Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-06-05
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
International Lesson Comments For
June s.
Subicct The Council at Jerusalem, Acts XIV,
2l.33-Golden Text, Gal. ", MEMORY
Verses, rs. ~ Commentary on
the Days Lesson.

Connecting Links.-After returning from
the first missionary journey faui any
Barnabas abode in Antioch long time.
They were taking much needcd rest anu
attending to the home Woik; l ne e enin.
ions Of the church was whether the zen,
tiles must become Jewish proselytes ana
submit to circumcision in order TO pe
saved. After time certain Jews VINO
were Christians but who still held 10 tne
ceremonial law came from Jerusalem W
Antioch and began to, teach among ane
cumcised they could not be saved Inc
church had been In existence for about
twenty years and had extended its bord-
ers into several heather towns anu 1t IN
Guided many Gentles, and II these teach,
ers were permitted to continue they would
destroy Che work. Our lesson properly
begins with the first verse OF the cnapter
and includes the whole account OF tlllS
frat council in the history OF the chureh'
II was conducted Oh Christian principles.
II came together in the interest OF truln,
RI nromote peace and harmony between
| the contending factions. Those WHO corr.
nosed Il were not party men, but wee
ready to yield all personal views ana icef
ings when they saw what was rieht'
%. "Then pleased 1t Inc M! iS,,
church came to Hna3m0u This e'I r1akes
I.
it clear that the deputies sent to Anliocn
We're chosen by The whole body. they
were chosen because of their ,piety ana
qualifications. Judas called Garnabas:'
x. W Not the Judas mentioncd -
chap. |: 49, His surname was Thaddaeus.
Matt. 10: 3. Matthew Henry and others
say that he was the brother OF joseph
a 9srn mentioned S in the New Testament and
this is all we know of him. And silas;;
Elsewhere called "Sylvanus.' 2 Cor /:
ig: / Peter s: u. He was q Ecrial citi'
zen (chap. lG: 37,, and Pauis conran'o1
at later date. Chap. l6: l99, etc, Cher
men," Men of influence and authority VI
the church In verse - they are sa,d 20
have been prophets. They evldentiy hau
| been engaged as preachers ana rulers IL
| 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
A salutation expressing their desire, OF thc
| happress Of the persons addressed.
Syria" Antioch was the capital OF Syria,
| and from this we sec that the trouble
had spread TO other places in the prov
| ince. "Ciica." Paufs native province;
| 1t is probably that the controversy had
| not arisen il the same form IN other
"a. Have heard" Through Paul ard
Barnabas. Certain Those referred 70
bled you with doctrines producing con-
| tention. "Subverting.' his Is used IN
| here denotes that they unsettled tier
minds and produced anxiety. and distress
| by these doctrines about Moses. No
| Commandment Or. W They went wholly
| without authority. Omitting the wCrd
"such," which is not in the Greek, makes
| the expression stronger.
| Is. Seemed good" 1t seemed to us
the proper thing to do. "'Wi;h one &C. &C.
cord" How wonderfully the Holy Spint
| had finally united them in setting this
| great question. Our beloved" The IL
tenton of the whole letter is to show the
| honor which the church in Jerusalem lit
was due to these missionary laboyers.
| 2G. "Hazardcd their lives" More than
once they had been in great danger.
| Chap. ID: 80; IA: 10, etc. This was
strong endorsement OF Paul and Barnabas,
motive of all true Christian effort.
27. also tell YOU They would give
| fuller information and answer eve"y i'll.
quiry that might be proposed.
%. 1T seemed good etc. This cN-
preston shows that although thc two
agencies were distinct, yet they were N i,
/ perfect accord. Necessary things.
4 -
| the peace and concord of Jewish and Gen
| lie Christianity at that time; but the
| fourth requirement is perpetual prom
%, Offered t. idols" Nearly al
| meats were thus dcsccratcd. To the jew
! this was an abOmiratlon. And from
blood" This was forbidden by the law
of Moses Uev. 3; u; II: 1910. bat
among the Gcntiles it was a, dehcacy.
"Thines strangcd." Animals dying from
| suffocatiou. These were not used for food
| by the Jews because the blood was still
| in them. Paul discusses this question N
| Romans IA and | Corinthians s. From
| fornication." This was a requirement. OF
| q different kind and is always blndlnG. 1t
was added because it was the peculiar and
| besetting sin of the Gentiles, who did not
| regard it as wrong. but as Il part OF their
| worship, in honor of their gods. The
| purity of the church was at stake. The
| levitical law was very strict against cV,
cry form of unchastity. See Lev Is and
90. shall do WE'LL" See X. V. Pare
We we'll" The ordinary close of a letter
ancienty. BE We in health and vigor,,
80. Dismissed" In all probability
and perhaps with an escort for some
miles on the way. Down to Antioch -
| Or. W Jerusalem, the chosen place i!
always referred to in the Bible as up
In reference to Jerusalem all other ,p!aasc,cs
would be down" THE multitude" The
whole body of the church 1t was mes
sage from one church to another.
81. "Reioiced" That they were not 1t
and ceremonies of the Jewish religion.
Consolation" The consolation would
be felt by the Jews as well as the Gen.
tiles.
80. "Being prophets" Not in the sense
Of foretelling future events, but, being
filled with the ,Sl>irt, they spake in OK
flrmed." Strengthened and established
them in faith.
80, "a space, A space of time. Il,
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 rcjoi1e
Paul at Antioch, sin we find him there
in verse 40. Luke has passed over th.t
second journey.