The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-16
LESSON FOR AUGUST 10
soMG ACTIVITIES OF THE PRlMI
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=, ls9 TIVE CHURCH. -
LESSON TExT-ActS 1;G2-I7: G:s.x: 6
"a.
GOLDEN TEXT-Entor into his gate
with thanksgiving. and into his court
with praise. be thankful unto him an,
bless his namO.-PsalmS lOO:G
DEVOTIONAL READING-PBalmO n
10.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Mark HIS
j.: Acts 1875: Corinthians SO: 2A-9
Epheslans 4:l-l6
1. The Church WorOhIpIhs CActs2
424O. t--r..
As the result Of Peters preaching al
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 thu
apostles doctrine" ". 42).
Continuance and steadfastness srC
lnfallible proofs Of the genuineness Of
ones conversion. They not only vert
Steadfast, but they kept themselves II
the school Of ChriSt-came regularly
to the meetings to be instructed by the
apostles. Christians cannot grow IN
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 q
Peter 2:2).
2. Kept themselves In the fellow
ship Of the apostles ". 42).
This doubtless means that they At
ached themselves TO the church ant
ought the friendship Of Christian peO
10. Christian growth is helped by as
oclatlon with Christian people. not BY
yithdrawnl. One who expects sancti
ucation in seclusion will be doomed Il
disappointment.
3. They went regularly 10 the com
munion table ". 42).
In the breaking Of bread" they sym
bolically fed upon Christ. True wOr
shippers will not neglect this means o.
grace.
4. They went regularly to the pray
er meeting &. ~.
Prayer is th- very breath Of sou
yrowth. II g 81 necessary n spiritual
life as breath Is to physical life
The result Of SUCH lie WIS:
~ whole fear O.. 43). (2l
\ powerful r's Try ". Az. Many
wonders ari e. D., were done by the
uoStleS C.. t...l ministry wv. A.
~. tbs "iip th,L elves e
'hrist are rted and generous
giving Of t stance to help thu
poor and NJ, % 4 constant wOr
ship ". 4G). ~ Unity and gladness
". 46). (G) Guclous influence among
the people ". ~. (D 4 perpetual
growth ". ~. Where sucn genuine
ness 10 manifest there Will 3 growth
The Lord added to the CHI daily
there was a continuous re-
n. The Church Wltness,' Acts4
21-25).
Note the characteristics Of > wit
Messing church:
I. A praying church ". BY.
For pN,9. ISN'T end every need the!
betOok liz, .t's 70 God in prayer.
.. AY I'd church ". 3D.
When IN. r.aycd the place was
shaken wherein thcy we're gathered to
gcthor. They were all filled with th'
holy spirit. The spirit Is given in an
swer to prayer UuEc 1913.
3. A teStlfyinc church ". 31).
The ministers had bOldpess in test
'ony.
4. A united church ". S2).
They were Of one heart and one soul
lnlted In TIE one body to the one hea,
Oy the holy spirit.
). A charitable and generous churcl
". 22).
They held nothing back from thos'
who had need.
6. It's membership possessed M
blemi>rci Characters; great grace wa!
upon then all.
~. Tie Church Overcoming Diff
euItlsS CActs $50.
Out Of the beautiful fellowship o.
this early church grew peculiar d!f
ficulty. Among The Grecian Jews there
came a fcciinG that Partially had bier
shown In the distribution Of funds. TIT
difficulty was recognized at once ant
properly Cealt 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 ap
pointment Of deacOns. We have herr
set forth the qualifications Of thos'
who are to look after the business enc
Of the church.
/. Good report ". 81.
II is highly important that even thu
business affairs Of the church shOulC
be in the hands Of honest men. Tit
church cannot afford to appoint men o.
doubtful reputation TO do such work.
2. Full Of the holy spirit ". ~.
The temporallties Of the churcl
should only Be entrusted TO Splrlt-6lleC
men.
3. Full Of wisdom ". 81.
The highest wisdom Is required Il
the handling Of the business side o.
church life. and this should be done b!
men other than H;nlSters. Minister
should give themselves to prayer anC
preaching. sf' y@ssF
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