Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-26
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.


of the spiritual life Of the mother
church in Jerusalem as was seen IN
the study a few weeks ago. when the
theme of the lesson was the church.
The inevitable result of men pos
sessing common religious experience,
faith and feelings was TO draw them
together into an organized associa-
ton. The spiritual tie that united
them in the new community was
through their union with the living
Christ. Under the guidance of the
HOLY Spirit the thousands who were
converted to the new faith at Pente-
cost accepted new spiritual guides,
cheerfully observed two new ordl-
nances and revealed their fellowship
that demonstrated that they were one
body in the Lord Jesus by the adop-
ton of the community of goods. They
sold their lands and other property.
and distributed the proceeds among
all: according to every ones necessl-
ties
The establishment of a common
purse was a striking testimony OF
the spiritual change that had taken
place in their lives. 1t is not nat
ural instinct in man to abandon tue
to his possessions. The jew had
double love for his temperatures:
L
heavens blessing. When his ways
pleased Jehovah that complacence
was shown in an increase in f1ockS
and herds and in abundant harvests
To be poor was to be under the di-
vine frown." The sympathy that ex-
Jerusalem church under the strong
and general feeling of Christian char
ity. which was the direct result of
the work of the Holy Spirit, caused
them to give freely to the relief funds
Of the church. Practically through
their practice of Christian steward
ship what belonged to any brother
came to belong to the brethren. No
man asserted his private ownership
or said that aught Of the things
Men never did this before, and they
have only done it since when men
have feebly sought to follow the prac-
tice of the Jerusalem church to haVe
all things in common. They nave falled
in their efforts to initiate because
Spirit. Although Christians ought to
be benevolent, they are not compelled
to maintain a common purse.
Christianity differs fundamentally
in it's social expression of friendship,
fraternity and fellowship from the
tic and bolshevist programs of the
present hour. The religion of Jesus
not only condemns, but completely
cures, the selfishness, covetous1es $
follower of the Christ. when they
seek to obey the teachings of their
Lord Christianity differs from every
social program that seeks by. the
force of law to annihilate private
property and to compe! men to Ia
Dor for a common, not for a private,
gain in it's efforts to equalize incomes,
abolish wealth and eradicate poverty,
Christian fellowship is not compui-
sorry. but voluntary. 1t does not seek
duce any artificial equality through
constraint or compulsion. 1t developed
such an intense love and sense of the
oneness of the members of the
brotherhood in Christ that it abolish
ed all forms of poverty and destitu-
ton among the membership of the
mother church in Jerusalem.
Thirty-two years later evidence is
found in the letter that Paul sent
from his prison in Rome to the church
be established in Europe. how the
spirit of Christian fellowship was ex-
hibited. Their first pastor was sepa-
rated at least thousand miles by
ten the one who first preached unto
them the gospel of the risen Christ,
and the fellowship of the first Euro
pean church filled the apostle in his
dark, damp, dungeon with "a deep and
holy joy" that they, through their love
for him. should come to share in his
The basis of the Christians fellow
ship is love Christianity is funda-
mentally a religious love. The blessed
experience of living in fellowship
with the Christ creates a spirit of fell
lowship in the heart of the Christian
for all men, especially his fellow dis
ciples The Christian becomes a low
ing brother tonen, not so much be-
cause he looks to men as because he
looks to God. The life of Christ
planted within the Christian forces
| him to love and have fellowship for
all men. His love is not mere senti-
mental feeling or emotion, although
/ it may have both of these elements
Thayer has defined it Ito be full OF
good will, and exhibit the same" II
gives him a real appreciation of the
worth of man. respect for and regard
! for the welfare of man, so that he has
/ a deep and abiding desire to share
| with humanity in its needs not only
i his knowledge of the gospel, but al
! that he possesses either in person OIL
| property.
| ship appeared in the steadfast manner
! with which the newly won disciples
applied themselves to master the prln-
ciples of the gospel of Christ under
| the instruction of the apostles, whom
| before their conversion, they would
| have despised as unframed fishermen
not having graduated from any one
of the recognized schools of theology
| 1t was seen in their observance of the
ordinances and their generous sharing
with those in need through gifts to
| the common purse. 1t promoted Serv-
| ice as we'll as giving.
! 1t prompted the Rbilippian Church
+, not only to contribute to assist Pau
| in his Affections and trials. but also
| in his efforts to establish a new
| church at Thessalonlca. 1t is promot-
! ing throughout the churches of Christ
| today, by developing a great united
purpose among all the followers OF
! the Lord Jesus to win the world for
Him, the same missionary effort and
enthusiasm that marked the Phi
PauIs missionary efforts. The pagans
were filled with Amusement at the
fellowship exhibited by the early
church. so that they said: "They love
! each other without knowing each
/ other" The same spirit is needed to-
| day in America if we are to respond
! to our duty which the present world
| opportunity presents to US as a peo-
| ple. We must share our possessions
| of property and the gospel with the
suffering, striving and struggling ma
! lions of the earth if democracy is to
| be made safe for the world
| The church, that has ministered out
| of Christian fellowship to the needs
| of the apostle, was assured that its
gifts were acceptable to God and that
He would supply it every need
The true disciple of Christ will seek
| first the kingdom of God and have
| ALI his personal needs supplied from
the great resources of the Heavenly
Father. When Christians give wha,
they possess to supply. the needs OF
others. then. and only then, may they
be assured that God will supply their
every need "accordlng 10 His riches
in glory by Christ Jesus"
/ Eallaruc in will reinforce the Eel