Gilpin observer., 1919-07-03
LESSON FOR JULY 6
CHURCH: ITS LIFE AND WORK.

|
LESSON TExTs-Acts ALA, s7-47; I
| Thess 5:11-15.
GOLDEN TEXT-Christ also loved the
church. and gave himself for it-Eph.
| 6:2.
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Cor. p:
4-sl; Eph. 1:l5-2s: 4:ll-l6: 525-27; Rev /:
| 1920
PRIMARY ToPIC-our Fathers House.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Why We Should Love
| the Church.
INTERMEDIATE 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.
I. The Origin Of the Church (Acts
2:1-4).
Fifty days after the passover, while
the 12O men and women were with
one accord In one place" the Holy
Spirit came upon them and baptized
them into one body Il Cor. 12 :13).
Thus was begun the body called the
church. The church had its beginning
at Pentecost. The believers were
united around the resurrected Christ
as head.
u. Conditions Of Entrance Into
the Church (Acts 2:37-41).
After the coming of the Spirit at
Pentecost, Peter witnessed to the
death and resurrection of Christ.
Through this testimony the Spirit con-
victed these Jews of their sins. In
their desperate need they cried out:
"What shall we do?" Peters reply
indicated the steps into the church.
(1) Belief in Jesus Christ as Savior.
His argument proved that Jesus whom
they had crucified was the Messiah.
(2) Repentance. Every one entering
the church should repent; should
change his mind and attitude toward
Jesus Christ.
(3) Be baptized. The divinely ap-
pointed method for the public confess
sion of Jesus Christ is baptism. Those
who have believed in Jesus Christ
should receive this tangible ordinance,
which symbolizes our Identification
with Christ in his death, burial and res
direction.
(4) Receive remission of sins. Those
who have been united to Jesus Christ
have all their sins removed; there is
an entire cancellation of guilt. They
have standing before God which is
absolutely perfect
(5) Receive the Holy Spirit. The gift
of the Holy Spirit is the birthright Of
every regenerated soul who is obedi-
emf to Christ.
III. A Portrait Of the Primitive
Church (Acts 2:42-4O.
1. They continued in the apostles
doctrine ". 42). Instead of being
taught by the scribes 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 as the head w. 42l. 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 praying church.
4. They had community of goods
| wv. 43-45). They had all things in COM
mon. Those that had possessions sold
them and distribution was made to
every one as he had need.
8. They were filled with praise ".
46). All those who have had the ex-
| perience of the life of God being
poured into them are filed with praise,
and gratitude must express itself.
~. The Mutual Duties Of Officers
and Members Of the Church Il Thess.
5:11-15).
1. Mutual intercourse for comfort
and edificatlon ". 1D. There is no
caste in the church of Jesus Christ; it
is n brotherhood.
2. Proper recognition should be
given to those who are engaged in
| spiritual service ". 12). Only as the
grace of God abounds do men and
women turn from their secular to spir-
itual interests. Those who thus re-
spond to the call of God should have
popular recognition.
3. Proper respect should be given
to church officials ". 13).
While we should not give worship
to those who are leaders In the church
Of Christ we should give them proper
respect. One of the signs of the de-
generacy of the age is lack Of re-
spect shown Christian ministers.
4. Live in peace ". 13). Although
there is in the church diversity of
interests and personalities the love of
Christ should so fill us that there be
no strife in his body.
5. Warn the disorderly ". 14). AS
Christ chose twelve and one was
devil. so in the church there will be
those who are disorderly. All such
should be lovingly warned.
9. Be not retaliative ". 15). AL
though others wrong us we should not
retaliate.