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