The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-07-16
Lesson for July 10
SOCIAL SERVICE IN THE EARLY
CHURCH

LESSON TEXT - Acts 4:32-s5. II
Corinthians S:1-9.
GOLDEN TExT-He said: at is more
blessed to give than to receive."-Acts
2O:35.
PRIMARY ToPIC-How Jesus Friends
Shared.
JUNIOR ToP1C-when Christians See
Others In Need.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TcPIC-Christians Sharing With 9th
ers.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-Christians and Social Service
Social service In the early Church
was by-product of the gospel and not
the gospel itself. Those who are saved
by the gospel wifi show their concern
for their fellows, especially those who
are fellow members Of the body Of
Christ.
!. Characteristics Of the Primitive
Church (Acts 4:31-35).
]. 1t was a praying church ". 31).
The early Christians for every want and
need betook themselves to God in pray
er. Their faith caused them to go to
the living God, believing that their
needs would be supplied.
2. The Spirit-filled church ". 81.
When they prayed, the place was shak-
en- wherein they were gathered togeth-
err and they were all filed with the
Holy Spirit.
3. 1t was church which had great
holiness In preaching the Word Of God
". 3D. The ministers of the Spirit
filed church will not offer any apology
for the Bible, but will preach 1t.
4. 1t was a united church ". 32).
They were all Of one heart and soul.
8. 1t was generous church ". 32).
They held nothing back from those
who had need. The needs were sup
piled from a common fund. This was
not Communism any more than when
the church today helps from COM
mon fund those who have need.
6. The ministers had a powerful tes-
tlmony ". 33).
z. 1t was a church whose members
possessed unblemished character ".
33). Great grace was upon them all.
u. Generous Act Of BarnabaS (Acts
4:S6, 37).
He sold a piece of land and turned
over all the proceeds to be used for
those In need. 1t Is not said that Bar.
nabas sold all the land he had. His
act, therefore, cannot in any real sense
be used as precedent for commu-
nifty Of goods in the church.
Ill. Stephen the Deacon (Acts 6:1-S).
AS soon as the church had relief
from external troubles, difficulties arose
within. Up to this time 1t would seem
that the problems Of the church were
in the hands of the apostles. A con-
gregatiOnal meeting was called, the
case placed before the church, and
the church instructed to select sew
en- men Of good reputation and Spirit
filed, to administer the temper
alities, giving the apostles time for
prayer and the ministry of Gods Word.
Among the seven deacons thus chosen,
Stephen had first place. While en-
gagged in his duties as a deacon, he
slrang into the light as an eloquent
and powerful preacher.
w. The Good Deeds of Dorcas (Acts
9:36-43).
Dorcas was a practical Christian
woman. She was full of good works
and almsdeeds which she did, not what
she talked of doing. Her death was a
real loss. If all protesting Christian
women would use their needles as Dor
cas- did, there would be more real tes-
timony for Christ.
v. Christian Stewardship III Cor.
8:1-9).
l. Examples Of true Christian be-
nevolence wv. 1-5). The liberality of
these Macedonian churches exhibits
practically every principle and motive
entering into Christian giving.
a. The source of true giving ". u.
is said to be the grace of God.
b. They gave from the depths OF
their poverty ". p.
c. Their willingness surpassed their
ability ". 81.
d. They were insistent on being al.
lowed the privilege of giving ". A..
e. 1ney nrSt gave themselves TO the
Lord ". 81.
2. Emulation Of Macedonian benev.
clence urged wv. 6-15).
a. Not as a command ". 81. Ac'
cCptable giving must be spontaneous.
b. AS proof of the sincerity Of love
Nv. 81. Sincere love is benevolent &C
tlon toward the object loved.
c. AS the completion and harmony
Of Christian character ". y.
d. The self-sacrifcing example Of
Christ ". %.
e. The true principle upon which
gifts are acceptable to God wv. 1922
The motive of the glver determines the
value Of the gift.
t. Every Christian should give some
thing wv. 1915.
ph:1asanLw oE p.eoA