. Sat., April 8 —1 Tim. 6 :9-19. Sun., April 9—-John 11:33-45.
EXPOSIT ION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
vs. -32; 33. “And it -came to pass, as Peter passed {went) throughout all quar ters {parts), he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy {for he was palsied).’’ Step by step God was leading Peter on toward the opening o f the door o f the gos pel to the Gentiles, Lydda, Joppa, Caesarea. O f all the inhabitants of Lydda only one citizen is mentioned by name in the Bible, and that is Aeneas. The only great thing about Aeneas apparently was his great need. But there is nothing more likely to
attract God’s notice than need (Luke 1 :53). Apparently Aeneas was not even a disciple when Peter met him. He is spoken of, not as a certain disciple, but “a certain man” (cf. v. 26; ch.~3:2; 10:1; 14:8; 9:10). The case o f Aeneas seemed hopeless. For eight years he had not been off his bed, and was held by a disease that no human physician could cure. v. 34. “And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole {healetk thee): arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately {And straightway he arose). That day had opened to Aeneas as all others had for eight years, but
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