The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-07-03

LESSON TENTS-Acts Ala. T-T;
Thess 5l1-lb
GOLDEN TExT-christ also loved the
church. and gave himself for it-Eph
So
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Cor. ~
t-sl; Eph l;lb-3. t;ii-i6. b:25-27. Rev. /.
PRIMARY ToPiC-our Father, House
JUNIOR ToPIC-why We should Love
the Church
INTERMEDIATES TopIc-what the
Church Does for Us and What We should
DO for the Church.
SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIc-The
Spirit and Mission OF the Church.
'. The Origin Of the Church tAcfs
2:1-4).
Fifty days after the passover. while
the 40 men and women were with
one accord In one place" the Holy
spirit came upon them and baptized
them Into one body q Cor. 12:I3)
Thus was begun the body called the
y church. The church had its beginning
mt Pentecost. The believers we're
anIted around the resurrected Christ
as head
". Conditions Of Entrance Into
the Church (Acts 2:37-4D.
After the coming Of tln Spirit NJ
Peniecost, Peter witnessed to the
deuih and resurrection OF Christ.
Through this testimony the Spirit CON
vlctcd these Jews Of their sins In
their desperate need they cried out:
what shall we dor" Peters reply
Indicated the steps into the church.
% Belief IN Jesus Christ as Savior.
His argument proved that Jesus whom
they had crucificd was the Messiah
t2) Repentance. Every one entering
the church should repent: should
change his mind and attitude toward
Jesus Christ.
CD he baptized. The divinely ap-
pointed method for the public confes.
sion Of Jesus Christ Is baptism. Those
who have believed In Jesus Christ
should receive this tangible ordinance.
which symhollzes our Identification
with Christ In his death. burial and res
direction.
tD Receive remission Of sins. Those
who have been united 10 Jesus Christ
have all their sins removed: there In
an entire cancellation OF guilt. They
have standing before God which Is
absolutely perfect
60 Receive the Holy Spirit. The gift
Of the Holy Spirit is the blrthrlght Of
every regenerated soul who Is obedI-
eni 10 Christ.
~. A Portrait OF the Primitive
Church tActs 2;4247).
I. They continued In the apostles
doctrine ". 42). Instead OF being
taught by the scrbes they are now
taught by the apostles. They have
turned AWAY from their blind guides
and are following new ones
2 They continued In fellowship |
around Christ ms the head ". 42). The /
breaking Of bread illustrated the one
ness Of believers In Christ As all
partook Of one loaf. so all believers
are one In Christ.
3. They continued In prayer ". 42).
The ideal church Is a praying church.
4. They had a community OF goods
wv. 43-4S. They had all things In com.
mon. Those that had possessions sold
them md distribution was made 10
every one as he had need
3. They were filled with praise ".
46). All those who have had the ex-
perience Of the life OF God being
poured into them are filled with praise.
and gratitude must express itself.
~. The Mutual Duties Of oSieers
and Members OF the Church q Thess.
5:1i-15).
i. Mutual intercourse for comfort
and edification ". ~. There is no
caste In the church 81 Jesus Christ; II
II a brotherhood.
?. Proper recognition should be
given TO those who are engaged in
spiritual service ". i2). Only as the
grace OF God abounds do men and
women turn from their secular 20 splr-
ltual interests Those who thus re-
spOnd 10 the call Of God should have
popular recognition.
3 Proper respect should be given
10 church officials ". 13).
While we should not give worship
10 those who are leaders In the church
of Christ we should give them proper
respect. One OF the signs OF the de-
yeneracy OF the age Is lack OF re-
'pect shown Christian ministers.
4. Live In peace ". l3). Although
here II In the church diversity Of
interests and personalities the love OF
'hrisi should so All us that there be
10 strife In his body. ,
.. Warn the dlsorderly w. ~. As
,hrist chose twelve and one was a
ievil, so In the church there will be ,
hose who are disorderly All such
hOuld he lovingly warned. /,
q. BE not retallatlve ". l5). Al.
hough others wrong us we should not 4,
etallate.
4
Grouth