The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-07-16
Lesson for July 10
SOCIAL SERVICE IN THE EARLY
CHURCH

LESSON TEXT-Acts 1925; 6:1-4;
1860; II Cor. 9:1-7.
GOLDEN TEXT have Showed you
all things, how that so laboring ye
ought to support the weak, and to
remember the words of the Lord
Jesus. how he said, 1t is more blessed
to give than to receive.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Sharing With
Friends.
JUNIOR TOPIC = Sharing With
Friends.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Christians Sharing With Others. ,
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Generosity of the Early
Christians.
Social service as such was not
department of church activity. How
ever, the early church was most ready
to discharge it's social obligations.
Members of the body Of Christ are
sympathetically related.
I. Characteristics of the Early
Church (Acts 4:31-35).t
l. 1t was a praying church ". 81.
These early Christians for every. need
betook themselves to God in prayer.
2. It was a Spirit-filled church ".
81. When they prayed, the place
wherein they were gathered together
was shaken and they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit.
3. It was church with bold tes-
timony (y. 81. The ministers of the
early church did not offer any apology
for the Bible, but expended their en-
ergy in fearlessly preaching it.
4. 1t was united church ". 32).
They were all of one heart and soul.
S. 1t was a generous church ". 32).
They held nothing back from those
who had need.
6. It's ministers had a powerful tes-
timony ". 33).
Z. Its members had an unblemished
character ". 33).
u. Appointment of Deacons (Acts
6:1-4.
/. The occasion ". u. The church
was threatened with disruption over
suspected partially in the distribu-
ton of aims. The Grecians felt dis
eliminated against in that their wild
ows were neglected in the "daily min
istrations."
2. The issue met wv. 2-6). A con-
gregational meeting was called, the
case placed before the church, and the
church instructed to select seven men
Of good report, filled with the Holy
Spirit and wisdom to administer the
Temperatures of the church, leaving
the apostles freedom for prayer and
the ministry of Gods Word.
8. The ministry of the deacons ".
y. They looked after the poor, but
while distributing aims, they were
witnessing for Christ. Social service
is a by-product of Christianity and
not Christianity itself.
III. The Raising Of Dorcas tActs
9:36-39).
/. Her ministry ". SO CT. v. 39).
Her life was full of good works, such
as making coats and garments for the
poor. Her noble ministry has set in
motion countless numbers of needles,
and has given incentive to many noble
women to follow her example. The
good deeds were not merely those
which she intended to do, but (which
she did"
2. Her death ". 81. In the midst
Of life full of good works she was
overtaken by death.
8. Peter sent for ". 3S). In their
distress the disciples sent two men
urgently to request Peter to come to
them. Having heard of the healing
Of Aeneas at LYDIA, which was near,
they no doubt believed that he could
restore Dorcas to life.
4. Dorcas raised wv. 39-4D. In an
swer to Peters prayer Dorcas was
presented alive to the saints and
widows"
s. The effect ". 42). So astounding
was this miracle that many believed
in the Lord"
~. Ministering to the Saints III
Cor. 9:1-O.
The saints in need were Christians
at Jerusalem. Many were impover-
ished because of embracing Christian
ity. Sending money to the saints at
Jerusalem was an expression of affec-
ton on the part Of these Gentle
Christians for the Jews. AS an in
centive to giving Paul shows:
/. That the volume of reaping is
based upon the volume of sowing
". g..
2. There should be heart purpose
". y. This calls for intelligence as
to the object in giving.
8. Giving should not be Of necessity
". y. No particular value accrues to
the giver who only responds under
pressure.
4. God loves cheerful giver ". y.
Right understanding of responsibility
toward God with reference to tenn
poral possessions will make giving a
glorious privilege.
All Who Come
Christ saveth unto the uttermost all