Short studies of the heroes of the early church

Contents

Study Page

I. IN JERUSALEM.

I. The Upper Room, 13

Introduction

Short Studies of the Heroes of the Early Church is the name selected for the third book in the series of Bible Study books for the Intermediate Section of the Junior League.

If the heroic element lent a charm to the study of Old Testament characters, it must give an added interest to the study of these makers of the early Church, whose every-day life was so full of heroism for the cross of Christ, and who, with one exception, gave his life for the Master.

It would have been interesting to carry out the plan of the Character Studies, as in the first book of the series; but, in order to make the setting clear, it has been necessary to confine this book to sketches rather than stories, that in these studies of the heroes we might also give the 'history of the Apostolic Church.

Some of the surroundings have been gathered from books portraying the peoples and customs of the times, and have been woven into the sketches because of the light they throw on the subject matter of the Bible narrative.

In regard to the dates suggested, no intima-

Introduction

tion is given that there is a divergence of opinion, as the best authorities are pretty generally unanimous in regard to the larger proportion of them. Where this is not so, the dates have been omitted.

In connection with this study the boys and girls will be interested in the reading of the Book of Acts as a whole. Ask them to read it all in one week, just as they would read any other history. This is a much more interesting plan than the reading in small sections.

The memory work for the third year is based on this book, and we suggest that, so far as possible, the Memory Verses and Prayers be memorized, or that the Intermediates be asked to prepare their own Memory Books, writing in them each week a Memory Verse and a prayer; these to be taken from any of the study books or directly from the Bible. Encourage originality in the preparation of these books.

The suggestions to leaders for the use of this book in the class do not differ very materially from those given in the previous book, and therefore will not be repeated. A few additional suggestions are given.

i. Care should be taken that the text-book does not supplant the use of the Bible among the boys and girls. Each should own his Bible,

Introduction

and use it constantly, both in class and for home study, where this is done.

2. In the preparation of the Hero Story Books, encourage the Juniors to read carefully the Bible narrative and include in their stories many of the interesting details, which, for want of space, were omitted from the text-book.

. 3. In the map-work much interest may be created by making a study of the places visited by the different apostles, as many of them were places of importance in the world of that day and in the history of all times. In these places we find some of the Seven Wonders of the World, the homes of some of the great leaders and teachers, and many other things that boys and girls enjoy knowing.

4. At the age of the Intermediates, the artistic and esthetic element predominates. The book-work, if of interest to them, must be beautiful and attractive. Let the covers for the books be prepared in the beginning, and the stories added from week to week.

The covers should be made a work of art. If all members of the class have not the ability to make attractive covers, with water-color paper and paints, the stencil work now so much used in the public schools will make it possible for each to have a pretty book.

If the Junior Superintendent is not informed

Introduction

in regard to the making and use of stencils, one of the neighboring public-school teachers will gladly give the needed information.

A wide margin may be left on the story pages and each story illustrated with cuttings from magazines or with original- drawings. Where a loose leaf note-book cover is used, it may be made attractive by the mounting of a picture of appropriate size on the front cover.

5. The memory verses and prayers are quoted from the American Revised Bible, in order that the Juniors may grow to love this text even as the present generation love and revere the King James version.

6. For reference the following books are recommended, in addition to a Teachers' Bible and Bible Dictionary (some of these will be found in the pastor's library) :

"The Life and Epistles of Paul." Conybeare and Howson.

"The Life of Paul." Farrar.

"Paul of Tarsus." Bird.

PARTI THE CHURCH OF JERUSALEM

SHORT STUDIES

OF THE

Heroes of the Early Church

Chapter I. THE UPPER ROOM!

MEMORY VERSE.

"But ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." Acts i : 8.

BIBLE PICTURE.

1. Peter's Commission. John 21: 15-19.

2. The Great Commission. Matt. 28: 16-20.

3. Command to tarry at Jerusalem. Acts 1:4.

4. The Promise of Power. Acts 1:8; Luke 24: 49.

5. The Ascension. Luke 24: 50, 51; Acts 1:9-11.

6. Matthias chosen. Acts 1: 15-26.

7. The Holy Spirit given. Acts 2: 1-13.

STORY.

The disciples and followers of Jesus were alone. After that morning by the sea when the Master had given to Peter the thrice-repeated commission, "Feed My sheep," He had bidden them go to Jerusalem. From there, one morning, He had led them out to the Mount of Olives near Bethany, perhaps in sight of the house were He had been so many times the guest of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

Here He paused to give to them some final instructions. As He said to them, "Ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be My witnesses, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth," He raised His hands as if to bless them, and even as He spoke, while every eye was fastened upon Him, He rose slowly -from the earth, and as they looked, a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Spellbound, the disciples stood motionless, their eyes fixed on the place where but a moment before they had seen Jesus. How long

The Upper Room

they might have stood thus can not be told; for suddenly two men in white apparel stood in their midst, and said to them: "Why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like maner as ye beheld Him going into heaven." Then the disciples returned to Jerusalem, remembering that Jesus had told them to remain there until the Holy Spirit had come upon them-.

That night they assembled in a large room in the home of one of the disciples; probably 'in the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark. It may have been that this was the same room where they had eaten the last supper with Jesus, and here, as they finished their meal, they called to mind the commandment of Jesus, and in remembrance of Him they partook of the Lord's Supper.

Jesus had said, "Tarry in Jerusalem," but the disciples were poor men, and to tarry in Jerusalem meant that they must at once find work. In their own country of Galilee many of them had been fishermen, and it was not easy to adapt themselves to city ways ; but work they must have. Just what they found to do is not known ; but every evening, when the work of the day was over, found them together in the "upper room,"

IS

One of their first acts was to elect some cne to fill the place of Judas. Two men, Barsabas and Matthias, were selected. Lots were then cast for the two, and Matthias was chosen.

The great feast of the Jews, the Day of Pentecost, was at hand, and strangers from all over the country arrived hourly, until Jerusalem was literally full of people of every nation. When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, early in the morning the disciples with one accord hastened to the upper room; not alone the Twelve, but others to the number of one hundred and twenty, who had gathered daily to await the fulfillment of God's promise.

This morning, as they sat at the feet of those who were instructing them, wondering, possibly, if this might not be the day for which Jesus had bidden them wait, suddenly there came a sound as of a rushing mighty wind from heaven, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Startled by the unexpected sound, each looked to the others for an explanation, but only to meet a new wonder; for as he looked, each saw, resting upon the other, a cloven tongue like as of fire.

With an intuition sent from God, they knew that this was the fulfillment of the promise of Christ; that the Holy Spirit, who was to

The Upper Room

give them power to work for Him, had come. The news of some strange happening spread rapidly; people gathered about the house; they even crowded into the upper room to learn the cause of the unwonted sound that many had heard. The disciples could not keep quiet; they must talk and tell of this wonderful power which each felt within himself, and which made him want every one else to have the same power.

But, wonder of wonders, these men were all Jews; and yet, as they spoke, every man in that city, from whatever country he had come, heard them speak in his own language. Some looked with awe and reverence upon this wonder; others began to mock them, and say that they were drunken.

Some one must explain this great miracle; but they had not known in what way the Holy Spirit would come, and no provision had been made for anything like this. Instinctively they seem to have turned to Peter, and he who had denied Christ, was given the honor of defending Him, and His gift of power, and by this act, virtually became the leader of this little band that was the beginning of the great Christian Church.

Short Studies of Heroes of the Early Church CRAYON AND PENCIL.

Plan i. The world of the Early Church.

Plan i gives simply the outline of the countries to which the activities of these Heroes of the early Church were in the main confined.

In designating Galilee and Jerusalem the home of the disciples during the life of Christ, and the center of the activities of the apostles after the resurrection, note how small a portion of the country was touched by Christ Himself, in proportion to that reached during the lifetime of the apostles.

SEARCH QUESTIONS.

i. Who wrote the Book of Acts?

2. Why do the angels call the disciples "Ye men of Galilee" in Acts i : 1 1 ?

3. To Whom does Peter refer in Acts 1 : 15-20?

4. Where does Jesus promise the coming of the Holy Spirit, and what other name does He give Him?

5. How far does Jesus command the disciples to witness for Him, and in whose power?

HEART TALK.

The promise of power was not alone to the disciples gathered in the upper room, but

The Upper Room to every one into whose life God sends His Holy Spirit.

To-day the Holy Spirit in our hearts will make our lives witnesses for Him to those about us every day, and if we are living witnesses for Him at home, we will be ready to go anywhere He may want us to go, to witness for Him.

PRAYER.

"Neither' for these only do I pray, but for them also that shall believe on Me through their word." John 17: 20.

Chapter II. The First Great Revival

MEMORY VERSE.

"We must obey God rather than men." Acts 5 : 29.

bible picture.

1. Peter's sermon. Acts 2: 14-36.

2. The prophecy of Joel. Joel 2: 28-32.

3. The quotation from David. Psa. 16: 8-11.

4. The result of Peter's sermon. Acts 2 :

37-47-

5. The miracle at the Beautiful Gate. Acts 3: 1-10.

6. Peter's sermon. Acts 3: 11-26.

7. The arrest and trial of Peter and John. Acts. 4: 1-22.

STORY.

Peter stepped out from among the Twelve. The disciples, who had risen to their feet, and whose speaking in strange tongues had aroused the tumult, seated themselves in rows in front of him.

Facing them, and quieting the multitude, Peter said, "These are not drunken as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day, but this is that which hath been spoken."

Then, knowing full well the awful reverence of the Jews for the prophets, he began with a quotation from the prophet Joel, and proved to them that what they had just seen and heard was a fulfilment of that propnecy; then, quoting from David, he went on to prove that Jesus was the Messiah of the Old Testament, closing with these words: "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God hath made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified."

Those who heard him could not resist the power of his words, and many came to Peter and the other disciples, saying, "What must we do?" The disciples had just one answer for them, "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins." The rite of baptism was administered at once, and about three thousand were added to the number of believers in Christ that day. These met regularly for instruction and worship, others were added to them daily, and there was great rejoicing among them.

The priests and rulers did not realize how

The First Great Revival

this little band was increasing in numbers, until their attention was attracted by a miracle which drew many to Christ. As Peter and John were going into the temple for worship a lame beggar lying at the Beautiful Gate asked alms of them. Peter in reply said, "Look on us." The beggar, expecting money, did so; but Peter said: "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." He took him by the hand, and the man stood up and walked into the temple with them.

Every one entering the temple had seen the lame man lying at the gate day after day, many of them knew him, and a crowd gathered about them at once. Again Peter turned them to Christ, and, in the sermon which he preached, proved to many that Jesus was the Messiah.

The gathering of this multitude aroused the fears of the high priest and rulers, and from this time they strove to silence the disciples and undermine their influence. Peter and John were imprisoned, beaten, and forbidden to teach in the name of Christ; but their answer was, "We can not but speak the things we saw and heard," and, being released, they returned to their brethren. After prayer to God, the Holy Spirit again manifested His presence with them, and they spoke even more boldly, and so many were led to Christ that the Bible speaks of them as "the multitudes of them that believed."

CRAYON AND PENCIL.

Plan 2. Herod's Temple.

This plan should be studied in connection with Plan 3 or some good relief plan of Jerusalem, in order that the location may be understood.

The Beautiful Gate and Solomon's Porch will be the places of special interest.

SEARCH QUESTIONS.

1. How many quotations from the Old Testament^ are found in Peter's first sermon?

2. How many were added to the Church after that sermon?

3. By how many different names does Peter speak of Christ in the third chapter of Acts?

4. How many followers of Christ were there at the time of the first imprisonment of Peter and John?

5. Read the prayer of the disciples after their release from prison.

HEART TALK.

It is not necessary for any one to prove to us to-day that Christ is the Messiah, or that He is God's Son. The question for us is: "Is

The First Great Revival

Tower o-P Anion. 10

Sacred lncl.oGure

Court of th_e

I Herod's T>orch_

Plan 2. Herod's Temple.

Christ my Savior?" If not, we are no better off than those Jews who did not believe in Him. If He is, we should do as did the Jews of old, be baptized and join ourselves to the number of Christ's followers, the Church.

PRAYER.

"O Lord, Thou that dids't make the heaven and the earth the sea, and all that in them is, . . . grant unto Thy servants to speak Thy word with all boldness" Acts 4: 24-29.

Chapter III. The Church Of The Apostles

MEMORY VERSE.

"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 4:6.

BIBLE PICTURE.

i. The Lord's Supper. Acts 2: 42.

2. All things in common. Acts 2: 44-46.

3. The disciples still Jews. Acts 4: 1.

4. Preaching in the temple and at home. Acts 3:11; Acts 5 : 42.

5. Growing opposition. Acts 5:17, 33.

6. The second arrest. Acts 5: 17-32.

7 The advice of Gamaliel. Acts 5 : 33-42.

STORY.

The great increase in the number of the disciples, at first thought, would seem to necessitate the organization and building of new churches; but at this time there was no Christian Church. The disciples were still Jews, attending the daily services in the temple, partici- 27 pating in its sacrifices and feasts, and observing Jewish customs. They were simply Christian Jews who believed that Christ was the Messiah of the Old Testament, and were more like a brotherhood within the Jewish Church, than like a separate Church.

The company had grown too large for the "upper room," though they still met there, and in other rooms that had been opened to them, for their evening meal together, and for the Lord's Supper which was eaten daily. The rest of their services, like those of other Jewish sects, were probably held on one of the porches of the temple, known as Solomon's Porch, and attracted little comment at first.

After the close of the Feast of Pentecost, many of those who had been added to the Church returned to their own homes, carrying the new religion with them, while in Jerusalem the Christians grew in number and strength. The most of these were very poor, and this may have led to the custom, which lasted for only a short time, of putting their money into a common fund that all might share equally. This even at the first was probably not compulsory. It appears as though those who wished to do so had part in this common fund, and many gave only part of their property.

The Church of the Apostles

From the beginning the followers of Christ were very liberal. The house of Mary was always open for their meetings. Barnabas, who was a man of some means, sold at least part of his land, and put the money into the common fund, and later the Churches outside of Jerusalem sent money many times to help the disciples.

The Jewish Church at this time was so burdened with rites and observances that no one might hope to keep them all, save 'those who devoted themselves to this alone. In great contrast to this, these early Christians had but two rites — the Lord's Supper, which in those days was a meal eaten together, and which symbolized communion or fellowship with Christ; and the rite of baptism, which symbolized the cleansing from sin or the washing away of the previous sinful life.

The Twelve were still looked upon as the special leaders. Their poverty, together with the fact that they were Galileans and unlearned men, made the priests and leaders of the Jews rather indifferent to them at first, but their teaching of the great Jove of Christ, which was so different from the narrow teaching of the temple, attracted many of the more influential people, and soon the priests and rulers became restless and suspicious of the power of this new sect, and questioned how best it might be crushed out.

The disciples were again imprisoned; but an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and when the officers came for them, in the morning, they were amazed to find them again in the temple preaching the gospel of Christ.

Then Gamaliel, a Rabbi, noted for his learning, advised that they be let alone; calling attention to other sects that had arisen, and seemed for a time to gain power and then died out, and saying: "If this work be of men, it will be overthrown, but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them lest haply ye be found to fight against God." For a time they listened to his counsel; the disciples were set free, though beaten and commanded to preach no more;but they rejoiced in persecution, and the Church grew mightily in members and in power.

CRAYON AND PENCIL.

Plan 3. Jerusalem in the days of the apostles.

The city of Jerusalem, with its three walls and its many noted places, will prove an interesting study. Plan 3 gives the barest outline, and gives it especially for showing the loca- 30

The Church of the Apostles

Plan 3. Jerusalem in the Days of the Apostles.

tion of the temple where the formal services were held, and the house where the last supper was eaten, and which very probably was the "upper room" of the apostles.

For the location of Solomon's Porch, reference must be made to Plan 2.

HEART TALK.

From a material view, this little Church did not have very much on its side; it was poor; its leaders were unlearned; it had no organization or home of its own; but it had what was worth more than all these — it had God's Holy Spirit as its motor power, and its success was insured from the beginning; no opposition could overthrow it; no persecution could discourage it.

To-day God's Spirit, as the motor power of your life, will give you just as much courage, will make you just as invincible as it did the Church of the apostles.

SEARCH QUESTIONS.

2. What sin do we find in Acts 5 : 1-1 1 7 ,

3. Where do we learn the meeting place of the disciples?

4. Who commanded the disciples to be witnesses? Acts 1 : 7, 8.

The Church of the Apostles

5. Where do we find Christ's promise to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake?

PRAYER.

"Grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word" Acts 4:29.

Chapter IV. Peter The Leader

MEMORY VERSE.

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt. 16:16.

BIBLE PICTURE.

i. The call of Peter. Matt. 4: 18-22.

2. Peter the spokesman among the Twelve. Matt. 16: 16-25.

3. Peter a leader in the early Church. Acts 3 : 1-1 1.

4. Peter's first tour. Acts 9: 32-43.'

5. Peter's vision. Acts 10: 1-16.

6. Peter in prison. Acts 12.

7. Peter's first letter. 1 Peter 2: 1-11.

STORY.

And Andrew first findeth his own brother Simon and saith unto him, "We have fou'nd the Messiah." He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked on him, and said, "Thou art Simon, the son of John; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter). n

Peter the Leader

This is our introduction to Peter. He had been with John the Baptist, and probably was present at the time Jesus was baptized. Now he is brought face to face with Him to whom he is to give the rest of his life.

With his brother Andrew, and his partners James and John, he was a fisherman. He was not a poor man, for he had his home first at Bethsaida, and later in Capernaum. Here his house was large enough, not only for his own family, but for Christ and some of His followers also.

After his first meeting with Christ he went back for a short time to his regular work; then came the call, "Follow Me;" and he and his three partners left their nets and became the pupils of Jesus.

Peter was not what one would call a learned man, but he had what might correspond to a common-school education, and from the very first showed a strong spirit of leadership. He soon was recognized as the spokesman for the apostles, and Christ Himself seems to have looked upon him as such.

Very early in Christ's ministry we find Peter among the chosen three, who seem to be the close personal friends of the Master, and who are with Him, even when the others are not permitted to be there.

It was Peter who voiced the belief of the Twelve when, in answer to Christ's question, "Whom say ye that I am?" he replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Eager, enthusiastic, impetuous, quick to speak the first thought that came to him, Peter frequently made mistakes; but Jesus saw in him the sturdy loyalty of his love, and the great possibilities of lifelong heroic service for Him.

When Christ implied that even the disciples would forsake Him, it was Peter who vehemently replied, "If all shall be offended in Thee, I will never be offended;" and yet, before the cock crew, he had three times denied ever knowing Christ; and then, almost brokenhearted at his own weakness, he went out and wept bitterly.

After His resurrection, Christ, in His thrice repeated question, "Lovest thou Me?" and in His commission to Peter to feed His sheep, seems to have showed His confidence in the sincerity of Peter's repentance, and his loyalty to Him; and to have restored him to his position of prominence among the Twelve.

While the acknowledged leader among the early Christians, Peter does not appear to have assumed any authority superior to that of the rest of the apostles, though the intensity of his character makes him prominent in all the great

Peter the Leader

events, in the early days of the Christian Church. A Jew of the Jews, he is as strongly bound to Jewish traditions as any of the apostles, yet he is among the first to be found outside of Judea preaching the gospel. Nevertheless it takes a vision from God to open his eyes, and prove to him that the gospel is intended for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Even then Peter did not understand that God's salvation was free to every one, for he insisted that all Gentiles must become Jews, before they could be baptized.

The persecution of the Christians in Jerusalem and Judea had scattered them; wherever they went they preached Christ; and Christian communities sprang up everywhere. Peter made a tour, visiting and strengthening these Churches. He is associated with Barnabas in the establishment of the Church at Antioch.

Soon after the martyrdom of James, Peter was again thrown into prison. This time the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and let Peter out. He went at once to the upper room at the home of Mary, where the disciples were gathered for prayer. When he rapped at the door, and the maid Rhoda announced that it was Peter, the disciples could not believe her; they were sure Peter was in prison. He had some difficulty in persuading them that it really was he. Finally they opened the door. When he had told them of his wonderful delivery, he went away into Caesarea to escape from Herod.

From this time not very much is heard of Peter. He seems to have completed his special work of establishing Christianity in Judea and Samaria, and there are others definitely called to take it to the ends of the earth. However, Peter has a part in this, for six years later he is present and takes an active part in the great Council at Jerusalem, where Paul is authorized to receive the Gentiles into the Church without their having first become Jews.

He visited and aided the Church at Corinth in its early days, and later went to Rome. It was during his residence here, about 68 A. D., that he probably wrote his first epistle. His close association with Paul at this time, and the probability that he had read at least part of Paul's epistles, would make it natural that he should closely follow these in teaching and style.

While this letter was written to warn Christians against certain dangers and to comfort and strengthen them, it was written especially for those Jews who were still found in every Church,, and who needed the authority of the older apostles to confirm their faith in the re-

Peter the Leader

ligion which Paul taught, and which was so different from the old Jewish belief. Peter expresses in this letter his hearty agreement with the teachings of Paul.

For the later years of the life of Peter tradition is more abundant than history. He went to Rome during Paul's stay there, and had a part in founding the Church of Rome. He was martyred about the same time as Paul. Tradition says he was crucified, head downward, at his own request. The reason given for this request is, that Peter said he was not worthy to be put to death in the same way that his Master was, and that crucifixion with the head down, imolied greater ignominy.