Cleveland County herald., 1920-01-22

l GOLDEN TEXT-Lying lips are abomi- nation to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his deight.-Prov. 1922.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Ex. 20:16; Prov. Ill; Matt. 6: 2-4; Gal. 6:7, s; Eph. 4:15, 2, 30.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Teiling the Truth.
 JUNIOR TOPIC - Two Disciples and What Became of Them.
 | INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP. IC-The Folly and Sinfulness of Lying. I In this lesson we see the new com munity now called "the church" (v. Peter and John we see that the break 1 with Judaism has come-the authority of the Sanhedrin is repudiated with the determination on the part of the disciples to be led by the Holy Spirit. It is for this reason that the body now l gets the name "church." Since the break has come it must be shown to be a holy body; it must have recognition as being sacred. The sanctity of the tabernacle is transferred to the new body, which is Gods dwelling place (Eph. 2:19-22). The church itself, as well as the people about did not know this until Gods judgment burst forth.
 |. Characteristics of the Primitive Church (4 :31-35).
 1. It was a praying church (v. 3D. For every want annd every need they l betook themselves to God in prayer.
 2. It was Spirit-filled church (v. 3D. A praying church is Spiritfilled church. The Spirit is given in an swer to prayer Nuke Il :13).
 8. It was a church which had great boldness in preaching the Word of God (v. 3D. The minister in Spirit filled church will not offer an apology for the Bible, but will fearlessly preach it.
 4. It was united church (v. 32). They were "of one heart and one soul"
 5. It was a charitable and generous church (v. 32). As needs arose sup plies were given from a common fund.
 6. Its ministers had powerful tes l timony (v. 33).
 [. It was a church whose member ship exhibited unblemished characters tv. 33). For "great grace was upon them all."
 II. The Sin of Ananias and sapphira (vv. 1-11).
 l. Its occasion (vv. 1, 9. This was erous act of Barnabas (4:36, SD. Be, cause of the peculiar distress of the early church when the open rupture was made with Judaism, the members for a time had a community oi goods" This was not universal not permanent; some continued to owr their own homes. as for example Johr Marks mother, who used her home ir which to entertain Christians. Ananias kept back a part of the money re ceived for his land while pretending tC have brought it all. His wife was { partner in it. They wanted the honor of generosity without paying the price
 2. The judgment (vv. 3-10). Ananias allowed satan to fill his heart and lied to the Holy Ghost in keeping back g part of the price of the land It was most likely an acted lie. They were not under obligation to sell their land or having sold 1t, to bring any of the money and place 1t in the common fund. Peter declared that they were absolutely free to do as they pleased with it. Love of praise is causing many today to make the same dread. ful mistake. People are walking in the way of Ananias and Sapphira when they make a profession of re- lfgion for temporal gain and pleasure or even preaching sermons not their own. Frequently men preach the ser mons of Moody and Sturgeon without giving credit. Physical death was vis- ited upon Ananias and Sapphira for their sins.
 III. The Effect (vv. 11-16).
 l. Great fear came upon the church and upon all who heard of these things (v. ID. Irreverence is an out standing sin of this age. The church should be recognized as holy-the very dwelling place of the Most High God
 ?. Multitudes of men and women were added to the Lord (v. 14). This caused the fame of Peter to he spread far and wide. so that the people were anxious to come under his shadow. Were the holiness of the body of 1 Christ recognized. there would be many coming for pardon and salva- l ton.
 8. The hypocrites did not dare to join (v. 13). Ii is interesting to note that this vindication of the holiness of the church did not deter any but hypocrites from joining it. Nothing unhallowed nor any unregenerate per