The Dolores star., 1918-08-09
LESSON FOR AUGUST 1s
SOME ACTIVITIES OF THE PRIMI.
TIVE CHURCH.

GOLDEN TEHT-Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving. and into his courts
with praise: be thankful unto him and
bless his name.-Psalms 1904.
DEVOTIONAL READIEG-Psalms 122:
l-s
ADDITIONAL MATERIA-Mark1 11:l5-
II: Acts lO:a3: Corinthians SO: 12:4-2s:
Ephesians 4:l-16
!. The Church Worshipins (Acts 2 ::
pad.
As the result Of Peters preaching at
Pentecost about three thousand per-
sons confessed Christ in baptism. That
their conversion was genuine Is evi-
denced by what they did:
!. CONTINUED steadfastly in the
apostles doctrine" ". 42).
Continuance and steadfastness are
infallible proofs Of the genuineness Of
ones conversion. They not only were
steadfast. but they kept themselves in
the school Of Christ-came regularly
to the meetings to be instructed by the
apostles. Christians cannot grow un-
less they feed upon Gods word. Trashy
novels and story papers will not make
Christians grow The "sincere milk OF
the word" Is essential to growth II
Peter 2:2).
2. Kept themselves in the fellow
ship Of the apostles ". 42).
This doubtless means that they at
tached themselves to the church and
sought the friendship Of Christian peo-
pie. Christian growth is helped by as
socintiOn with Christian people, not by
withtrawal. One who expects sancti-
fcatiOn In seclusion will be doomed to
disappointment.
3. They went regularly to the COM
nunlon table ". 42).
In the ''breakihg Of bread" they sym
,olically fed upon Christ. True wor-
ihipers will not neglect this means of
grace.
4. They went regularly to the pray.
" meeting ". 42).
Prayer is the very breath Of soul
growth. 1t is as necessary to spiritual
life as breathing is to physical life
The result Of such life was:
(1) Wholesome fear ". 49,. (2)
powerful ministry ". 43). Many
wonders and signs were done by the
apostles. (3) Mutual ministry (vv. A.
49,. Those who give themselves to
Christ are large-hearted and generous.
giving of their substance to help the
poor and needy. t4) A constant wor-
ship w. 48). (D Unity and gladness
". 4e). (6) Gracious influence among
the people ". ~. (D A perpetual
growth ". 47). Where such genuine
ness is manifest there will be growth.
The Lord added to the church daily
there was a continuous revival.
u. The Church witnessing (Acts 4:
31-35).
Note the characteristics Of wit
Messing church:
/. x praying church ". 3D.
For every want and every need they
betook themselves to God In prayer.
2. A spirit.filled church ". 3D.
When they prayed the place was
shaken wherein they were gathered to-
gether. They were all flied with the
holy spirit. The spirit is given in an
swer to prayer (Luke II :13).
3. A testifying church ". 3D.
The ministers had boldness in testi-
mony.
4. A united church ". 32).
They were of one heart and one soul.
united in the one body to the one head
by the holy spirit.
5. A charitable and generous church
". 32).
They held nothing back from those
who had need.
6. It's membership possessed un-
blcmished characters: great grace was
upon them all.
III. The Church Overcoming Diff
cuities (Acts 6:1-4.
Out of the beautiful fellowship of
this early church grew peculiar diff
ficulty. Among the Grecian Jews there
came feeling that partiality had heeD
shown in the distribution Of funds. The
difficulty was recognized at once and
properly dealt with. The apostles re-
fused to allow this to divert their min
istry, so they proceeded with the ini-
tial organization in the church. the np-
pointment of deacOns. We have here
set forth the qualifications Of those
who are to look after the business end
of the church.
l. Good report ". ~.
1t is highly important that even the
business affairs of the church should
be in the hands of honest men. The
church cannot afford to appoint men Of
doubtful reputation to do such work.
2. Fpll of the holy spirit ". ~.
The temporaiities of the church
should only be entrusted to spirit-filled
men.
3. Full Of wisdom ". 81.
The highest wisdom Is required in
the handling of the business side Of
church life, and this should lie done by
men other than ministers. Ministers
should give themselves to prayer and
preaching.
Bible and Education