Roanoke Rapids herald., 1921-08-19

GOLDEN TExT-But we believe that
, through the grace of the Lord jesus
Christ we shall be saved.-Acts 1911.
REFERENCE MATERIAL--Gal. 2:11-2;
6:l-26; Eph. NAP.
PRIMARY ToPIC-some Of Paul's
Helpers.
JUNIOR TopIC-Beginnlng Of the Sec
ond Missionary Journey
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Revisiting Friends in Asia Minor
| YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul Champions Christian Liberty.
I. The Controversy In the Church at
Antioch wv. 1-5).
This difficulty was a most serious
one, for 1t threatened the disruption
Of the church into Jewish and Gentle
divisions. It was not question Of the
admission Of the Gentlles into the
church; that had been settled some
years before when Peter received Cor
nellus into his household. The ques-
tiOn now Is, "On what grounds can
they be received1 Shall Gentle con-
verts be required to keep the Mosaic
law as condition Of salvation?" This
Issue was brought on by the coming
Of certain men from Jerusalem who
declared, Except We be clrcumclsed
after the manner of Moses, We cannot
be saved" ". ~ The question was so
difficult that Paul and Barnabas were
unable to put them to silence. These
Jewish legalists had the letter Of the
Scriptures on their side; they could
point to tho commandments where
this was enjoIned upon believers (Gen.
17:14). Paul could not point to any
Scripture where It had been abro-
gated. If Paul could plead that Abra-
ham was justified before he was cir
cumcised, his antagonist could say,
"Yes, but after justification the rite
was divlnely imposed" The brethren
at Antioch decided to refer the matter
to the mother church at Jerusalem. Ac.
cordlngly Paul and Barnabas and
others were sent as deputatlon to
Jerusalem. At an informal reception
by the church at Jerusalem they re-
hearsed the things which God had
done for them.
u. The Deliberations Of the Council
wv. 8-o1).
y After some desultory discussion
". y, the conference proceeded to
serious business.
]. Peters Speech wv. 7-11). He
argued that God had borne witness to
His acceptance of the Genties by CIV
ing tho Holy Spirit to them the same
as unto the Jews. Since. therefore,
God had not put difference 1t would
be folly for them to do so. Gods
action In serding Peter unto them was
the unanswerable proof that there was
no distinction to be made.
2. Paul and Barnaoas rehearse their
experience w. 10y. They told how TINT
God Ind set His seal of approval upon
their preaching Of salvation by grace
through faith apart from works, by the
working of signs and wonders through
them.
3. The argument of James (vv. IA
Ply. He took the fact declared by
Peter and showed how 1t harmonized
with the prophecy of Amos. He
showed that the reception of the Cen
tiles was not in conflict with Gods
plan. but In strict harmony there
with. Gods plan for the ages Is as
follows: ~ Taking out from among
the Gentiles a people for His name
". 14). This Is what is now going on
the calling out Of the church. (2)
After the church is completed and re-
moved the Israelitish nation will be
converted and restored to their land
and privileges by the Lord himself
at His return wv. 10, ~. (3) Follow
Ing this will be the conversion OF the
world through the agency Of con-
verted Israel ". II; cf. Rom. IL: 15).
He showed that there is no conflict
when the Scriptures are rightly a.
vided. His judgment was that the
Gentiles should not be troubled with
things that are Jewish, but should be =.
warned against the perls of heathen-
Ism, such as meat offered to idols }
and blood.
III. The Decision wv. 22-29).
The mother church at Jerusalem
came to unanimous agreement and 9
the resolution offered By
James. They not only sent a letter U
stating the decision of the conference,
)ut took the wise precautlon to send
influential men along with Paul and
Barnabas to bear the same testimony ;
~ word Of mouth. This letter de- I
lied the authority of the Judaizing .
teachers ". 24), and declared the c
method by which this decision had q
,een reached wv. 25-27). They put D
he Holy Spirit FIRST. The church was q
'alled togetherEto hear the report. $
is reading brought great rejoicing. q
w. The Second Missionary Journey u
3egun (15 :38; 16:5): u
l. Contention over John Mark wv. "
6-41). Paul was suspicious Of Mark "
'ecause of his desertion on the former
Quincy. Barnabas took Mark and
allied to Cyprus. Paul chose Sllas and q
vent through Syria and Cillcla con. :,
rming the churches. The Lord thus :,
verruled 1t TO good, for 1t gave an ;,
pportunity for wider dissemination G
+ the gospel. :,
2. Finding Timothy (16:1-5). This T.,
pas at the very place where Paul on ;,
is first journey had endured cruel =,
toning. Timothy was with Paul =
through much Of bis work ever after. =,
'ard, great blessing to him. "