Passaic City record., 1892-12-10
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
DECEMBER IL.
lesson Text. 'sThe Apostolic Conn
cu." Acts xv, 12-29-Goiden
Text: Acts xv.. IL
Commentary.

commentary.
IL. This verse introduces US to a patbar.
ing OF the church at Jerusalem with tha
apostles and elders. Paul and Barnabas
aiso being present and declaring before
tnem al the wonders which God had
wrought among the Gentlles by them The
Hrst part OF the chapter tells why the
apostles had left Antioch and the cameo ~
tnis council at Jerusalem. The princ;raI
point OF dispute was: Can GsntiIes be sayei
oy faith IN Christ, or must they also be cir
cumcised before they can be saved? Peter
boid what he had seen OF the gift of God
upon the uncircumcised. and now Paul and
Darnaoas tell what they have sean of the
same grace.
10. James now sums up the evidence and
gives hls decision. James, the brother Of
yoln. nad been slain txii., q. so this must
De James. the son Of Alpheus fMath. x q
1ne author OF the epistle of James.
"a. In verses IA to Is we have complete
Enu concise summary of the purpose of Goi
,ca1a rlen Inc church, the Jews and the Gentiles.
Inc purpose OF the present dispensation is
not the conversion of the worl j, but as it is
written here, to take out of the nations a
people for His name.
ID. ''And 10 this agree the words Of fba
prophets" While the gathering Of one
boay out of Jews and Gentiies on equal
r ssrins Is not clearly revealed In the Old
testament, as Paul testiies in Rom. xvi.
%, 70; Eph. iii. 5. 8. tae purpose of God TO
oiess all nations through the nation of Is
rael IS very clearly revealed; and it is also
written In this connection, s.5ureEy the
Lord God will do nothing but He revealesh
His secret unto his servants, the prophets
(Amos ILL.,, q.
build again the tabernacle OF DAVID The
RESTORATION here spoken of has never vet
taken place. for the prophet says that
when 1t does take placa Israel shall be
planted in their land and never be pulled
up any more tAnios tx. 11-l5l. Before this
regathering OF Israel as a nation the elect
church must be completed
IL. After the conversion of Israel as a
nation. then shall all nations be converted
for the time will come when all kings shall
fall down before Him, all nations shall serve
Him Ps. lxxii-, III. As one has said. it is
now some Jews and some Gentiles tthe elect
churchj. then 1t will he all the Jews lisa.
k. 1922: Jer. xxi, 80, 34), and after that
ali the Gentiies tlsa. X, 1-3, IL. 12).
Is. There is no surprise TO God in any
thing that comes to pasz and He does notn-
ing that from all eternity He did not see that
He would do.
49, Understanding the purpose OF God
James saw that the present election was not
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 tverses 7-lL)
20. He advised writing to the Gentile con-
verts tnat having received Jesus, and there
fore being saved, they should aostain from
all defilements of ido.atry and uncleenness,
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 Gil Cor. vi, 10: vii.s
II
81. 1t was customary to read from Moses
and the prophets IN t3s synagogue every
Sabbath day fxiii., Is, 27,l and Jesus Him
self had testified tnar Moses wrote OF Him
that all Scripture referred to Him. and that
He had come not to destroy. but TO fulfill
John ", 46, Luke XIV, q, A; Math- ",
III
%. Having come to this decision it pleased
the apostles and elders of the church of Jeru-
salem to send to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas such CHIEF men as Barsabas and
Silas, that NOT only might ths Christians at
Antioch learn the decision OF the council by
letter, but aiso by tne testimony of these
brethren.
23 Lisren now TO the letter and hear lead
ing Jews at Jerusalem addressing Gentle be-
lievers as brethren. Behold the grace OF God
and the love OF the Holy Spirit What a
contrast to the cid saying that the Jews have
no dealings with the Samaritansi | myself
have heard minister of the Gospel object TO
the term brethren" saying that he felt like
knocking a 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 oe saved,osnsrs
saying that even though we believe we nave
something to do before we can be saved. and
vet Others insist that we cannot know
whether we are saved till we die.
25 The letter testiias 20 the love OF the
chsrch toward Barnabas and Paul, TO the
unity of the cnurch at Jerusalem In this
matter, and to their great interest In the
Gentle brethren at Antioch. All true be-
lsevers are members OF the one body.
90. Barnabas and Paul are houorabiy
mentioned becauss of their suHerings Tor
Christs sake. Some Of these were mentioned
in last lesson. See a full list in II Cor. xl.,
1928. And yet hear Paul say, None OF
thess things move me-" and The sufrsrlngs
OF this present time are not worthy 70 d
compared with the glory W hich shall be re
vealed in Us" lActs Xxx. "a; Rom. VIII, 10.
q. Written sermons are good sometimes
and letters are often very helpful. but .
testimony by word of mouth right from the
heart is best OF ell. In this case they have
both the written and the spoken testimony
9S Observe the partnership OIL the HoIy
Spirit and the church and compare chapter
xiii, 2 Every one VINO receives Jesus re-
ceives also ths Holy Spirit and the body be-
comes His temple. every whit of which He
jealousiv desireth for the glory OF God q
Cor. vi, IL, 90: Jas. iv., 5. r. ", margin.
Jesus said to His apostles when he sent
them forth, sit is not We that speak. but the
Spirit OF your Father which sleaketh n
youn tMath. 4, 20B. See also Acts xvl-, 2,
!. and let us covet earnestly to be completely
under the control Of our Blessed Comforter
and Guide.
90. The rcay being kept wholly for God
and fully yielded to Him. the Spirit would
take full possession and God be giorlned.
There is nothing buriensome in the service
of Christ. His command nents are mol
grievous" q John ". 81. His yoke = easy M
and His burden is light tMath. xi. 50'. ihe
Christians at Antioch were made glad py
this letter and these words from the brefh'
rem fverses 81. 80. Words from God are e.
wavs intended TO make US glad and give ~
peace ii We ara honestly desirous Of walking
.. with Him. SEQ Jer. xxx. II; Fs. xxxv.s
s. I John l.. Al ssson Helper.