Chapter VII: Part TWO

II. Having studied the history we now look at the =General Aspects of the Pentecostal Church=.

1. =Its locality=: entirely in Judea, and apparently in and around Jerusalem. There is no mention during this early period of churches in Galilee, although most of the earliest members were Galileans (Acts 1. 11; 2. 7). Individual believers doubtless were to be found throughout the land, but outside of Jerusalem they were not yet gathered together in assemblies and not yet endowed with the Spirit.

2. =Its membership= was composed wholly of Jews. As yet not a single Gentile had been received, and apparently there was no thought of Gentile believers. Christianity began as a Jewish society. Three classes of Jews were embraced in its membership: 1.) _Hebrews_, or Palestinian Jews. 2.) _Grecians_ or Hellenists, Jews of the Dispersion. 3.) _Proselytes_, or Gentiles who had embraced Judaism and received circumcision (Acts 6. 5).

3. =The qualifications for membership= were: 1.) _Repentance_, which meant not so much sorrow as decision for Christ. 2.) _Faith in Jesus_ as Christ; i. e., submission to Jesus as the true King of Israel. 3.) _Baptism_ in the name of Jesus the Christ as the outward form of consecration.

4. =The spirit of the Pentecostal Church.= 1.) In theory, and for the most part in fact, every member _possessed the Holy Spirit_, an abounding, directing spiritual life. Every member was conscious of the immediate presence of God, and lived in this fellowship. 2.) This inspired a _Christian fellowship_, the love of the brotherhood. 3.) As a result of this divine and human fellowship came _liberal giving_ to each other's needs. There was a voluntary and limited "community of goods," the rich giving freely to aid the poor; which led to some insincere imitation. See the contrast of Barnabas and Ananias (Acts 4. 34-37; 5. 1-11).

5. =Doctrines.= The doctrinal aspects of Christianity at that early period were less prominent than its spirit. As yet there was no such theological system as arose later. Three great doctrines were held fervently: 1.) _The resurrection of Jesus_; that he had risen and was living. 2.) _The Messiahship of Jesus_; that he was the prince of the true spiritual kingdom of Israel. 3.) _The return of Jesus as Christ_; that he would soon come again to earth.

6. =Worship and institutions.= These were: 1.) _The temple worship_ attended by the disciples of Christ as by all worshiping Jews (Acts 2. 46; 3. 1). 2.) _The synagogue services_, twice each week; held everywhere throughout the city; with Scripture reading, prayer and testimony. 3.) "_The upper room_" was for a time the headquarters of the church; but Solomon's porch in the temple soon took its place (Acts 5. 12). 4.) "Breaking bread," which was the Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper; at that time observed not in public assemblies but as a family ordinance, at home (Acts 2. 42, 46). 5.) _The baptism_ of new members.

7. =Government.= Scarcely any government or discipline was needed in a church where the Spirit of God was recognized as dwelling in each member. The apostles were revered as leaders, but were not exactly rulers over the body of believers. "The Seven" (Acts 6. 3) were not officials or "deacons," but laymen charged with specific duties.

8. =Literature.= 1.) _The Old Testament_; familiar to all, read in the synagogue, was seen now in a new light and with new meaning. 2.) _The teachings of Jesus_, as yet unwritten, were in the memory of most of the members who had heard his words; and especially in the memory of the apostles; but no books of the New Testament were by this time in writing.

9. =Leaders of the church.= 1.) Throughout this period _Peter_ stands at the front as the ruling spirit of the church, by his endowments of mind, and especially by his promptness in word and act. 2.) With him stands _John_ (Acts 3. 1; 4. 19). 3.) _Barnabas_ won notice by his liberality and gifts of preaching (Acts 4. 36, 37). His name means "the speaker" or "the preacher." 4.) At the end of the period _Stephen_ comes into notice.

Blackboard Outline

II. =Gen. Asp. Pen. Ch.=
1. =Loc.= Jud. Jer.
2. =Mem.= Jews. 1.) Heb. 2.) Gre. Hel. 3.) Pros.
3. =Qual. Mem.= 1.) Rep. 2.) Fai. 3.) Bap.
4. =Spir.= 1.) Poss. H. S. 2.) Chr. fell. 3.) Lib. giv.
5. =Doc.= 1.) Res. Jes. 2.) Mess. Jes. 3.) Ret. Jes.
6. =Worsh. and Inst.= 1.) Tem. 2.) Syn. 3.) "Up. ro" 4.) "Bre.
br." 5.) Bap.
7. =Gov.= Sp. Apos. Sev.
8. =Lit.= 1.) O. T. 2.) Tea. Jes.
9. =Lead.= 1.) Pet. 2.) Jo. 3.) Bar. 4.) Ste.

Review Questions. Part Two

Where was the church located during the Pentecostal
period? Were there churches or members in Galilee? To
what race did all the members belong? What were the
three classes in its membership? Who were Hebrews? Who
were Grecians? By what other name were they called?
Who were the "proselytes"? What were the requisites
for membership in the church? What is said of the
spirit of this church? How did this spirit lead the
members to regard each other? What is said of their
gifts to each other? Were doctrines made prominent in
the church? What three doctrines were held by the
members? What institutions of worship were maintained?
What other institutions were observed? What is meant
by "breaking bread"? Where was this service held? What
is said as to the government of the church? What was
the position of the apostles? What were "the seven"?
What literature did the church possess at this time?
What knowledge did they have of the teachings of
Jesus? Who were the leaders of the church in this
period?

FOURTEENTH STUDY

The Church in Transition

From the Appointment of the Seven, A. D. 35, to the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50.

We enter upon the study of a brief period, only fifteen years, but of supreme importance and of vast results to the world; a period, too, in which we have the deepest interest, for if its events had never taken place Christianity would have been only a Jewish sect and we would not be members of it.

1. At its opening, 35 A. D., the church was in and around Jerusalem only; and every member was a Jew, bound by the restrictions of the Jewish law and ceremony. There was no thought that the church would ever include Gentiles except as Gentiles might first become proselytes to Judaism.

2. At its close, 50 A. D., we see a church planted all around the northeastern portion of the Mediterranean Sea; and, what is even more remarkable, a church wherein Jews and Gentiles were worshiping together on terms of equality. A wonderful transition this!

I. Let us draw =the Map of the Lands= occupied by the church during those fifteen years. 1. Draw the coast line of the Mediterranean Sea. 2. The island of Cyprus. 3. The lands east of the Mediterranean Sea. Judea (or Palestine), Syria, Phoenicia. 4. The lands north of the Mediterranean Sea, in Asia Minor, Cilicia, Pamphylia, Pisidia, Lycaonia. 5. The places: Jerusalem, Joppa, Cæsarea and Samaria in Judea, Damascus and Antioch in Syria, Tarsus in Cilicia, Antioch in Pisidia, Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia.

II. Let us carefully note the =Progress of Events= in this remarkable evolution of the church.

1. =The Preaching of Stephen.= Stephen was a Hellenist, or a Jew of foreign origin. He was the man who first had the vision of a church wider than the bounds of Judaism; and he proclaimed this great truth. See evidences of this in:

1.) The new and bitter _enmity_ which his teaching
aroused (Acts 6. 12).

2.) The _accusation_ against him, which contained a
half truth (Acts 6. 11, 13, 14).

3.) The _prominence_ of the man, and his discourse,
the longest public discourse reported in the New
Testament, except the Sermon on the Mount (Acts 7.
1-53).

4.) The _logical aim_ of his address: to show that the
Jews had shown themselves unworthy of their trust,
implying that it would be given to others. This sermon
was never finished, being broken up by the riotous
acts of the council.

2. =Saul's Persecution= (Acts 8. 1-3). We shall study this man's early history later. (See page 96). He was intense and furious in his loyalty to Judaism, and undertook to crush out the gospel of Christ by violent measures. See Acts 22. 4; 26. 10, 11; Gal. 1. 13. 1.) As a result the Pentecostal church was broken up and its members were scattered. 2.) But, as another effect, these disciples who were scattered went everywhere preaching (Acts 8. 4). These "preachers" were not the apostles; they were lay-members; not delivering sermons, but testifying in country synagogues and in homes the gospel of Christ. 3.) Another result followed, churches sprang up throughout Judea (Acts 9. 31), Samaria (Acts 8. 14), and Syria (Acts 9. 2, 10; Acts 11. 19). Thus Saul by his persecution unconsciously aided the spread of the gospel.

3. =The Gospel in Samaria= (Acts 8. 5-8). One of these disciples, Philip (not the apostle, but one of the "seven" Acts 6. 5), went to Samaria, and there preached with great success. A significant event, showing breadth of view and victory over prejudice. See John 4. 9. The Samaritans were regarded, not exactly as Gentiles, but as irregular and inferior, and despised even more than Gentiles. Still more significant, the Samaritan church was recognized by the apostles and received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8. 14-17). Note also that, after his work in Samaria, Philip went down to the coast and established a chain of churches from Azotus to Cæsarea (Acts 8. 40).

4. =Peter's Vision= (Acts 10. 1-48), and the events accompanying it, was the next step in the forward movement of the church. The leading apostle and most prominent man in the church, under direction of the Spirit, journeys thirty miles to preach to a little company of Gentiles; the Spirit falls upon them, another Pentecost; and Peter baptizes them. Here, then, is a genuine church of Gentiles founded by an apostle; the first fruits of a great harvest.

5. The next step is even more momentous in its results, =the Conversion of Saul= (Acts 9. 1-19). It seems to be a sudden conversion, but one expression (Acts 9. 5) shows that Saul had been struggling against conviction. His enmity had not been so greatly against "Jesus as Christ" as against "Christ for all the world" i. e., the gospel as preached by Stephen; and when converted he went fully over to Stephen's view, and became Stephen's successor, with even larger vision. Note the order of events in Saul's early ministry. 1.) Preaching in Damascus (Acts 9. 20-22). 2.) Retirement to Arabia (Gal. 1. 17). This may mean almost anywhere to the east or south of Palestine. In our opinion, he went thither not to meditate nor to study theology, but to preach in the cities between Palestine and the desert. 3.) Again preaching in Damascus (Gal. 1. 17). His escape (Acts 9. 23-25). 4.) Visit to Jerusalem (Acts 9. 26-28). Whom he met on this visit (Gal. 1. 8, 19). The event which led to his departure from Jerusalem (Acts 22. 17-21). 5.) His return to his birthplace (Acts 9. 29, 30. Gal. 1. 21). Let the student draw on the map all the journeys of Saul, beginning with his journey from Jerusalem to Damascus before his conversion.

VI. =The Church at Antioch.= (Acts 11. 19-30). Antioch was the third city of the Roman empire; capital of Syria, of which Judea was a dependency. Its many Jews had their synagogues, each with its "court of the Gentiles," where the Gentile worshipers sat during the services. In the story of this church note 1.) Its unnamed founders (Acts 11. 19). 2.) Its membership of both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 11. 20). See American Revised Version. 3.) Its prominence (Acts 11. 22-26). 4.) Its liberality (Acts 11. 27-30). 5.) Some of its workers (Acts 13. 1). 6.) Note how Saul came to be associated with this church (Acts 11. 25, 26).

VII. =The First Missionary Journey= (Acts 13. 1-4). Another step in advance was taken when two missionaries went out to plant churches of both Jews and Gentiles. 1.) They were called by the Holy Spirit (ver. 2). 2.) Approved by the church (Ver. 3). 3.) Their method; whenever possible beginning with the synagogue, where they would have access both to devout Jews and devout Gentiles (Acts 13. 5). 4.) The lands visited. Cyprus (Acts 13. 4-6). Pisidia (Acts 13. 14). Lycaonia (Acts 14. 6). On the return journey, Pamphylia (Acts 14. 24, 25). Let the student draw the maps showing the lands and places, and the route of the journey. One province in the southern tier was left unvisited, Cilicia, because Paul had already preached there (Gal. 1. 21-23).

VIII. =The Council at Jerusalem= (Acts 15). Of course such a spread of the gospel among the Gentiles would be very unwelcome to narrow Jewish believers. Their complaint and demand (Acts 15. 1, 2). Who attended the Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15. 2-4). Who took prominent part in it (Acts 15. 7, 13). The conclusion of the Council (Acts 15. 27-29).

The great question was now settled. Jews and Gentiles were standing at last on equality in the church, and the great transition from a Jewish church to a church for all the world was accomplished.

Hints to the Teacher and the Student

1. Read carefully in the book of Acts from the 8th to
the 15th chapter, inclusive.

2. Draw the map first from copy, then without copy;
not seeking for accuracy, but aiming rather for
correct relation of the lands to each other.

3. Study each section of the lesson; look up every
reference, and note its relation to the general
subject. Master the eight points in the outline
thoroughly.

4. Draw on the map (or, better, on a series of maps)
the following journeys: 1.) Philip's journeys. Acts 8.
2.) Peter's journeys. Acts 8 and 10. 3.) Saul's early
journeys. 4.) The journey of Saul and Barnabas. 5.)
The journeys in connection with the council at
Jerusalem, going and returning.

5. Let the teacher call upon the scholars to tell as a
story each of the eight points in the lesson, not from
the text-book but from the book of Acts; each story by
a student in turn.

Blackboard Outline

=Ch. in Trans.= 1.) Op. 2.) Clo.
I. =Map.= Lands. Cy. Ju. Syr. Ph. Cil. Pam. Pi. Lyc. Places. Jer.
Jop. Cæs. Dam. Ant. Tar. An (Pi) Lys. Der.

II. =Prog. of Ev.= 1. =Pre. Ste.= 1.) En. 2.) Acc. 3.) Prom.
4.) Log. ai.
2. =Sau. Per.= Res. 1.) Pen. Ch. bro. up. 2.) Dis. everyw. prea.
3.) Chur. spr. up.
3. =Gosp. in Sam.= Phil.
4. =Pet. Vis.= Pet. and Corn.
5. =Conv. Sau.= Sau. ear. Min. 1.) Dam. 2.) Ara. 3.) Dam.
4.) Jeru. 5.) Tar.
6. =Ch. at. Ant.= 1.) Foun. 2.) Mem. 3.) Prom. 4.) Lib.
5.) Work. 6.) Sau. asso.
7. =Fir. Miss. Jour.= 1.) Cal. 2.) App. 3.) Meth. 4.) Lands.
C. P. L. P.
8. =Coun. at Jer.=

Review Questions

With what events did the period of transition begin
and end? How long was it? What was the state of the
church when it opened? What was the state of the
church when it closed? Name an island and seven lands
connected with this period. Name ten places connected
with the period. State the eight great events in the
history of the church at this time. What preacher
introduced this epoch? How do we know that he preached
salvation for the Gentiles? What man's persecution at
this time proved a help to the church? Tell the story
of this persecution. What three results followed it?
Who formed the church in Samaria? Who were the
Samaritans? How was the church recognized? Tell the
story of a remarkable vision on a housetop. To what
did that vision lead? Tell the story of a persecutor's
conversion to Christ. Where did this conversion take
place? What were the events in Saul's life that
followed this conversion? What important church arose
in Syria? Who were its founders? Who constituted its
membership? Who were its leaders? What facts showed
its prominence and influence? How came Saul to be
associated with this church? Who went out as
missionaries? Who went with them as helper? What
became of this young man? What was their method of
work? What lands did they visit? In what cities did
they found churches? What led to the council at
Jerusalem? Who attended the council? Who spoke in it?
What were its conclusions? How did this end the period
of transition in the church?

FIFTEENTH STUDY

The Church Twenty Years After the Ascension

We have now studied the two earliest periods in the history of the Christian church and have come to the year 50 A. D., twenty years after the Ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit on the first Pentecost. Let us look over the field and see what at that time was the state of the church.

I. =Its Extent.= Let the student draw again the map given with the last lesson, and locate upon it the following =lands=: 1. Judea (Palestine). 2. Syria. 3. Phoenicia. 4. Cyprus. 5. Cilicia. 6. Pamphylia. 7. Pisidia. 8. Lycaonia. In all these lands churches were established and at work.

II. =Its Membership.= The members of the church consisted of two classes of people, widely apart by nature, but brought together by the gospel:

1. There were churches where all the members were =Jews=, as in Judea. These were all faithful to the regulations of the Jewish ceremonial law, and many of them almost bigoted in their opinions concerning it (Acts 15. 1, 5).

2. There were other churches, as in Lycaonia, where all or nearly all the members were =Gentiles= (Acts 14. 6-13). In these the Jewish rules were unrecognized, almost unknown.

3. Between these two extremes was the great body of churches of =both Jews and Gentiles=. The two classes worshiped together; Jews remaining Jews, and Gentiles remaining Gentiles; but probably received the Lord's Supper apart, as it was as yet a house-service, not held at the public meetings.

4. While in most churches there was harmony, on both sides there were some radical members; but especially among the Jews. These were the =Judaizers=; men who sought to compel all the disciples to receive circumcision, obey the ceremonial law and make the Christian church subordinate to Jewish ritualism. These were the enemies of Paul to the end of his ministry, perverting the Gentile churches and opposing the apostle's work.

III. =Its Leaders.= Three names stand out prominently at this time: 1. =Paul=, as the leader of the church in its world-wide plans, the apostle to the Gentiles (Gal. 2. 7). 2. =James=, as leader of the Jewish but not Judaizing elements (Acts 13. 13, 19). This was not James the apostle, for he had been put to death some time before this (Acts 12. 2); but James "the brother of the Lord" (Gal. 1. 19). He was the head of the church in Jerusalem and author of the Epistle of James. 3. =Peter=, who stood in friendly relation to both parties in the church, although his conduct was not always perfectly consistent with regard to Jewish regulations (Acts 11. 2, 3; Gal. 2. 11-14). Between these three leaders there was a clear understanding and no strong division of spirit, although they might not agree in all points. 4. Other leaders in this period were =Philip= (Acts 8. 40; 21. 8). =Barnabas=, =Silas= of Jerusalem and Antioch (Acts 15. 22, 32, 40), and =Titus= (Gal. 2. 1-4).

IV. =Its Government.= In our time the church is often a highly wrought organization, with articles of faith, orders, and officials of various grades. We are apt to assume such a condition in the early church. But at the time of which we speak there was very little organization or machinery; and there was little need of any, for a special reason: _Every member was under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit_, living in fellowship with God, without mediation of priest or church. Yet we find certain officers named in the church:

1. =Apostles=, originally "the twelve," but changes arose and others were called by the title, for example, Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14. 14); James (Gal. 1. 19). The work of the apostles was not primarily government, but inspired testimony to Jesus as the Christ (Acts 1. 22; 6. 4); nowhere in Acts are the apostles represented as ruling the church (Acts 15. 6, 22).

2. =Elders= (Acts 11. 30; 14. 23; 15. 4). These were analogous to the same officers in the synagogue, from which the plan of the local churches was taken.

3. =Prophets= (Acts 11. 27, 28; Acts 13. 1; Acts 15. 32). Men who spoke out of direct fellowship with the Lord, and under inspiration of the Spirit; sometimes, though not always, giving predictions of future events.

4. =Teachers= (Acts 13. 1). Men who gave instruction in the Christian character; probably largely from recollection or knowledge of the teaching of Christ. The difference between "prophesy" and "teaching" was that the former was the more spontaneous and the latter the more educative in the principles of the gospel.

V. =Its Doctrinal Views.= These remained substantially as in the first period. There was little tendency toward intellectual questionings while the church remained under Jewish influence. The discussion was rather regarding Jewish ceremonial regulations. The Messiahship, Resurrection and Return of Jesus were still the prominent teaching of the period.

VI. =Its Moral Standards.= The church is now face to face with the heathen world and all its abominable vices. Heathen moralists continually made excuse for the immorality which was so generally practiced. But Christianity made no compromise; set forth the high standard of the gospel, with the character of Christ as its ideal. This high standard unswervingly maintained was one secret of the church's power and growth. Notice, a little later than this period, in St. Paul's writings, the strong ethical spirit.

VII. =Its Meeting-places.= As yet "churches" or buildings for worship were not erected. The disciples met with the Jews in the synagogue or established synagogues of their own (James 2. 2). Often they met, even later than this period, in the upper rooms of private houses (Acts 20. 8; Rom. 16. 3-5; Philem. 2).

VIII. =Its Literature.= This was still the =Old Testament= only; no book of the New Testament having been written as early as 50 A. D. These writings were familiar to all the Jewish members, and almost equally familiar to the Gentiles who attended the synagogue. Was there an "oral gospel" in existence? Probably not in any set, authorized form; but repeated as the narration of teachings and works of Jesus. The tendency would naturally be for these teachings to settle into a few accepted forms or "gospels."

IX. Wherein did =the Unity of the Church= consist? Not in organization, nor government, nor doctrinal statement; but in a =common spiritual life=. They were of one heart and one mind, loved each other, contributed to each other's needs (Acts 11. 29; Gal. 2. 10), visited each other's churches (Acts 11. 22, 27, 30; 13. 25; 15. 27, 32). This was, and is, true church unity.

Blackboard Outline

=Ch. 20 Ye. af. Asc.=

I. =Ext.= Ja. Sy. Ph. Cy. Cil. Pam. Pi. Lyc.

II. =Mem.= 1. Je. 2. Gen. 3. Both J. and G. 4. "Judai."

III. =Lead.= 1. Pau. 2. Jam. 3. Pet. 4. Phi. 5. Bar.
6. Sil. 7. Tit.

IV. =Gov.= (Dir. Guid. H. S). 1. Aps. 2. El. 3. Pro. 4. Tea.

V. =Doc. Vie.= Mes. Res. Ret. Jes.

VI. =Mor. Stan.= "No comp."

VII. =Meet. Pla.= Syn. "Up. roo."

VIII. =Lit.= O. T. "Or. gosp."

IX. =Uni.= Com. spir. lif.

Review Questions

What stage in the church's progress do we now
consider? In what lands was the church established at
this time? What two classes of people constituted its
membership? How did these two classes worship
together? What service was observed in the homes of
members? Who were the Judaizers? What harm did they
do? Name the three great leaders at this time. Who was
James? Give an instance when Peter was not entirely
consistent in his conduct. Name four other leaders and
a fact about each. Why did the church of that time
need very little government? Name four kinds of
officers in the church. What was the special work of
the apostles? Where did the elders originate? With
what churches are elders named in this period? What
were the prophets in the church? Name some who are
called prophets in this period. What was the work of
teachers in the church? Were doctrinal studies or
discussions prominent at this time? What were the
three prominent doctrines of the church? Why do the
moral standards of the church come into prominence at
this time? What were those standards? Where did the
Christians hold their meetings? What was the
literature of the church at this time? What do you
understand by "the oral gospel?" Was such a gospel in
existence? Wherein did the unity of the church
consist? How was this unity shown?

SIXTEENTH STUDY

The Preparation of Paul for his Work