October, 1934
368
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
munication by the actions of others. One may join a denomination by making proper application to the authorities governing the particular body with which he wishes to unite, but no application is ever made to become a member of the church which is the Lord’s body. The Holy Spirit intro duces the believing sinner into the body by His baptism, and this operation continually reinforces the membership of the true church. And thus the church will continue to be maintained upon the earth until the Lord Himself shall come. Points and Problems 1. The title of this lesson is given as “The Christian as Church Member.” Taken in connection with the first selected pass age (Matt. 5:13-16), the title is, of course, anachronistic. When our Lord spoke these words, the church was not in existence (cf. Matt. 16:18). However, He was speaking to men who were to become members of the church when it was created on Pente cost; therefore the words certainly may be applied to its members. We are, ac cording to our Lord, three things: salt, light, and a city. There is an entire Bible study in each of these words. 2. Verse 15 employs a figure which, taken in connection with other references, contains almost a prophecy of the church. “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick.” Com pare with this the passage in Revelation 1:12-20, where our Lord is seen walking in the midst of seven golden “candle sticks” ; and verse 20 declares specifically that these candlesticks are “seven church es.” If believers are the “light,” this light is concentrated and made visible by the union of believers in “churches.” Nothing could more powerfully teach the necessity for Christian fellowship. When we with draw from other believers and attempt to live the Christian life in isolation, our light makes but a feeble impact upon an unbelieving world. The “candlestick” is important. 3. The passage in Acts 2:41-47 presents a beautiful picture of the newborn church. It is characterized by seven distinct activi ties: First, Teaching (v. 42). The Re vised Version uses this word instead of “doctrine.” Second, Fellowship. In the Greek it is “the fellowship,” indicating something unique. Third, Worship. The “breaking of bread” represented the very highest act of worship. Fourth, Prayer. Fifth, Mutual Helpfulness »(vs. 44, 45). Sixth, Testimony (v. 46). They were “daily with one accord in the temple,” the place where every Jew eventually came. Seventh, Praise (v. 47). Golden T ext Illustration An old sea captain was riding on the train toward Philadelphia, and a young man sat down beside him. He said, “Young man, where are you going?” “I am going to Philadelphia to live,” re plied the young man. “Have you letters of introduction?” asked the old captain. , “Yes,” said the young man, and he pulled some of them out. “Well,” said the old sea captain, “haven’t you a church certificate?” “Oh, yes,” replied the young man, “I didn’t suppose you would want to look at that.” “Yes,” said the sea captain, “I want to see that. As soon as you get to Philadel phia, present that to some Christian church. I am an old sailor, and I have been up and down in the world, and it’s my rule, as soon as I get into port, to fasten my ship fore
and a ft to the wharf, although it may cost a little wharfage, rather than have my ship out in the stream, floating hither and thither w ith the tide.” —T. D e W itt T almage . Praising God in His H ouse A cts 2:41-47 Memory Verse: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psa. 122:1). Approach : Last week we talked about God’s law of love, and how we were going to try to live by that law all of this week.
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T o d ay you surely have some things to tell about how that law worked, haven’t you? L e s s o n S t o r y : And now don’t you think we should stop and praise God for the way His law of love has worked this week? Do you know that one of the rea
Beloved old hymns of this book lift the heart to God in worship, praise and invocation. Its stirring gospel songs stretch forth arms of appeal and invita tion to all men. Song Book of the Nation 4‘Tabernacle Hymns NumberThree” is written out of deep spiritual conviction. Aflame with power thesehymns of Devotion,Atonement, Second Com ing, etc., also children’s songs choir numbers and solos, havewon world-wideacclaim and recognition. PRESENT LOW PRICES; Per 100, silkxloth, $50; bristol $32.50. Not prepaid. Fully orchestrated. Write today for returnable sample copy and new “No-Cost song book plans. TABERNACLE PUBLISHING CO. 360 P North Waller Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
sons why we come to God’s house each Sunday is that we may together praise Him for all of the good things which He has done for us? We read in the Bible about the first church that was formed after Jesus left this earth. The Bible says that the be lievers continued “daily with one accord in the temple. . . Praising God, and hav ing favor with all the people.” Then we read in another place in the Bible where King David said: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” I wonder whether we feel glad to come to church. And then there is another thing about a church. It is not just a place where we may come and praise God together. It is a place where people may come who have never heard of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is a place, too, from which Christian people are sent out to all parts of the world to tell the gospel story to those who have never heard it. So if we are Christians, we should be long to a church, that we may have a part in its great work and may truly say: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Object Lesson S trange C hums Objects: A toy lamb and a toy pig, or outlines cut from cardboard; a cardboard corral; and three saucers filled respectively with dirt, mud, and ink. Lesson: If I should tell you that these animals were friends, you would think it very strange indeed. The Iamb has a com mon name, while the pig has rather an un common name. The lamb’s name is Ruth, and the pig’s name is Orpah. They were given these names because they were like the two girls who are named in the Bible. Ruth Lamb represents many boys and girls here this morning who have accepted Christ. Orpah Pig is like those who have never accepted Christ. Pigs always like to get in the mud, while lambs never like to get even their feet wet. This is because they have different natures. When a boy or girl accepts Christ as Saviour, that one gets a new heart and a new nature. These two friends do , not travel long together. Orpah Pig wants to stop and wallow wherever she finds a mudhole. Ruth Lamb does not like the mud, and it makes her very unhappy to see Orpah so un clean. Ruth gets tired of trying to keep Orpah out of the mud, and she turns in at
in the STARS By W . M A T E LA N D M A C K
Have you read about the seven as tronomical signs that appeared in the heavens in 1917, which foreshadowed the release ot Jerusalem'/ Scientists tell us we are approach ing another magnetic field of tailing stars; Saturn and Jupiter, the two major planets ot our contellation, have entered and have been hit by falling meteors.— Matthew 24-29. Read what the heavens have to say about 1936 in prophecy. A book that is different. Forty pages oeautituily illustrated. Price 35 cents or four copies tor $1 00
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