Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-08-15
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUNNSOOOL
LESSON
By Rev. p. 3. FITzWATER, d. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1918. by Western Newspaper union:l
LESSON FOR AUGUST 19
SOME ACTIVITIES OF THE PRlMl-
TIVE CHURCH.

LESSON TExT-Acts 2;42-47; 4:s2-s5; 6:
IA.
GOLDEN TEXT-Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving. and into his courts
with praise: be thankful unto him and
bless his name.-Psalms 1904.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Psalms 122;
1-9
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL,-Mark1 1:15-
IT; Acts 1898: I Corinthians S:s; 12:4-2s;
Ephesians 4:1-16.
|. The Church Worshiping (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:
/. Continued steadfastly in the
apostles doctrine" ". 429.
Continuance and stea9fastness 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).
.. 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 sanctl-
ffcation in seclusion will be doomed to
disappointment.
3. They went regularly to the COM
munion table ". 42).
In the 'Fbreal1ing of bread" they SYM
bohcaIly fed upon Christ True wor-
shippers will not neglect this means Of
grace.
4. They went regularly to the pray
err 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:
ID Wholesome fear ". 49,. 20
A powerful ministry ". 43). Many
wonders and signs were done by the
apostles. (3) Mutual ministry ivy. A
45). Those who give themselves to
| Christ are large-hearted and generous
giving of their substance TO help she
poor and needy. a. A constant wor
shin Nv. 46). (5) Unity and gladHess
(v. 49,. (6) Gracious influence among
the people w. 40. 90 A perpetual
growth ". Az. Where such genuine
ness is manifest there will be growth
The Lord added TO the church daily
there was a continuous revival.
n. The Church Witnessing tActs4
31-35).
Note the characteristics of wit
Messing church:
1. A praying church fy- 3D.
Fer every want and every need they
betook themselves to God in prayer
2. A spirit filled church ". 3I.
When they prayed the place was
shaken wherein they were gathered 20
gether. They were all filled with thf
holy spirit. The spirit is given in an
|
s. A testifying church ". BY.
The ministers had boldness In tesrt
uony.
A. 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.
s. A charitable and generous church
". 32).
They held nothing hack from those
who had need.
6. It's membership possessed I'M
blemished characters; great grace was
upon them all.
~. The Church Overcoming Diff
culties (Acts 6:1-4).
Out of the beautiful fellowship OF
this early church grew peculiar diff
ficulty Among the Grecian Jews there
eamo feeling that partiality had been
shown in the distribution Of funds. The
dsfirulty 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 ap-
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. Full of the holy spirit ". 81.
The temperatures of the church
should only be entrusted to spirit-flled
men.
8. Full Of wisdom ". 81.
The highest wisdom is required in
the handling of the business side of
i church life, and this should be done by
men other than ministers. Ministers
should give themselves to prayer and
preaching.