SDA Sab. Sch. Les. 5--4th Qtr. 2018--The Experience of Unity in the Early Church

[Glen]

When Eve partook of the forbidden fruit of that forbidden tree Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 3:6, she became partaker of the fallen nature. The Believer, today 2 Corinthians 6:2, eats of the Tree of Life (Jesus Christ). Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4 (Strong's Concordance: " from G1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden)".

By surrender to Jesus Christ, the Believer begins a new life altogether, even the life of Christ.

The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. Those only who are thus taught of God, those only who possess the inward working of the Spirit, and in whose life the Christ-life is manifested, can stand as true representatives of the Saviour.... God's Amazing Grace 212.4

Christ promised that the Holy Spirit should abide with those who wrestle for victory over sin, to demonstrate the power of divine might by endowing the human agent with supernatural strength and instructing the ignorant in the mysteries of the kingdom of God.... God's Amazing Grace 212.5

When one is fully emptied of self, when every false god is cast out of the soul, the vacuum is filled by the inflowing of the Spirit of Christ. Such a one has the faith that purifies the soul from defilement. He is conformed to the Spirit, and he minds the things of the Spirit. He has no confidence in self. Christ is all and in all. God's Amazing Grace 212.6

The three great powers of heaven pledge Themselves to furnish the Christian with all the assistance he requires. The Spirit changes the heart of stone to the heart of flesh. And by partaking of the Word of God, Christians obtain an experience that is after the divine similitude. When Christ abides in the heart by faith, the Christian is the temple of God. Christ does not abide in the heart of the sinner, but in the heart of him who is susceptible to the influences of heaven Reflecting Christ, p. 107.3

Christ became one flesh with us, in order that we might become one spirit with Him. It is by virtue of this union that we are to come forth from the grave—not merely as a manifestation of the power of Christ, but because, through faith, His life has become ours. Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal. Maranatha, p. 302.7

[Wally]

Friday          November 2


    How is the example of these early New Testament churches giving a generous offering to help the poor in Jerusalem an example of what we should do today? How about other social issues? How can local churches be involved in their communities in order to alleviate poverty and supply other basic needs?

According to 8T, p. 184, we're not to duplicate the work of the Salvation Army.

[Richard Myers]

Brother Wally understands the counsel we have been given regarding the type of work we have been given to do. Thank you for pointing to the truth, Wally. We need to share the health message that is the "right arm" of the gospel message. That is the social work we are to be doing that many do not do.

Friday          November 2



There are many churches in Babylon who are preaching "social justice" but they are not living for and following Christ. Shall we begin to think we need to have soup kitchens when we have been given something much better? Why do we reject what we have been told to do?