The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-07-02

come upon you: and We shall be wit
nesseS unto me both in Jerusalem, and
in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto
the uttermost part of the earth.-Acts
1:S.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Jesus Keeps His
Promise.
JUNIOR ToPIC-A Promise Made an,
Kept.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-New Power Through the Holy
Spirit.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
ToPIC-Empowered for the World Task.
]. The Missionary Program Q:6-S).
The work incumbent upon the Church
is witnessing to Christ's gracious sal
walton to all the nations. After this is
done, there will follow the preaching
of the gospel of the kingdom by con-
verted Israelites (Acts Is :14-17; CT.
Matt. 24:14). This was not clear to
the disciples, therefore they put the
question, "Wilt thou at this time re-
store the kingdom to Israeli" The
Davidic kingdom shall be established,
but not until after the gospel Of the
grace of God is preached and the body
OF christ is completed.
1. In Jerusalem ". 81. This was
done by the twelve Immediately fol-
lowing Pentecost.
2. In Judea and Samaria ". 81.
This was done by the disciples after
the hands Of the prosecutors were laid
on them. Not only the twelve but
many others took part in this.
8. Unto the uttermost part of the
earth ". 81. Beginning with the first
foreign missionary enterprise, this
work has been carried on till the pres
ent time.
II. The Coming of the Spirit (Acts
2:1-11).
The power of the early Church was
the Holy Spirit. The watchword of
Gods mightiest men throughout the
centuries has been mot by might, nor
by power, but by my spirit, saith the
Lord of hosts" Czech. 4:6).
L The time ". u. 1t was on the
day Of Pentecost. By "day Of Pent-
ecost" Is meant the feast which was
held fifty days after the wave sheaf
was offered Nev. %: rs, 16). 1t was
observed by presenting two loaves made
of the new meal (Lev. 2S:17). These
Ioaves were baked with leaven, while
ieaven was rigidly excluded from the
passover feast (Lev. 1880.
2. Upon whom the Spirit came ". ~.
CT. 1875. The twelve and others to
the number Of 120. The coming Of the
Spirit was not merely for the twelve
but for all believers, all the members
of the body Of Christ. They were in
enc place with one accord waiting for
the fulfillment of the Fathers promise
(Luke "a :49). If the church would
be with one accord in one place, Won
derful blessings might still be expected.
3. The marks of the Spirit wv. 2-4).
These marks were external and in
ternal.
a. External. ~ The sign of a
mighty wind. There was no wind, only
the sound thereof, suggesting the all
pervasive, life-giving influence of the
Holy Spirit. (2) Tongues of flame.
Each of the 100 was crowned with such
a tongue. The tongues show the prac-
teal purpose of the Spirits gifts and
the fire indicates his purifying energy,
purging away the dross and making fit
lis witnesses. 81 Speaking in for
eign tongues. For these humble Cali
leans thus to speak caused great
amazement.
b. Internal. This is seen in the
transformation wrought in the dis
ciples. They now have great cour-
age and self-possession. Peter, who a
little while before was covering be-
fore a Jewish maid, now with lion
boldness stood befo-e the thousands of
Jerusalem, and little later before the
chief rulers of the city, and declared
that they had murdered their King.
III. The Converting Power of the
Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-42).
Many people were convicted of their
sins-about 5000 repented and were
baptized. This revival was real be-
cause
/. They continued steadfast in the
apostles teaching ". 42). They did
not grow cold or run after every new
teacher that came along.
2. They continued in fellowship with
the apostles ". 42). The surest way
to grow is to keep in fellowship with
Christians. Spiritual Indifference is
sure to follow the neglect of the fell
lowship of the brethren in Christ.
8. They continued in the use of the
means of grace ". 42). They broke
bread together.
A. In prayer. THE apostolic church
was a praying church. The Christian
life cannot be lived without prayer.
Works of True Merit
Works of true merit are seldom very