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JANUARY 16, 1944 CHRISTIANS IN THE EARLY CENTURIES A cts 8 :4-8 By Lorraine Coffman Austin Introduction In the. first decade after Calvary nearly all the several thousand be lievers in Jerusalem had personal memories of the Lord In the “days of His flesh,” and could say to one an other, “Remember that time on the temple steps when He' said . . .” The small children would climb into the lap of grandmother Mary for a beautiful story, “Tell us again about the time He picked up a whole arm ful of babies and blessed them!” But when those children grew up they could only tell their children. “My father, who knew Him well, said . . .” So the human line was stretched thin by time until in all the earth there was left only the aged John who had actually known the Lord of glory. But the wonderful difference is that, we can be as close and personally ac quainted with the Lord as John was. We are not separated from Him by the widening gulf of nineteen centuries; time is abolished in the church where membership means knowing One Per-' son. In a very real sense we are also members of the church at Jerusalem, A. D. 35. The continuing life of Christ is the continuity of the church! For Those Who Have Topics, I. THE PROBLEMS OF THE EARLY CHURCH. 1. Who or what was the final au thority for the new church? Remember there was no New Testament to which to appeal in controversy. Not until 54 A. D. was the first book of it written (1 Thess.). There was also a vast flood of uninspired and contradictory leg ends circulated among the people. An example of their solution to this prob lem is found in Acts 15 where Paul went to Jerusalem demonstrating how the church looked to the “apostles and elders” for the mind of Christ in de-- batable issues. 2. What place had the law? This problem was complicated by bigoted Jews and licentious heathen. The Je
rusalem church considered the gospel the crowning glory of Judaism and did not dream of quitting the temple. They were “zealous of the law” , (Acts 3:1; 15:5; 21:20-24; 22:12-17; 25:8; 28:23). Note the settlement in Acts 15 where salvation by grace alone tri umphs. 3. Was salvation for Gentiles? To the first Jewish Christians it was al most inconceivable that other than Israelites could be saved (cf. Acts 9:15; 10:45,11:18,19; 13:42-45; 15:3). 4. Which of the church’s writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit? Have one C. E. member consult a church history book for this information. It was not until about 180 A. -D. that the canon was compiled and the spuri ous discarded. II. THE PERSECUTIONS OF THE EARLY CHURCH. Since they loudly proclaimed the resurrection, the first bitter opposition was from the Sadducees who admitted no resurrection (cf. Acts 4:1-3; 5:17, 40). The Jewish council shed the first blood at Stephen’s stoning (7:58) and started a fiery scourge on the church. Saul (unregenerated Paul) was an ac tive participant before his conversion. Then with the coming of Nero, thou sands of Christians met t o r t u r o u s deaths. A good history of the burning of Rome and the persecution of the Christians will provide challenging reading. 'll!. ‘ THE PRAYERS OF THE EARLY CHURCH. Notice first what they did not pray for: prosperity, large congregations, or for the Lord to send other people as missionaries. They all were mission aries. They prayed continually (Acts 6:4; 12:5). They praised at all times (Acts 2:47; 16:25). They asked for mir acles (Acts 4:30), for boldness (Acts 4:29), and for anointing (Acts 6:6; 13:3). IV. THE P OWE R OF THE EARLY CHURCH. It' was literally as "terrible as an army with banners.” The Lord prom ised them power (Acts 1:8), and that they would do greater miracles. Con sequently great and notable miracles were the order of the day (Acts 3:9; 6:8; 15:12; 28:8). Such was their power that they were finally accused of turn ing “the world upside down” ! (Acts 17:6). . JANUARY 23, 1944. TORCHBEARERS IN THE DARK AGES \ H ebrews 11:36-40 By Ralph M. Hetrick ' Introduction Dark periods are to be found in hu man history during every age. When we think of the Dark Ages, however, usually we mean that period of time
This Year Give CHRISTIAN FICTION The ideal gift for young and old. CHRISTMAS For Choir and MATERIAL Sunday School Programs • Plays CANDY BOXES Children Don't forget them at. Christmas. Scripture CHRISTMAS CARDS , Beautiful Box Assortment at 50c & $1 ,• Personal Cards with Scripture Texts Your name printed free—25 for $1.00 Your Gift Problems Solved at BEREAN BOOK ROOMS The Church Supply Bouse of the West 405 So. Hill St. Los Angeles 13, Calif. Jfu r §9mtr j f Jbmroltaarh NEW IMPROVED Manual o f Visual Teaching “ One picture Is worth - 10,000 words '* interest by combining word with action. All draw* ingsrequired are in theManual, with simple, easily understood instructions. Publishedquarterlyattheamazinglylowpriceol $1.25 Other Flannelboard lessons and accessories for every purpose* Catalog free. Send 10cfor complete samples of SundaySchoolquarterlies andpapers, CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. 1507 N. Third St. Harrlsbarg, Pa. BUSKING THE GOSPEL TO RUSSIANS! The Russian Gospel Assn) of Chicago is sup porting Russian and Ukrainian speaking mission aries in South America, Australia, Alaska, Can ada, United States, and is helping to-'reach the „ Jewish people in Cuba, as well as sending money direct to Russia and helping to spread the Gospel there. Recently we received a letter from the Evangelical' Christians of Moscow reporting God’s blessing and more religious freedom in Russia at the present time. We must rush financial aid to Russia now. The Russian Bible Institute re-opened the first week of October in .Toronto, Canada. The Lord is. blessing the ministry of printing tracts, booklets, and magazines in the Russian language. Financial help is greatly needed at this time, and we would appreciate your fellowship in rushing the' Gospel to the Russians, thus helping us to Win souls for Christ. Bend your gifts and make checks payable to the RUSSIAN GOSPEL ASSOCIATION Rev. Peter, Deyneka, General Director. 64 W. Randolph St., Dept. KB. Chicago, 1. Ill | • ■ Exercises Teachthe younger children the International Sunday School lesson by means of this instructive, fascinating, flannelboard method. Cut* outs enable you to hold the
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