Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-05-18
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
International Lesson for May %. 1897
The Conference at JerusaHem-
Aofs

International Lesson for May %. 1897
The Conference at Jerusalem-
Acts 15:1-G, 22-2o.
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.l
GOLDEN TEXT.-Through the grace
Of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved,
even as they.-Acts 1911.
TIME.-About A. D. 50. as almost uni
versally agreed.
LESSON COMMENT.
I. A Serious Question Arises in the
Church.-Vs. 1, 2. Gal. 81. The ques-
ton that divided the opinions of the
church was whether the Gentiles must
become Jewish proselytes, and submit
to the Jewish ceremonial law in order
TO be saved.
Paul and the Gentle Christians denied
that there was any such obligation.
Repentance, faith in Christ and a new
heart implanted by the Holy Spirit were
the only conditions. The Jews might
keep their ceremonial law if they
wished, even as Paul and Barnabas did,
as part of their national life, but it
must not be imposed upon the Gentiles
as necessity.
II. A Delegation is Sent to Jerusalem
for Advice.-Vs. 2, 3. Gal. 81, 2. 2.
"No small dissension and disputation."
Both sides were sure they were right,
and found no way Of agreement.
''They determined" Under the guild
| ance of the Holy Spirit, as Paul says in
Galatians 2:2. 'That Paul." The lead
er on the Gentle side, brought up a
strict Pharisee, a. Hebrew of the He
| brews; this was Paul's third visit to
Jerusalem. "And Barnabas:" The
much to the poor at Jerusalem, and was
gifted with the power of exhortation.
| "And certain others of them" Lead
ers who could testify to the work
among the Gentiles, and give weight to
the delegation. Among them was Titus
| (Gal. 2:1), a Gentle Christian. "Should
go up to jerusalem" about 800 miles
away, for advice.
III. The Discussion.-Vs. 4-21. Gal.
1923. 4. "They were received of the
church," The word translated here
"were received" implies cordial recep-
ton on the part of the Jerusalem COM
munity, who welcomed with affection
Barnabas and Paul as the great mis-
sionaries of the faith.
Peter in VS.. I'll, relates his own ex-
perience of the Divine vision, the con-
version of Cornelius, and the gift of the
Holy Spirit coming equally upon the
Gentiles and the Jews, thus giving the
Divine Endorsement to their equality
in the new dispensation.
The Testimony of Paul and Barnabas
in v. IL is that God by miracles and won
ders had Endorsed their action in receiv-
ing the Gentiles.
James, the chief of the Jerusalem
church and a very strict Jew, was CON
vinced by the facts, by the working on
God, by His Spirit, and by finding the
same truth in the prophet Amos.
4. The Decision.-Vs. 1929. Gal
80, 10. %. ''Then it pleased:" etc. The
whole church came to a unanimous de-
cision.
First, to send delegates. Judas, sur
named Barsabas:" son of Sabas. Moth
ing is known of him. "And Silas:'
Shortened form of Silvanus. He be-
came Paml's missionary companion.
Second, they sent written decision,
that those who had gone from Jerusi-
lem and troubled the Gentiles had ex-
ceeded their authority. The church
had given no commandment (the word
means express orders or injunc tion'')
that the Genti]es must become Jews in
order to be saved. %. sit seemed good
to the Holy Spirit" BY His action upon
the Gertiles as related in the conference.
rs plainly as actions could speak, the
Divinew will had been made known. And
to u.s." Convinced by the arguments,
by the inspired Scriptures, and by the
workings of the Holy Spirit. What
would convince them ought to convince
and satisfy the whole church every
where. On the other hand, it was
right that for a time, and under the cir
cumstsnces, the Gentles should yield
something to the position and legal
customs of the Jews, otherwise it was
impossible for them to unite together
socially as Christian brethren. Three
of the required things were of this
kind. 20. ''Mei;ls offered to idols:''
lieat thus offered would have been
killed in way forbidden by the Jews,
and they would be liable to pollution.
"And from blood" Blood was forbid
den to the Jews by the Levitical law
| Lev. 3: II; 17:10-14), but among the
Gcntiles, it was, in various forms, a
Gelicacy; they were accustomed to
drink blood mingled with wine at their
sacrifices"
''And from things stranglcd:" Things
strangled were not used as food by the
Jews, because the blood was still in
them. Abstinence from them was,
therefore, enjoined for the same reason.
These prohibitions were only tempo
rary, and to meet the necessities of
Christian intercourse at the time Paul
discusses this question In Romans II
and Corinthians s.
But the fourth prohibition was diff
ferent. "And from fornication:" This
WAS added because it was the peculiar
besetting sin of the GENTLE converts,
who had grown up in an atmosphere
where it was not regarded as wrong,
but was often {; part Of the very worship