The Arvada enterprise., 1918-08-15

| Bible Institute OF ChicAgo)
vepyEtsht. 1915. By Westa. Nsv.eeRe v.see:l
LESSON FOR AUGUST ls 4
COME ACTIVITIES OF TINE PRilal.
TIVE CHURCH.
LESSON TExT-Acts 1,ls-<7; A:ss-0, 4
GOLDEN TnxT-Hntsr into his gates
With Thanksgiving. and into his courts
with praise: b. thankful unto him ana
bless his nams.-PDalms 1oo:k
DEVOTIONAL RNADIN0-Psalms II:
IA
ADDITIONAL NATERIAI-Nark 11s1g-
II; Acts 10:33: Corinthians -: 0A-Ds
| 3phsolans l:1-A
I. The Church Wershlplno (Acts9 b.
42-4D.
As the result Of Peters preaching at
Pentecost about three thousand pa
sons confessed Christ in baptism. That
their conversion was genuine u evi-
denced BY what they did:
1. Continued steadfastly in The
apostles doctrine" ". ~.
Continuance and steadfastness ars
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" IL essential to growth Il
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 10 helped by as
ISOLATION with Christian people. not By
withdrawal. One who expects sanch-
flcation in seclusion will be doomed to
disappointment.
8. They went regularly to the COM
munion table ". 42).
In the "breaking of bread" they SYM
bolically fed upon Christ. True we-
shippers will not neglect this means Of
grace.
4. They went regularly to the pray.
er meeting ". 42).
Prayer IL the very breath Of sodR
growth. It is as necessary to spiritual
life as breathing Is to physical life.
The result Of such life was:
(1) Wholesome fear ". 49,. (2)
A powerful ministry ". 43y. Many
wonders and signs were done by the
apostles. (3) Mutual ministry wv. ~
45). Those who give themselves to
Christ are laree-hearted and generous.
giving Of their substance to help the
poor and needy. az A constant wor-
ship ". 49,. (5) Unity and gladness
". 4e). (6) Gracious influence among
the people ". ~. (D A perpetual
growth ". ~. 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:
1855.
Note the characteristics Of q wit
Messing church:
l. A praying church ". S1).
For every want and every need they
betook themselves to God in prayer.
2. A spirit.filled church ". 31).
When they prayed the place was
shaken wherein they were gathered 10
sether. They were all filled with the
holy spirit. The spirit Is given in an
swer to prayer (Luke II :18).
8. A testifyinR church ". 81).
The ministers had boldness In testi.
mony.
4. A united church ". 82).
They were Of one heart and one soul.
united in the one body to the one head
by the holy spirit.
8. A charitable and generous church
". 82).
They held nothing back from those
who had need.
8. Its membership possessed nm.
blemished characters: great grace was
upon them all.
~. The Church Overcoming DIM
eultlss (Acts 6:1-4).
Out Of the beautiful Fellowship Of
this early church grew a peculiar dif-
ficulty. Among the Grecian Jews there
came feeling thnt partiality had beep
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. 30 they proceeded with the inl-
tial organization In the church. the np-
pointmcnt Of dencons. We have here
set forth the qualifications Of those
who ARE to look after the business END
Of the church.
I. Good report ". -.
II In 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 0f
doubtful reputation to do such work.
2. Full Of the holy spirit ". 81.
The tempornlities Of the church
should only he entrusted to splrit.hlled
men.
3. Full Of wisdom ". 81.
The highest wisdom In required 10
the handling of the business side OF
church life. and this should he done By