The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1928-10-11
improved Uniform International
Lesson
(By REV. P. b. FITZWATER, D., Dean
Moody Bible Institute OF Chicago.)
To- 1928. Western Newspaper Union)
Lesson for October ID
SPIRITUAL GIFTS

LESSON TEXT Cor. 12:s-7,s1;
GOLDEN TEXT-Now abideth faith.
hope, charity. these three; but the
greatest of these is charity.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Love Is the Best
of All.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Greatest Thing
in the World
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-The Greatest of All Gifts.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-Spiritual Gifts.
Joel predicted remarkable effusion
of the spirit in Messianic times (Joel
2: 2S, %; CT. Acts 2:17, 49,.
Before the crucifixion, Jesus prom
Used to send the Holy Spirit TO be the
helper and guide of His people. This
was historically fulfilled on the day of
Pentecost. The gifts of the Spirit we're
extended to all classes. Not only were
these endowments marked by great
profusion, but by great diversity. In
the exercise of these gifts confusion
would surely arise. Divine life, sud-
denly poured into human nature,
stirred it to unusual power. In view
of the abuses and confusion which are
likely to arise from such a condition,
1t is highly important that certain
principles be set forth for guidance
and regulation.
!. The InfaIIibIe Criterion Il Cor.
1873.
The infallible test which determines
whether gifts are spurious or genuine
is ones conception of and attitude to-
ward Jesus Christ. Only those who
recognize Him as God manifest in the
flesh, His vicarious atonement on the
cross and submit to Him as their
Lord, can be recognized as possessing
the gift of the Holy Spirit. Christ said
before leaving the earth that when the
Spirit came His supreme business
would be to testify of Him, to take the
things of Christ and show them unto
the people. The soundness of the
faith of a man is the sign of this COM
mission from God.
II. The Diversity of Spiritual Gifts
Il Cor. u AID.
In the church there are to be found
those possessing the gift of wisdom,
knowledge, faith, healing, miracles,
prophecy, discernment of spirits, divers
kinds of tongues and the interpreted
ton of tongues.
III. The Unity Of the Spirits Gifts
Cor. 12:12-30).
~ Christian unity is only possible when
effected by the one Holy Spirit. This
unity amidst diversity is represented
under the figure of the human body.
l. The human body has many men,
bers, each performing distinct func-
lions for the good of the body ". 12).
2. The members are mutually re-
lated and independent wv. 1910.
8. The place of each member is de-
termined by the choice of God ". 1S).
4. The members which are least at
tractive and least conspicuous are
most important wv. 21-23).
w. Love, the Spirits Best Gift
Il Cor. u :31-13).
1. The pre-eminence of love wv.
1-3).
II lEduStcHuSs
~ Speaking with tongues.
(2) The gift of prophecy.
(3) Faith of the most vigorous kind.
az Philanthropy of the most gen.
erous sort.
(5) Heroic devotion leading to mar
tyrdom.
2. The attributes of love wv. 40.
(D Long-suffering and kind.
(2) Free from envy.
(3) Freedom from boasting.
az Decorous and well behaved.
(5) Unselfish.
(6) Does not give way to passion;
is not quick tempered.
90 Thinks no evil; does not impute
evil motives to others; is not sus-
,picious.
(S) Delights not in evil.
10y Beareth all things.
(1O) Is trustful, hopeful and firm.
8. The permanence of love wv.
Is-13).
Prophecy as prediction will be full
filled. Prophecy as teaching will be
brought to an end in the day when
teaching is not needed. Tongues shall
cease, for as the languages of earth
were caused by Gods judgment for
sin, so shall Christ's redemption bring
the nations back to one tongue. Knowl-
edge shall be done away with the
coming of a wider and nobler intelli-
gence. The twilight will be lost in
day, childhood, in maturity. Love
will always abide, for God is love.
5. The comparative value of prophe-
Icy and tongues Q4:1-25).
Prophecy is given the highest place
because it is to declare Gods message
to men. Its primary meaning is to
forthtell. To speak with tongues means
to speak in other languages for the
{ 7. tP'ss OF showing the presence Oh