The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-05-11
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH Ct
By HIGHT c. MOORE

Golden Text-So we, being
many, are one body in Christ.
and every one members one OF
another. Romans 1926.
The founder and builder o
the church is Jesus who, afte'
Peters great confession OF HI
iMessiahship, declared that upoI
this rock he would build nj:
church Matthew 16; 1920 ant
in two agricultural parallels pic
tured its mysterious and phen
emenal growth from seed-tifne &c
harvest MARK 4: 1851
The power and progress of the
church are illustrated in the
church at Jerusalem which under
the preaching of Peter on the
dav of Pentecost had great in
gathering end continued in the
faith and fellowship of the Cos
pei (Acts 2:41-47.f
The activities and achievements
of the church are presented by
Paul who presented the church
as affording it's members FIELD
for the exercises of their spirit
nal gifts (Romans 12:4-8), as
governed bv Christ its sovereign
head (Epresians L: 1928, as
built on the foundation of Apost-
les and prophets with Christ
Jesus himself as the chief corner
stone (Ephesians 2:12-22). as
knit together in a great seven
fold unity and charged with a
challenging program (Ephesians
lilo, as the object of Christs
love which he will present unto
himself as a glorious church not
having spot or wrinkle or any
such thing (Ephesians 5:22-2D,
and as the church of the living
God. the pillar and ground OF the
truth Il Timothy 3:15).
POWER OF THE CHRISTIAN
CHURCH (Acts y
The Church at Jerusalem ex-
emplified the power and progress
of the Christian church. 1t num-
bered only about 100 including
the II apostles. But it was a
waiting, united, praying, Bible
reading, and now Spirit-tllled'
witnessing. drawing church. OBJ
serve % the requisites to mem,
bership in it: The people heard
the truth preached by Peter: they
were aroused and convicted of
their sins: they inquired what
they should do: they were IN,
strueted by Peter to repent and
be baptized, to rely upon the d.
vine promise and to save them
selves from their crooked genera
ton; many received the word and
were thus converted: the converts
were Immediately baptized; and
by baptism they were added unto
or Joined to the church, the num-
Der that day being about 5000.
Note or that the duties of MEM
| bership, included four vital and
J fundamental things: Unwavering
| loyalty To New Testament teach
| ing, steadfast fellowship in serv-
| ice, strict observance of the
Lords Supper, and faithful main
tenance of Worship. Note 90
the cooperative program of
membership was shown in the
holy awe that they felt and
spread, bringing fear to every
soul, in the supernatural power
THAT was sought and wrought,
and in the community of goods
for distribution to all according
as any man had need.
PROGRAM OF THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Church at Ephesus was
called upon TO exemplify the &C
tivities and achievements of a
Christian church. Paul. then at
Rome, prisoner in the Lord"
wrote to the Ephesian Christians
impressing upon them at this
point two great imperatives: %
Walk together: for the Christian
church should be united in Christ,
Human conduct should aim ia
measure up to the divine calling
| Humility is necessary. There
must be patient forbearance and
honest effort must be made to
keen the unity of the Spirit. That
is the only unity that can be held
in place by the bond of peace
The unity that unifies is seven
fold: First, there is the one body
referring to the: local church it's
sell as a unity in organization
obligation, and outlook. Observe
that there is union of the Trim
ity (the Holy Spirit, the Lord
Jesus and God the Father) and
also a union of three human
qualities faith in Christ, bap
tisn into the church, and hope OF
heavenl. Sc there is the one
Spirit who is our comforter anc
| guide. There is one hope which
like a rainbow, overreaches the
eternal future. There is on
Lord who is entitled to sway tn,
seepter over our lives. There i
one faith which we must have il
order to be saved. There is on
BAPTISM prescribed for those VIII
united with the church. There i
one God and Father sovereign
over all, source of all life an.
blessing and our sustainer in Thu
life and that which is to come.
t2} Work together: for IN