The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-02-28


away lying, speak every man truth
with his neighbor: for we are members
one of another. Ephesians 4:25.
PRIMARY TOPIC - Peters Friend
Helps People.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Peter Stands for
Truth and Honesty.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
1C-The Sin of Lying.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-Modern Forms of Hypocrisy.
l. Ananias and Sapphire (Acts
5:1-11).
The new community formed after
PentecOst is now for the first time
called the Church. Since the Chris
tians have now broken with Judaism
the success of the new community de-
ponds upon its gaining recognition.
The Church is now superseding the
Mosaic economy. 1t was now to be
Gods dwelling place, as hitherto 1t had
been in the Tabernacle and Temple.
Their sanctity was now being trans
ferred to the Church. This fact the
Church itself must learn as we'll as
the Jewish people who surrounded it.
l. Their sin wv. /, p. 1t was a
hypocritical imitation of the generous
act of Barnabas a 80, 81. Because
of the particular distress of the early
Church following its open rupture with
Judaism, its members for a time had
a community of goods" This was not
universal nor permanent. Ananias
kept back part of the proceeds from
the sale of his land, while pretending
to have brought it all His wife was
a partner in it. They wanted the
honor Of generosity without paying
the price thereof.
2. Their judgment wv. 3-10).
Physical death was visited upon An-
anias and Sapphire for their sin. They
lied to the Holy Ghost in keeping back
part of the price of their land. They
were not obliged to sell their land or,
having sold it, to bring any of their
money and place it in the common
fund People today are walking in the
way of Ananias and Sapphire when
they make profession of Christianity
for temporal gain and pleasure
Preaching the sermons of Moody,
Spurgeon, ETC., without giving credit
is another form of this evil. God is
passing judgment upon many for their
sins of this kind Il Cor. IL :27-30).
8. The effect wv. 11-16).
a. Great fear came upon The Church
and upon all who heard of these things
". ny. The Church should be re-
garded as holy because of it's being the
very dwelling place of the Most High
God. Irreverence is an outstanding sin
of this age.
b. Multitudes of men and women
were added to the Lord wv. IA, 15).
The fame of Peter was spread far and
wide, so that the people were anxious
to come under his shadow. The
proper recognition of the holiness of
the Church, the body of Christ, will
bring many to Christ for salvation.
C. Hypocrites did not dare to join
" 13). The vindcation of the holi-
ness of the Church deferred none but
hypocrites from joining. No unre-
generate person and nothing unhaI-
lowed has any place in the Church.
II. Simon the Sorcerer (Acts Sis
pa.
l. His wicked request wv. IS, 1917.
When Simon saw that Peters power
to work wonders exceeded his own
and that this power was received
through the laying on of hands, he
offered money for the gift. This act
revealed his hypocrisy. He professed
faith in Christ and was baptized, and
even followed the apostles for a selfish
end. Traffic in sacred things Is called
"Simony," from the name of this sor-
,cerer. Making merchandise of Chris
tianity is committing the same sin.
Using the name of Christ for the pur-
pose of gain is to be guilty of this sin.
2. Peters severe rebuke wv.
2O-22).
a. "Thy money perish with thee"
This implies that Peters judgment was
that Simon was unregenerate and that
he himself was in the way of perish
ing.
b. "Thy heart is not right in the
sight of God" One whose inner life
delights in God could not seek the
Spirits power for selfish reasons.
c. Repent of thy wickedness and
pray to God for forgiveness" While
Peter recognized that this man was
unsaved, he did not regard him as be-
yond the hope of salvation, but urged
him to turn from his sin and ask for
forgiveness.
d. Thou art in the gall of bitter
ness and in the bond Of iniquity." The
one and only thing for this man to do
was to repent and sue for forgiveness.
Simon requested Peters prayer to the
end that he might escape divine judg-
ment.