Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-07-13
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The First Christian Church-Acts 3;sT-<
July II. 1899.

GOLDEN TExr.-The Lord added to the church
daily such rs should be saved--Acts e:47.
TIME-Sunday May %. A D. % Tho fcas,
Of Pcntccost. whitsunday. Tho Same day Is
| tho last lesson. but continuing into tho days fol
i lowing.
Professionalism. in tho vicinity of tho up
| per room where the disciples met
RULERs-Tiocrius Cesar. emperor OF Rome
| %; Pontius PLATE. governor OF Judca (5);
Hcrod Antipas. Of Gaiiiee (3D: Caiaphas. high
| priest (6).
CIRCUNsrAScEs.-Itw was the birthday of the
Christian church Tho risen Lord had ascend.
| ed TO Heaven The promise OF the Father had
| been fulfilled by the wonderful outpouring OF
the Holy Spirit upon the one hundred and TWEEN.
| ~ disciples assembled OF Jerusalem, manifest
| cd by n sound as of tho rushing of n strong
| wind. by tongues OF nre. and by tho inspiration
| OF the disciples to speak In various languages
| All this took place before nino o'clock In tho
morning over. l5).
| LESSON HELPs
| 81. Now when they heard this"
| Which Peter had been saying. .They
were priclSed:" Pierced as sharp instru-
ment, causing sharp and sudden pain.
In their hearts," Their conscience
and moral nature. 'And said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles"
The meeting now evidently broke up
| into fragments, personal conversation
with inquirers following the public
| sermon. Men and brethrcn:" This
friendly, courteous address showed how
| already the peoples hearts were
moved. what shall we do?" Con-
WINGED that the nation had put it's Mes
siah TO death, the people were over
whelmed with both sorrow and per-
plexity.
80. For the promise:" OF the Holy
Spirit, and of salvation, contained in
Joel, and quoted in verses 1921. Unto
you, and to your children:" He speci-
hes those for whom the promise was
intended. Unto you:" Lest they
should doubt of pardon and grace,
their sin being so great. ITO your
children:" Because everyone's first
care is and should be for their families
and descendants. "And to all that ara
afar Off" All Gentle nations. Even
as many as the Lord our God shall call"
The promise belongs to everyone whom
God calls unto Him.
40. And with many other words, :"
etc: Hence we learn that there is no
attempt made by the writer of the Acts
to produce more than the substance and
character of what was here said. Ibid
he testify" The usual word in the
Greek for bearing witness" And
exhort:" Tho order of these words.
especially the dependence of exhorta-
ton upon testimony or instruction is
worthy of note. "Save yourselves" By
taking hold of the offered salvation and
believing in Christ. From this un-
toward (croolSed) generation" The
meaning is, both from the evil influence
of and also from the condemnation pro-
nOIrnna6 CT ha
Al. They that gladly received"
Freely" "cheerfully," 'joyfully."
Were baptized" Immediately, though
not necessarily on the same day. There
were added about three thou
sand souls:" Unto them is an addition
by the translators. These were to carry
back the Gospel to the lands whence
they came.
~. And they (the 1000 converts) con-
tinued stcadfastly:" The one Greek
word is expressed by the English verb
and abverb They pcrsevered in and
gave earnest attention to their training
in the Christian life. ''In the apostles
doctrines" /. C., the teaching of the apos-
ties in the truths of their religion, and
in the words and life of Jesus, and in
the practical duties of religion. And
| in) fellowship:" The original signifies
literally sharing in common. Break
ing of bread" is the earliest New Testa-
ment phrase for the Lords Supper, and
| thus the second sacrament took it's place
along with baptism in the Christian
community from the beginning.
43. Fear came upon every soul"
| The fear was an awe. "a reverential as
constituent" MANY wonders and signs
were done by the apostles" This gen.
eral description includes the miracles
described more in detail in subsequent
chapters (chap. 8:1-s; 5:1c, Is. 16).
~. And all that believed were to-
gether:" They had one central home;
they constituted n social community
| by themselves, separated from the rest
of the people, not by local and physical
| barriers, but by their own mutual SYM
pathies." And had all things common:"
Looked upon their possessions not as
their own, but held them as subject to
the use of the church as they were
needed.
10. sold their possessions and goods:"
| Possessions: immovable property -
lands, houses. Goods; movable personal
property. Parted them to all:" Not to
friends only, but "as every man had
need" These verbs tsold. parted) are in
the imperfect tense, indicating that the
sale and distribution took place from
| time to time, as special occasion of dis
treSs or want called for them
40. And they, continuing daily" lac
cording TO the prayer: give us day by
day our daily bread') with one accord
in the temple" The wisdom OF the
church of the first days was conspicu-
ously shown in their reverent love for
the temple Of their fathers. And
breaking bread" See in verse 49, IL
was the common meal, eaten together,
and closing with the Lords Supper.
From house 20 house," Or at home.
did cat their meat" l. G.. took their
food. their ordinary meals. with glad.
ness" etc: because those who were
| able 90 contribute 10 the support OF the
I poorer members Of the church we're de-
| lighted 10 do 50. and thus all over-anx.
| ious care for the morrow was removed
| from the whole community. single.
ness Of heart" This means with = sin.