The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-07-02
Lesson for July S
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
LESSON TEXT-Acts 1914; 2:1-S.
GOLDEN TEXT-But we shall re-
ceive power, after that the Holy Ghost
is come upon you: and We shall De
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea, and in Samaria, ana
unto the uttermost part OF the eartn.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus' Friends
Carrying on His Work.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Jesus' Friends Car
rying on His Work.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-The Coming of New Power
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Empowered for a World Task.
!. The Holy Spirit Promised (Acts
1863.
/. The disciples question w. 81.
They said, lord, wilt thou at this
time restore again the kingdom to
Israeli" They were right in their ex-
pectation of the kingdom, for 1t had
been covenanted to David I'll Sam.
1916, predicted by the prophets, and
declared to be at hand by John the
Baptist and Christ himself. However,
they were in darkness as to the call
ing and establishing Of the church.
2. Times and seasons in Gods hands
". y. Christ turned their attention
from the desire to know times and
seasons, which belong alone to God,
to their supreme duty. The Christians
supreme obligation Is to preach re-
pentance and remission Of sins
through the shed blood Of Jesus Christ
to all the world duke "a :46-49) in
the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts
1:S).
8. The missionary program ". 81.
The Holy Spirit came to empower
them to preach the gospel to the world.
q. In Jerusalem. This witnessing was
done by the twelve Immediately fol-
lowing Pentecost.
b. In Judea and Samaria after the
hands of wicked prosecutors were
laid upon them.
c. Unto the uttermost parts of the
earth. Beginning with the first for
eign missionary enterprise this work
has been carried on with varying de-
grees of success till the present time.
II. The Holy Spirit Given (Acts
2:1-S).
l. The time of ". ~. 1t was on the
"Day of Pentecost." Pentecost means
fifty. 1t meant, therefore, the feast
that was held fifty days after the wave
sheaf was offered (Lev. BIS, 16). 1t
was observed by presenting two loaves
made of new wheat Uev. 23:1O.
These loaves were baked with leaven
while leaven was excluded from the
Passover Feast Uev. 20 :6). The rea-
son for this was that the Passover
Feast typifed Christ's sacrificial
death, while Pentecost represented the
Church, composed Of Jews and Cen
tiles-the two loaves.
2. Upon whom the Spirit came ". 1
CT. 1:13-15). The twelve and others
to the number Of 120. The gift of the
Spirit was not merely for the twelve
but for all believers.
8. Marks Of the Spirit wv. 2-8).
a. The sound Of mighty wind ".
q. This suggests the all pervasive
life-giving power Of the Holy Spirit.
b. Tongues of flame ". 81. Each Of
the 120 was crowned with such a
tongue. Tongues" show the practical
purpose Of the Spirits gifts. and Sire"
indicates his purifying energy.
C. Speaking in other tongues wv. 4,
81. Men of every nation heard the
gospel in their own tongue.
III. The Holy Spirit Working (Acts
2:14-47).
/. Peters sermon wv. 14-40). This
sermon is as wonderful as the gift of
o. tongues. 1t demonstrates the presence
and power Of the Spirit, because Peter
was a Galilean fisherman without lit
erary training. His analysis is per-
feet. He begins with a brief defense
and scriptural explanation of the
phenomenon Of tongues wv. 14-2D,
and follows by threefold argument
proving the messiahship of Jesus. In
his conclusion he appealed to them to
repent and be baptized In the name
of Jesus.
2. Three thousand converted (v.24).
Many people were convicted of their
sins.
8. The abiding fellowship wv. AZ
AZ. The evidence that the Spirit had
really come and that his work was
real was that
a. The converts continued steadfast-
ly in the apostles doctrine ". >42).
b. They continued in fellowship
with the apostles ". 42). The surest
way to grow is to keep in fellowship
with Christians.
c. In using the means Of grace ".
42). They continued in the breaking
of bread. God has instituted ordi-
nances in his house.
d. In prayer ". 42). The apostolic
church was praying church.
e. In praising God ". Az. The ex-
perience Of the indwelling Spirit is-
sues in praise to God.
Everlasting Arms
Christ beareth me good company