The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-18

THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Lesson III, Jan. 10, 19O2-The Early
Christian Church-Acts if, 37-47.

Lesson III, Jan. 10, 13o2-The early
Christian C~hurch-Acts il, 37-47.
John Foster describes Pentecost as the ring
ing OF the great bell Of the universe. in ans
wer to its imperious summons a most re-
markable audience gathered. II represented a
vast territory-from Asia Minor TO the Libyan
desert, from Mesopotamia to Rome. A poly
glot audience! . . 4. To the e~cstatic impro-
visation in all the dialects Of that motley throng
to which the apostles yielded themselves, the
calm, orderly, logical discourse of Peter is
in sharp contrast. He spoke in Greek, the then
almost universal language. Well might Chry-
session call him 1.-THE mouth of the apostles"
such was his eloquence. . . After putting
aside, without recruitment, the derisive exPla-
nation of the scene which prejudice suggested,
he proceeded with the skill of a practiced ora
tor to find a common ground with his auditory,
as Paul did when he quoted heather classics.
. . . He said, in substance: I'VE all believe
in Joel-that he is a prophet sent Of God. Now,
Joel expressly afirms that in the latter days
there shall be an efusion of the Spirit. with
signs and wonders attendant. chief among which
shall be some species of sacred rhapsody. DO
not the scenes which you witness closely con-
form to those which Joel described by ~inspira-
ton? Do not the sound, the fire and the tongues
fulfill Joel's prophecy? Then, David is the
bright star OF our national history-our royal
hymnist. Now, David says, in a certain psalm.
My flesh shall rest in hope. My soul will not
be left in hades. I'll not see corruption. I'll
find the way to life.' But David's flesh has
seen corruption. Yonder is his tomb. There
lie his ashes. So David could not have been
speaking of himself. There is another grave.
1t is yonder in the garden, near to Calvary. Its
seal is broken: its stone rolled away; Il is
empty! The body laid there saw no corruption.
The resurrection of Jesus, of which We are
witnesses, is the literal fulhllment of Dsvid's
prophecy. And David himself said: The Lord
1.-THE Fatherl said unto my Lord 1.-THE Sonl, sit
thou on my right hand till 1 make thine enc
mics the footstool Of thy feet Now. David
has not assembled. but the Messiah certainly
has. God hath made him both Lord and
Christ OF the 1--WE hundred and thirty
one words in this sermon two hundred and
eighteen are used in quotations from the He
brew scriptures. so opposite as to carry convic-
ton to the majority. This masterpiece OF sa-
cred oratory, this first gospel sermon produced
a surprising transformation in the auditors.
They began by calling the apostles drunkards:
they ended by calling them brothers. They
talked h~aughtily Of being Abraham's seed: but
their pharisaical phrases quickly gave place to
the publican's, God be merciful to me a sin
ner!" The lovely and fascinating pic
ture OF the Apostolic Church. which the closing
paragraph of this chapter contains, could never
have been painted but for the thorough work
done in the hearts Of these hearers. They were
awakened convicted, penitent, believing. con-
verted, baptized. A splendid foundation. . {.
No wonder they continued steadfast in the
teaching of the apostles. and in preferring their
company to that Of any other. and in the or
dinances of the church. and in the special sea-
sons of prayer. The converts were fused into
an unselhsh brotherhood. Altruism dominated.
The rich and the poor met together. The strong
bore the infrmities of the weak. Each in honor
preferred the other. . . . Such a church
would naturally be vocal with praise. 1t WOULD
command respect. T. would draw members like
a magnet.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
On the river bank We instinctively question
about its source. The mind delights in origins.
The Book OF Genesis Of any order Of thought
or action is Accordingly interesting. SO of any
christianity as a system and an organization.
We instinctively ask, Whence comes Il? What
was it like in the beginning 1t is matter of
large philosophic importance, for no true esti-
mate of human history. past, current OF future.
can be made without the recognition OF the
church as an important If not a prime factor.
II is not a curious or speculative question. By
comparing the church OF to-day with the church
OF the apostles we shall know whether the
church has advanced or retrogarded; whether
- AN' 49, 80 AAeAA6 5HAAAk aA4
or not. The second chapter Of the Acts OF the
Apostles is the Book Of Genesis Of the Chris
tian Church. 1t is a faithful. speaking photo
graph Of the church and it's origin.
The characteristics Of these apostolic con-
verts were that they continued steadfastIy IN
in the apostles doctrine. viz. their oral teach
ing. They went to church. Cd In the apostles
fellowship. Communion Of saints was not 90
much a matter Of creed as OF practice ca In
the breaking Of bread. They neglected not N.
speaking ordinance Jesus appointed 10 remind
them OF the Offering Of his life. which he made
in rowing service. an Offering they were to iml-
tate. "a In prayer-literally the prayers. prayers
offered al a specific time and a designated place
in other words. the prayer meeting.
Peter showed superb tact in disarminR preiu.
dice and obtaining a hearing. The pioneer preach
es Of an earlier day Ia this country did like
wise. Need OF IL is not outgrown yet. II adj
mits Of question whether more skill is not re-
quired now than ever. Not in foreign or city
mission field only. but among boys and girls
and young people OF our homes and college.
ity. threats OF dire consequences are dead: old
methods are effete- Pioneer ways would be
laughed out OF countenance to-day. The ethics
OF the case must be shown. and the philosophical
principles universally applicable 10 life must be
stated and Illustrated.
The church. no more than any other institu-
ton. can live upon It's past. II must be to-
day. Like the church OF the apostles. IL can
only inspire awe and ind favor. II Is utterly