The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-01-14
EVANGELIST SPEAKS
TO LARGE AUDIENCE
Evangelist Clarke Gives Dis
course On The New
Testament Church
(By Rev. J. A. LOng)

Evangelist Clarke made his second
appearance Wednesday night before
great and appreciative audience in
this, the second, visit of the well.
known evangelist, to the Vine street
Church of Christ. His announced
subject was "The New Testament
Church." the first discourse in SER
les of addresses on the church.
After u splendid Introductory SER
vice led by Miss White, musical di-
rector, and an impressive rendering
of special solo entitled "He Will
Hold Me Fast" by the gifted singer,
Mr. Clarke introduced his subject
with the explanation that he came to
the discussion of this great theme
with the threefold thought of estab.
lihshing the truth of God as the one
thing worth while, of strengthening
all Christians in the faith and exalt-
ing the Word of God as the supreme
authority in religion.
Dealing directly with the theme,
the preacher said in part:
"The redemption OF the world Is a
mighty task that had enlisted, since
the fall, the wisdom and energy Of
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. BY
them the scheme OF redemption has
been wrought out and included Jesus
Christ as the worlds Saviour. The
gospel containing the good news of
possible salvation through the grace
of God; the Holy Spirit to direct and
guide in the work and the church. as
the body of Christ composed of obedi-
ent believers to carry the gospel as
guided by the Holy Spirit and through
its ministry help establish the king.
dom of God among men,"
After thus defining the church, the
speaker went on to answer the ques-
ti0n as to when and where the church
was organized or established Quot.
Ing the prophecies of Isaiah, Daniel,
and John the Baptizer, and the words
of Jesus and Peter, he pointed out the
fulfillment of prophecy and the ac-
ceptance of the beginning of the
church on the day of Pentecost fol-
lowing the resurrection and ascension
of Jesus.
Taking UP the third division of his
sermon. the evangelist, from careful
analysis of the story as presented In
the Word OF God. declared the New
Testament church to be. in every
sense II Christ church and emphasized
the following facts to support his po.
sition:
First-lt is the visible body of
Christ in the world.
Second--lt honored Christ by wear
ing His name, requiring all who came
into the fellowship to confess that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Third--lt served under the commits.
sion, go ye into all the world and
make disciples OF all nations, baptiz-
ing them in the name OF the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all things whatsoever /
have commanded you"
Fourth-lt honored Christ by set.
ting out In its ordinances the central
truths in His redemptive work, In
the communion the giving OF His
body and the shedding of, His blood
upon the cross; in baptism, the death,
the burial and the resurrection of Jes.
us Christ for the redemption Of man
kind.
Fifth-lt honored Christ by requir-
ing of It's members the living of the
Christ life.
The speaker closed his message
with plea for faithfIlness to the
ideals OF the church AS set out in
Gods Word and an invitation to any
who had never honored themselves
by identifying themselves with the
! church, to accept Jesus Christ.
Tonight, Evangelist Clarke will
speak on THE DETECTION or What
Happened to the New Testament
Church"
Shop meeting Friday at Cooper's,
| The public is cordially invited to
these services, --,- ~. 7 - !.