Evening star., 1925-06-27

. we. conclude with this lesson our
studies In the first part of the Acts OF
the Apostles. We have been STUDYING
that portion of the epic of conquerine
Christianity which has been a storm
center of New Testament scholarship
The unnamed author. who has been
identified as Luke. the beloved physi
clan and companion of Paul has given
us book of Acts. This history OF
striking deeds Ia a continual ton of his
gospel that recorded what Jesus bega n
to do and teach. In narratins how the
gospel. rejected by all but small
number of Jews. spread Throughout,
the world from Jerusalem to Rome
we have not the Acts of the Apostles
but the deeds of the risen Lord.
Christianity rests upon the person
aiity and character of Jesus Christ
He IL the first cause spiritual source
1mperishable inspira ton and ideal
Harnack has called attention Ito the
enormous bulk of unwieldy. chaotic
material that lay before him LUX {
used the sources with accuracy. hon
esty and with unusual historical
judgment. He treats his theme with
an impartial spirit and has filled his
narrative with much local color that
has been confirmed by the work OF
scholars. scientists and students. He
used his material to present one idea
seeking to point out 'the power of the
Spirit OF Jesus in the apostles, mani
tested most impressively in. the ex
pansion Of the gospel" Luke recog
f1fzed that Christia nifty. starting as a
sect within Judaism. had in itself
and gradually came to- realize its pos
sibiity of being a universal religion
due to the presence and power of the
risen ord with His ChnTCh
Early Jewish Church.
After describing Christ's last in
structions and ascension and the
company of believers who had been
formed into an association of believers
after they had witnessed His resur
rection and ascension that was tht
nucleus of the Jerusalem church, Luke
mentions several incidents in connec
ton with. the dawn of Christianity
Acts is not a complete history. but q
selection Of deeds that played a parl
in the recognition Of the right of the
Gentiles into admission as members
of the Christian church.
While the early Christians were moi
organized into the forms with which
we are familiar, there was spiritual
life that under divine direction we saw
shaping up into a manner that would
express the vital spiritual life of the
church without strangling or steril1Z
ing 1T. While at the commencement
OF church history we failed TO dis
cover any systematic statement o1
faith. vet Peter In his, the first, Chris
tian sermon preached after they had
been filled with the Holy Spirit. eH
pressed the rallyins convictions of the
first Christians. They were united fr
the faith that Christ was their living
Lord and that they had been appointed
witnesses of His resurrection. Ht
claimed that His victory over thu
grave proved that Jesus was the Mes
siah and that His sufferings on thu
cross were In accordance with the
Scripture. The gift of the Holy
Spirit resulted in the addition of sew
eraI thousand to their number. who
continued to enjoy the fellowship OF
the church. the instructions Of the
apostles, prayer and breaking ol
bread ~
The power OF the church increased
through the healing Of the cripple al
the gate and Peters and Johns bold
ness before the court, and the spirit
OF brotherhood manifested In their
generosity toward one another. The
golden period was msrred by tive in
cidents that revealed the weakness
of, selfishness existing in the young
church. Ananias and his wife re
vealed the faIseness Of their faith by
their agreement and effort to deceive
the church. The Lord showed His
determination to keep His followers
pure by Furnishing both with insta nj
death. The other incident grew out
of the controversy which developed
among the Hellenists, who had beer
among the most generous sivers Il
the relief funds. and who protested
that their widows were not befnf
properly cared for by the apostles II
the distribution of the charity funds
This resulted in the church electins
seven deacons, who were appointed
to take charge of the waiting OF
tables. while the apostles gave them
selves to the teaching OF the WORD
Expansion Of Christianity.
One OF the leaders of the Greek
speaking Jews. who had been elected
a. deacon. was Stephen, He com
menced to preach and was especially
successful in his debates with Other
Hellenists. He took the position. tha
Christ had instituted a Worldwide
fellowship in His Church, which re
suited In his becoming the firs'
martvr. His death resulted In the
conversion of Saul. who sought u
throw of his feelings of convictior
concerning Christianity by prosecuting
all the Christians. He could not for
get Stephens attitude as he facet
death, and his prayer for those wht
were stoning him. On the way tt
Damascus he was miraculously con
yerted and commenced his efforts t'
win others by his testimony. Sau
desired to work among his country
men. but God called him to do specia
work among the Gentiles.
When the fires of persecution broke
out. scattering the disciples fn al
ainactions Philin onened LID q CITY