Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-26
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. j. o. SHERBURN.

the lesson of June 17th, 1888. Paul an,
Barnabas, on their way back from thei
first missionary tour, had returned t,
Antioch, from which place they hat
sailed to Cyprus. The report of the work
they had been able to accomplish among
the Gentlles was made to the church from
which they were recommended to that
work, After rehearsing what God hac
done through them, they remained somt
time at Antioch
Here they found that during their
absence certain Judazing teachers had
been among the believers, declaring that
it was necessary for all Gentle converts
to be circumclsed and to observe Moses
law. The question was one TO disturb
the brethren at Antioch, for it was here
that the word begun to he spoken to the
Greclans. But it was of great moment
also to Paul and Barnabas; for if it was
really necessary that the Genties become
circumclsed and keep the law, then theil
work was largely invalidated, for they
had put no such requirement upon any
who had believed among them. When
argument, Or dispuation failed, the
church at Antioch determined to send n
delegation to Jerusalem, who should lay
the question before the apostles and elders.
From this it appears that Jerusalem was
the recognized head quarters of the church
and doubtless at certain times several of
the apostles would be in the city. James
was considered the bishop ofthe city, and.
from that fact, in some sense the head of
the church. We have no information as
to who the other members of the delega
tion were, but they were, without doubt,
From the third verse we see that the
churches aid them in making the Journey
and in turn they cheered the churches by
declaring among them the conversion of
the Gentiles. 1t is noticeable that Paul
and Barnabas did not occupy the churches
with the questions that were to be debated,
but rather told of Gods wonderful work
where they had labored. Again when they
were come to Jerusalem, and the church
gave them reception, they did not at first
declare the reason of their coming, but
gave report of the things God had done
with them. This was the most natural
thing for men who were all engaged in
saving their fellows, but the most crafty
partisan could not have suggested surer
way of gaining their case before the
church. If once the apostles aud elders
could be led to see what had been done,
they would have little question as to the
eenuineness of the work. So these men
with the guileless purpose of magnifying
The grace of God shown among the Genties,
were making it impossible that the bur-
den of Judaism should ever be laid upon
the Gentle Christians.
The indication is that, at this very first
meeting, the Jewish party were ready to
bring forward the objection that Gentilo
believers had not been circumcised, or
brought under the observances of the law.
The question having been TINS brought
forward, IA council was called, to meet at
some later day, to debate the matter. 1t
was necessary to postpone the debate thus
that there might be time for mature
thought, and that all might know of the
important matter to be decided. The
council opened, as it appears. with a
promiscuous discussion, in which several
of minor note in the church took part;
but at length leader came forward,
Peter spoke, and naturally all attached
great weight to his words.
He reminded them that long time
before, (from early days in the Greek, y
God made choice among them, that the
Gentiles by his mouth should hear the
gospel. In this remark he refers to the
time he was called to the house of the
Roman Cornelius. it is not certain by
any means that Peter was the first to
preach the gospel to the Gentiles, but he
was doubtless the first to do it under
special divine direction or command. 1t
was no easy matter TO break down the
race prejudice with Peter, but when he
saw the matter liz its true light. led by a
vision from Heaven, he could no longer
doubt. Peter on that occasion, at Corne-
Iius' house, learned Il very simple lesson,
but one over which he and many others
stumbled long.
OF truth, he said, / perceive that God
is no respecter of persons. The great
fact that then convinced him he now
gives to the council. The fact, which
assured him that faith in Christ saves
without the legal observances, was that
The Holy Ghost was given these Gentiles
The same as he had been given to the
Jewish believers at the day of Pentecost
The chain Of argument is simple and
clear. God would not bestow his Spirit
upon those who were failing to fulfill
required conditions. He did bestow his
Spirit upon those who believed in Corne.
Iius' house; hence it is plain that they had
not tailed to meet required conditions; and
hence circumcision and the keeping of the
law are not required of Gentle
believers.
The same reasoning would hold, and
The same conclusions be reached by mark
ing the result of faith upon the hearts and
lives of the Gentiles. IF in them the
same fruits appeared, then it was reasona-
ole to conclude that they had met the
conditions of religious growth and prog
ress, as well as those who were circunl-
cised. Then Peter makes his appeal:
"Why tempt ye God to putt Cor by
putting) "a yoke upon the neck of the
disciples, which neither our fathers nor
we were able to bcar?" To tempt God
signifies to provoke his displeasure. Peter
means to say that the ceremonial law had
ever been burdensome, and the best of the