The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-05-26
LESSON FOR MAY %
THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM,

LESSON TEXT-Acts l5:1-S.
GOLDEN TEXT-For freedom did
Christ set us free.-Gal. 81.
The events of this lesson are out
standing in Christian history. Paul's
appeal to the Gentiles and the large
number Of them who accepted the Cos
pei made most acute the question.
Must Gentle believers become Jew
1sh proselytes upon accepting the
Christian faith and be governed by
Jewish law and customsr" 1t would
be exceedingly interesting to divide
q class and let them debate this con-
troversy stated as follows: Resolved.
That the Mosaic law should not have
been imposed Upon Gentle Chris
tians." The date of this council was
A. D. so or 81, and the scene is laid
first in Antioch Of Syria and then in
Jerusalem.
I. A Division Of Opinion wv. 1-S).
Luke does not name those who agi-
tated and precipitated this contro-
versy. but clearly indicates how the
Holy Spirit dealt with the situation.
is a man justified by faith. or by the
works of the law" is a similar ques
ton with modern application. The
Holy Spirit, to avoid a rupture in the
yet weak church, directs that Paul,
Barnabas, Titus (Gal. I'D and or
tain others" who are not named.
should carry the question to the apos-
ties and elders in Jerusalem. Those
to whom they went were "of reputa-
ton" (Gal. 2:2), the pillars" Gal.
2:9) and they received te delegation
from Antioch in public $50, also
heard Paul in private (Gal. 2:2).
IL. The Argument. wv. 6-1s). It
will not do to be harsh in condemn
ing Paul's accusers. The Pharisees
felt deeply their position. AS Gods
chosen people they we're marked by
circumcision. Jesus, the promised Mes
s1ah, was a Jew. Social. religious.
and racial differences are hard to rec
oncile in n church today. But little
was asked Of the Gentiles in contrast
with all they received. Entrance to
church membership would not be too
easy If circumcision were imposed as
a test of their sincerity. Peter brought
forward the plea before the council
that God had given the Holy Spirit to
the uncircumcized Christians, and put
difference between us and them,
purifying their hearts by faith" wv.
81. God bears the same witness
today to those who refuse to be bound
by Mosaic traditions as regards the
seventh day and other such details
Pauls argument was hat God had
wrought signs and wonders AMONG
the Gentiles and thus set his seal
upon his preaching of salvation as
apart from legalistic works ". 12).
Read in this connection Gal. 2:16, IT,
tus 1920, 8:3, 1914, and Phil. 80.
The apostle James presented the third
argument in connection with the YER
dict he pronounced. 1t was that it
is according to Old Testament Scrip
ture that God will take a people for
his name from among the uncircum-
sized Gentiles as well as from among
the law-keepfng Jews Tvs. 1870.
With Paul this was a vital question,
and we can at least imagine his feel
fngs as he puts forth a life-and-death
struggle for the truth. AS Peter re-
minded the people Of the OCCASION
1.-The Holy Spirit came upon Cor
nelius and his household" he caused
them to keep silence.
I'LL. A Wise Decision wv. 1929. It
was James the Just, brother Of our
Lord, the writer of the epistle and
the bishop overseer of the church at
who rendered the decision.
his argument Tvs. 1879 he saw
In these Gentle converts reported by
and Saul a fulfllment OF
prophecy of Amos, and to use the
language Of today he made q mo-
viz. that these Gentiles be not
except in such matters as
tend to more fully separate
them from the heather idolatry they
just left, (a) Pollution Of idols"
|. e.. flesh offered in the sacrifices obi
from fornication,' the immortality
with the pagan worship OF
and Cybele which actually
:onsecrated vice. and (c) from things
for the heather did not.
the Jews did, look upon the blood
life, the seat of the soul. The
church readily agreed to this motion
and took such precautions as were
that no Misrepresentation OF
heir decision be carried back to Anti
och. This consisted of a spirited
of messengers and in a written.
statement Of their decision Tvs. %, 23).
letter is interesting. % They
the Gentiles as brothers, for
n Christ we are all kin. 1t is sad
% contemplate the unchristian separa-
ion of p~resent-day professed followers
If Christ. Certain have trou-
oled you with Words" such are not
lead yet-men who wrangle over
words or else whisper false words to-
Young converts, and who must be met
With truth (Co1. ago.; Tim. 3~:13:15).
There was absolute unanimity among
hose at Jerusalem, they were OF one
accord" ". 24). There is surely no.
iced OF differences and discord on
essential points among those who ac-
:ept the authority Of the Bible, who
lsk God for wisdom (James 1:5-7) and
lccept Jesus Christ as Savior and
Lord. II Christians sought more the
mind Of the Spirit and looked less
N the wisdom OF men they would not
70 SO often at variance with each
,ther.