The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-07
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
DECEMBER IL.
Lesson Text: "The Apostolic Coun-
Gil" Acts yy., 12-29-Golden
Text: Acts xv.. IL
Commentary.

IL. This verse introduces us to q gather.
ing OF the church at Jerusalem with the
Apostles and elders. Paul and Barnabas
also belng present and declaring before
them all the wonders which God had
wrought among the Gentiles by them. The
hrst part OF the chapter tells why the
aPostles had left Antioch and the cause of
this council at Jerusalem. The principal
point OF dispute was: Can Gsntiles he saved
Py faith in Christ, or must they also be cir
cumcised before they can be saveds Peter
TOLD what ne had seen OF the gift Of God
upon tie uncircumcised, and now Paul and
Barnatai tell what they have seen Of the
same g.ace ~ - '-'
1S James now sums up the evidence and
gives his decision. James, the brother Of
john. had been slain txii., q, so this must
be james, the son Of Alpheus iMsth. T., 81,
the author of the episte Of James.
"a. In verses IA to Is we have a complete
and concise summary of the purpose of God
with the church, the Jews and the Gentiles.
me purpose OF the present dispensation is
not the conversion Of the work., but, as it Is
written here, to take out of the nations q
people for His name. ,-',.''' :
To- "And to this agree tho woris of the
prophets" While the gathering of one
body OUT of Jews and Gsnties on equal
Terms Is not clearly revealed in tho Old
Testament, as Paul testiaes In Rom. xvi,
20, 20; Eph. ILL. s, o, toe purpose OF God to
bless all nations through the nation of Is.
rael IS very clearly revealed; aud It is also
written in this connection, "SureIy the
Lord God will do nothing but He revealeth
bis secret unto His servants the prophets"
(Amos iii, n. - -,
l6. After this will return, and will
build again the tabernacle OF David" Tue
restoration here spoken OF has never vet
taken place, for the prophet says that
whcn IL does take place Israel shall be.
planted in their land and never be pulled
up any more (Amos ix., Ills. Before this
regathering Of Israel as nation the elect
church must be completed
II. After the conversion Of Israel as a
nation, then shall all nations be converted,
for tho time will come when all kin 20 shall
fall down before Him, all nations shall serve
Him tPs. lxxii, 1I. AS ono has said, 1t Is
now some Jews and some Gentiles (the elect
church). then 1t will he all tue Jews lisa.
K, 1922: Jer. xxi, 33, 34), and after that
all the Cent? ies lisa. H., Ia. II, 12l. ...s
ID. There Is no surprise to God in any
thing that comes to pass, and He does moth.
ing that from all eternity He did not see that
Ho would do. ...
10. Understanding the purpose OF God
to be by any special connection with Jewish
rites, but by simple faith in Jesus and by
His grace whosoever will, without respect to
persons, may be saved lverseS S-1I)
20. BE advised writing to the Gsntile con-
verts that having received Jesus, and there
fore being sated, they should o stain from
all defilements Of sidoiatry and uncleauness,
and observe in their eating such portions OF
the ceremonial law as would be for their
health and prove them to be separate from
the heathen about them III Cor. vi, 10: VII,
IL ...-- g.. 49,.
81. It was customary to read from Moses
and the prophets in tus synagogue every
Sabbath day ixiii., Is, 27,) and Jesus Him.
self had testified that Moses wrote OF Him
that all Scripture referred to Him, and that
He had come not to destroy, but to fulfill
John ", 40; Luke xiv, n, "A; Math. ",
17) -.
%. Having come to this decision Ii pleased
the apostles and elders Of the church Of Jeru.
salem to send to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas such CHIEF men as Barsaoas and
Silas, that not only might the CHRISTIANS at
Antioch learn the decision Of the council BY
letter, but also by the testimony OF these
brethren.
20. Listen now to the letter and hear lead
ing Jews at Jerusalem addressing GENTLE be-
LEVERS as brethrel. Behold the grace OF God
and the love, OF the, Holy Spirit What q
contrast to the old saying that the Jews have
no dealings with the Samaritans! myself
have heard q miuister of the Gospel object to
the term "brethren," saying that he felt like
knocking q man down who called him
brother. Such was not the spirit OF the
apostles. .-.
"a. Such troublers and subverters still
live, and pervert the word Of God and mys-
tify the grace OF God, going so far as to say
that unless we believe as they do or join
their communion we cannot be saved; others
saying that even though we believe we have
something to do before we can be saved. and
yet Others insist that we cannot kno"
whether we are saved till we die.
Is. The letter testi1es to the love OF the
church toward Barnabas and Paul, to the
unity of the caurch at Jerusalem In this
matter, and to their great interest In the
Gentle brethren at Antioch. All true be-
llevers are members of the one body.
26. Barnabas and Paul are honorably
mentioned because Of their sufferings Tor
Christ's sake. Some OF these were mentionee
in last lesson. See O full list in IL Cor. xi
1928. And vet hear Paul say, ''None of
these things move me-" and "The sufsrings
OF this present time are not worthy TO o'
compared with the glory " hich shall be re
vealed in us" (Acts k, "a; Rom. vlif... lsl.
81. Written sermons Al y good sometimes
and letters are often worry helpful, but
testimony by word of mouth right from the
heart is best of all. In this case they nave
both the written and the spoken testimony.
%. Observe the partnership or tne doly
Spirit and the church and compare chapter
xiii, 2. Every oie who receives Jesus re-
ceives also the Holy Spirit, and the oody pe-
comes His temple. every whit OF which ne e
iealouslv desireth for the glory OF Goo y
Cor. vi, ~, %: Jas. iv.; 5. 4. ", margin:
Jesus said to His apostles when He sent
them forth, "lt is not ye that speaI, ouG tne
Spirit of your Father whlca s:'eaxetn ~ y
Won" Math. K, 2Oj. See also Acts XVI, .,
7. and let us covet earnestly to be comPietely
under the control Of our Blessed Comforter
and Guide. DAD
and fully Welded to Him, the Spirit Wouio 9
take fnll possession and God be glorihed
There is nothing burdensome In the servic.
~ Christ. .tHis command ments are moi
grievous" Il John ", 81: His yoke IS easy @sS
and His burden is light (Math. xi:; 3Ol; Inc
Christians at Antioch were made gao 4y
this letter and these words from the oreta'
ran iyerses 81, 81. Words from God are III
ways intended to make us glad and give us
peace il we are honestly desirous OF waking
with Him. See Jer. XXX, IL; rs. 414.s
&. I John j.. 4.-Lssson Helper.
WHERE THE MONEY WENT.
A rather curious experiment was made In