The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-07-05
IMPROVED UNIF0RM INTERNATIONAL
SUNDMSGlO0L
LESSON
By REV. p. b. F1TZWATER, u: u,
Teacher Of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago)
Copyright. 1919. by Western Newspaper Inlon:l
LESSON FOR JULY 6
CHURCH.: ITS LIFE AND WORK.

LESSON TEXTs-Acts ala. 37-47; 1
Thess. 5u-l5.
GOLDEN TEXT-Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it-Eph.
SIS.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Cor. y:
4-31; Eph. l:l5-23 4:Il-l6; 5:25-21; Kew. l:
loo.
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.
|. The Origin of the Church (Acts
2:1-4).
Fifty days after the passover, while
the 120 men and women were with
one accord in one place the Holy
Spirit came upon them and baptized
them into one body U Cor. 12:l3).
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.
~. Conditions of Entrance Into
the Church (Acts , BID.
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.
90 Be baptized. The divinely APP
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.
|
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 = :424O.
1. They continued in the apostles
doctrine (v. 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.
.. They continued in fellowship
around Christ as 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 tv. 42)
The ideal church is a praying church
| 4.
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.
). They were filed with praise (v
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.
w. The Mutual Duties Of Officer,
and Members of the Church Il Thess
Billed.
1. Mutual intercourse for comfort
and edification ". ~. There is NJ
caste in the church of Jesus Christ; 4
| Is brotherhood.
.. Proper recognition should b'
given TO those who are engaged IL
spiritual service ". 12). Only as th'
grace of God abounds do men ant
women turn from their secular to spir
itual interests. Those Who thus re
spond to the call of God should hav,
popular recognition.
3. Proper respect should be givei
to church officials ". 49,.
While we should not give worship
10 those who are leaders in the churcl
Of Christ we should give them prope
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 a diversity o
{ interests and personalities the love o
|. Christ should so fill us that there b.
. no strife in his body.
: ). Warn the disorderIy ". AZ. A
e Christ chose twelve and one was
( devil, so in the church there will b
those who are disorderly. All sue
I should be lovingly warned.
e 6. Be not retaliative ". 15). A
: though others wrong US we should no
!, retaliate.