Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-06-07
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
June 8.
Subject: The Council at jerusalem. Acts xy.
2Z-3j-Goldeu Text, Gal. ". Memory
Verses. Is. z9-Commentary on
the Days Lesson.

the Days Lesson.
Connecting Links-After returning from
the first missionary journey Paul and
Barnabas abode in Antioch long tune
They were taking a much needed rest and
attending to the home work. The great
question which was now dividing the opln-
ions of the church was whether the Ten:
tiles must become Jewish proselytes and
submit to circumcision in order to be
saved. After a time certain jews whC
were Christians but who still held to the
ceremonial law came from Jerusalem to
Antioch and began to teach among the
converts there that unless they were cir
cumcised they could not be saved. The
church had been in existence for about
twenty years and had extended its bord-
ers into several heather towns and it in.
cluded many Gentiles, and If these teach.
ers were permitted to continue they would
destroy the work Our lesson properly
begins with the first verse of the chapter
and includes the whole account OF this
first council in the history OF the church.
It was conducted on Christian PRINCIPLES.
It came together IL the interest OF tru:h.
to promote peace and harmony between
the contending factions. Those who com
posed it were not party men, but wee
ready to yield all personal views and feel
ings when they saw what was right.
%. Then pleased it" The, whole
church came to unanimous MN rh; dec cnaSn.
it clear that the deputies sent to Antioch
were chosen by The whole body. They
were chosen because of their piety ard
qualifications. Judas called Earnabas."
Or. W Not the Judas mentioned II
chap. l: Is. His surname was Thadcaeus.
Matt. 10: 3. Matthew Henry and others
say that he was the brother of joseph
D. oh Arfa 10 10 -
else mentioned in the New Testament. and
this is all we know OF hin. And Silas:
Elsewhere called ''Sylvaaus." = Cor. /:
10; l Peter 5: II. He was a Rcr,an citi-
zen (chap. l6: GU, and PauPs companion
at a later date. Chap. l6: l9, etc. Chief
men, Men of influence and authority n
the church. In. verse g they are said @
have been prophets. They evidently had
been engaged as preachers and rulers n
the church at Jerusalem.
%. Wrote letters" They sent writ
ten communication so the churches could
have the exact words of the decision. BY
them" By Judas and Silas. Greeting"
hsppiress Of the persons addressed.
Syria" Antioch was the capital of Syria.
and from this We see that the trouble
had spread TO other places in the prov
ince. "Cilicia." PauPs native province.
1t is probably that the controversy had
not arisen il the same form in other
places.
"a. Have heard" Through Paul ard
bled you with doctrines producing con-
tention. "Subverting" This is used in
the sense of disturbing or destroying, and
here denotes that they unsettled their
minds and produced anxiety and distress
by these doctrines about Moses. No
commandment. r. W They went wholly
b1
Such" which is not in the Greek, makes
the expression stronger.
25. Seemed coed" 1t seemed to lis
the proper thing to do. Win ore &C.
cord" How wonderfully the Holy Spirit
had finally united them in settling this
great question. Our beloved The il.
tention of the whole letter is 10 show the
was due to these missionary laSorers.
&c. .Hazarded their lives" More than
once they had been in great danger.
Chap. Is: so; IA: 10, etc. This was 4
strong endorsement of Paul and Barrabas.
"In the name," etc. This is the supreme
motive of all true Christian EFFORT.
y. also tell you, They would give
fuller information and answer every il.
quiry that might be proposed
IS. 1T seemed good etc. This cx-
preston shows that although tae two
agencies were distinct, yet they were in
perfect accord Necessary things"
icy were necessary in order 10 promote
the peace and concord of Jewish and Gen
tile Christianity at that tirre; but the
bition.
90. Offered to idols" Nearly all
meats were thus desecrated. To the jew
this was an abomiration. And from
blood" This was forbidden by the lav
of Moses LEV. 9: II; II: 1919. but
among the Gentles it was delicacy.
Things strangled" Animals dying FROM
suffocation. These were not used for food
by the Jews, because the blood was stil
in them. Paul discusses this question in
Romans Ia and Corinthians s. From
fornication.' This was a requirement OF
different kind and is always binding. 1t
was added because it was the peculiar and
besetting sin of the Gentiles, who did not
regard it as wrong. but as part of their
worship. in honor of their gods. The
purity OF the church was at stake. The
Levitical law was very strict against ey-
cry form of unchastity. See Lev. IS and
20. Shall do we'll" See r. V. Fare
we we'll" The ordinary close of letter
anciently. Be We in health and vigor.
with religious Services Compare Pe0I is: s..
end perhaps with an escort for some
miles on the way. Down to Antioch"
(R. W Jerusalem. the chosen place. il
always referred to in the Bible as up"
In reference to Jerusalem all other PLACES
would be down" The multitude" The
whole body of the church. 1t was mes
sage from one church to another.
81. "Rejoiced." That they were not
to be subjected to the burdensome rights
and ceremonies of the Jewish religion
Consolation" The consolation Would
be felt by the Jews as well as the Cen
tiles.
80: "Being prophets" Not in the sense
OF foretelling future events, but, being
filed with the S..i-;t. they spake in cx,
Plantation of the word of God. Con.
iirmed. Strengthened and established
them in faith.
80. "a space" A space of tine. "Ia
peace" The brethren took leave of Their,
in the best wishes for their safety and
welfare. Judas and Silas both returned
to Jerusalem, as their commission would
require, but Silas must have soon rejoiled
Paul at Antioch, sine we find him there
in verse 40. Luke has passed over th.t
second journey.
Valuable Inform alton.