The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-08-08
LESSON FOR AUGUST IS
SOME ACTIVITIES OF THE pRlmI.
TIVE CHURCH.

LESSON TExT-Acts 2:i2-i7. 4:s2-S. 9:
GOLDEN TEXT-Enter into his gates
with Thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praise: he thankful unto him and
bless his name.-Psalms i00.t
DEVOTIONAL READING-Psalms I22:
10
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI,-Mark ri.ib-
II; Acts 1913: I Corinthians SO; i2:t-2g:
Ephesians t:l-is
I. The Church Worshipino (Acts 2 (:
42-47).
As the result Of Peters preaching at
Pentecost about three thousand per-
sons confessed Christ in baptism. That
their conversion was genuine is evil
denced by what they did:
I. CONTINUED stendfnstly In the
apostles doctrine" ". 42).
Continuance and steadfastness are
infalllble proofs of the gsnulneness Of
ones conversion. They not only were
steadfast. but they kept themselves In
the school Of Chrlst-cnme regularly
20 the meetings 20 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 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 is helped by as
ISOLATION with Christian people. not by
withdrawal. One who expects sancti-
Iicntion in seclusion will be doomed 20
disappointment.
3. They went regularly 10 the COM
munIon table ". 42).
In the ''breaking Of bread" they SYM
bollcally fed upon Christ. True wor-
shippers will not neglect thi, means OF
grace.
4. They went regularly TO the pray
er meeting ". 42).
Prayer Is the very breath OF soul
growth. II II as necessary 10 spiritual
life as breathing Is TO physical life.
The result 81 such life was:
~ Wholesome fear ". 40. t2)
A powerful ministry ". 43). Many
wonders and signs were done by the
apostles. (3) Mutual ministry wv. ~
45) Those who give themselves 10
Christ are large-hearted and generous.
giving Of their substance to help the
poor and needy. t4) A constant wor-
ship w. 46). t5) Unity and gladness
". 46). (6) Gracious influence among
the people ". Az. ca A perpetual
growth ". Az. Where such genuine
ness is manifest there will be growth.
The Lord added TO the church daily
there was continuous revival.
u. The Church Witnessing tActs 4:
1880.
Note the characteristics OF a wit
Messing church:
I. A praying church ". 3D.
FIR every want and every need they
betook themselves to God in prayer.
2. A splrit-filled church ". 3D.
When they prayed the place was
shaken wherein they were gathered to-
gether. They were all filed with the
holy spirit The spirit is given In an
swer to prayer Luke II 49,.
3. A testifying church ". SD.
The ministers had holiness 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
9. A charitable and generous church
". 82).
They held nothing back from those
who had need.
O. Its membership possessed I'M
blemlshed characters; great grace was
upon them all.
~. The Church Overcoming DIM
euItles (Acts 6:1-D.
Out OF the beautiful fellowship or
this early church grew a peculiar DIFF
fculty. Among the Grecian Jews there
came feeling that Partially had been
shown In the distribution OF funds. The
difficulty was recognized at once ana
properly dealt with. The apostles re-
fused 10 allow this TO divert their min
istry, so. they proceeded with the mi
tial organization In the church, the APP
pOintment OF deacons. we nave mere
set forth the qualifications OF those
who are 10 look after the business end
OF the church.
I. Good report ". 81.
II 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. Full OF the holy spirit ". ~.
The temporalities OF the church
should only be entrusted to splrit-nlled
men.
3. Full OF wisdom ". ~.
The highest wisdom is required 10
the handling OF the business side OF
church life and this should be done by
men other than ministers. Ministers
should give themselves 10 prayer ana
preaching.
RihIs and EdIcatIon-