Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-08-23
EMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUNlAYSQlOOL
LESSON
(By Rev. P B. FITZWATER, D. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright, 1918. by Western Newspaper Union.n
LESSON FOR AUGUST 18
SOME ACTIVITIES OF THE PRIMI-
TIVE CHURCH.

TIVE CHURCH.
LESSON TEXT-Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35; 6:
la
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-Psalrns 122:
I-s
II; Acts 1878: Corinthians 3:9; 12:4-29;
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:
1. Continued steadfastly in the
apostles doctrine" ". 42).
Continuance and steadfastness are
infallible proofs of the genuineness of
one's 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 I'M
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
| tached themselves to the church ana
sought the friendship of Christian peo-
pie. Christian growth is helped by as
sociation with Christian people, not by
withdrawal One who expects sancti-
fcation in seclusion will be doomed to
disappointment.
8. They went regularly to the com
munion table ". 42l.
In the ''brealling of bread they sym
nolically fed upon Christ. True wor
shippers will not neglect this means OF
grace.
4. They went regularly to the pray
ar meeting ". 42).
Prayer is the very breath of sou
growth. 1t is as necessary to spiritua
life as breathing is to physical life
The result of such life was:
(1) Wholesome fear (v. 431. q
A powerful ministry (v. 43). Man.
wonders and signs were done by tn
/ apostles. (3) Mutual ministry Wv. "A
45). Those who give themselves t
Christ are large-hearted and generous
giving of their substance to help tn
poor and needy (4) A constant wor
ship w. 46l. (5) Unity and gladnes
". 46). (6) Gracious influence anon
the people (v. 40. 60 A perpetua
growth ". 40. Where such genuine
ness is manifest there will be growtf
The Lord added to the church daily
there was a continuous revival.
II. The Church Witnessing (Acts 4
51-35).
Note the characteristics of a wi
Messing church:
1. A praying church ". 3D.
For every want and every need the
betoolz themselves to God in prayer
3. A spirit-filled church ". 3D.
When they prayed the place Wa
gether. They were all filed with tt
holy spirit The spirit is given in al
swer to prayer Ouke II: 49,
3. A testify1ng church ". 80.
: The ministers had boldness in test
: mony.
f. A united church ". 32).
; They were of one heart and one sou
; united in the one body to the one hea
by the holy spirit.
3. A charitable and generous churC
". 32).
They held nothing back from tho:
who had need.
g. It's membership possessed u
blemfshed characters; great grace WI
upon them all.
5 1T. The Church Overcoming DIFF
| cuities (Acts CID.
Out of the beautiful fellowship
: This early church grew peculiar di
: ficuIty. Among the Grecian Jews the
5 came feeling that partiality had bee
} shown in the distribution of funds. II
/ difficulty was recognized at once al
: properly dealt with. The apostles r
2 fused to allow this to divert their mi
t istry, so they proceeded with the il
/ tial organization in the church, the a
e pofntment of deacons. We have he
t set forth the qualifications of tho
who are to look after the business el
: Of the church.
2 l. Good report ". 81.
r It is highly important that even t
!. business affairs of the church shou
: be III the hands of honest men. II
f church cannot afford to appoint men
. doubtful reputation to do such work
o y. Full Of the holy spirit (v. 81.
f The temporalities of the chur
o should only be entrusted to spirit-fll
8 men.
.. Full of wisdom (v. 81.
The highest wisdom is required
: the handling of the business side
6 church life, and this should be done
men other than ministers. Ministe
q should give themselves to prayer al
h preaching.