Middletown transcript., 1921-08-20
LESSON FOR AUGUST 21.
PAUL PREPARES FOR WORLD
CONQUEST.

SSlNNO6oGs
LESSON TEXT-Acts ISL; 1876.
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-a;
S:1-26; Eph. 2:4-2.
PRIMARY TOPIC-some Of Paurs
Helpers.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Beginning of the Sec
md 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. 1-0.
This difficulty was a most serious
one, for it threatened the disruption
If the church into Jewish and Gentle
divisions. 1t was not question of the
admission of the Gentiles into the
church; that had been settled some
years before when Peter received Cor
aelius into his household. The ques-
ton now is, "On what grounds can
they be received? Shall Gentle con-
eerts be required to keep the Mosaic
law as a condition of Salvation?" This
issue was brought on by the coming
Of certain men from Jerusalem who
declared, Except We be circumcised
after the manner of Moses, We cannot
be saved (v. ~. 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 the 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,
Eyes, but after justification the rite
was divinely imposed" The brethren
at Antioch decided to refer the matter
to the mother church at Jerusalem. Ac-
cordingly Paul and Barnabas and
others were sent as a deputatiOn to
Jerusalem. At an informal reception
by the church ut Jerusalem they re-
hearsed the things which God had
done for them.
n. The Deliberations Of the Council
(vv 6-2D.
After some desuitory discussion
". y, the conference proceeded to
serious business.
1. Peters Speech wv. 7-1D. He
witt fn
His acceptance of the Gentilcs by Civ
ing the Holy Spirit to them the same
rs unto the Jews Since. therefore,
God had not put difference it would
he folly for theIa to do so. Gods
action in sending Peter unto them was
the unanswerabfe proof that there was
no distinction to !,a made.
2. Paul and Barnabas rehearse then
experience ". 12). They told how that
God had 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 wv. H.
2D. He took the fact declared by
Peter and showed how it harmOniZed
With the prophecy Of Amos. He
showed that the reception of the Gen
tiles was not in conflict with Gods
plan. but in strict harmony there
with. Gods plan for the ages is as
follows: O) Taking out from among
the -Gentiles a people for His name
(v. 14). This is what is now going OF
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
Mt His return (vv. 16, ~. (3) Follow
ing this will be the conversion of the
world through the agency Of con,
verted Israel ". II; Ct. Rom. II: 15)
He showed that there is no conflict |
when the Scriptures are rightly di-
vided. His judgment was that the |
Gentiles should not be troubled with
things that are Jewish, but should be
warned against the perils of heathen-
ism, such rs meat offered to idols, !
fornication, and blood.
III. The Decision ivy. 22-29).
The mother church at Jerusalem
rame to a unanimous agreement and
accepted the resolution offered by |
James, They not only sent letter
stating the decision of the conference,
but took the wise precaution to send
influential men along with Paul and
Barnabas to bear the same testimony
by word of mouth. This letter de- |
MED the authority of the Judaizing
teachers ". 24), and declared the
method by which this decision lad
been reached wv. 25-27. They put |
the Holr Spirit first. The church was
called together to hear the report
It's reading brought great rejoicing.
". The Second Missionary Journey
Begun (15:36; 1853:
/. Contention over John Mark wv |
3G-41). Paul was suspicious of Mark |
because of his desertion on the former |
journey. Barnabas took Mark and |
sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas an6 |
went through Syria and Cilicia con.
frming the churches. The Lord thus |
overruled it to good, for it gave ar !
opportunity for wider dissemination |
If the gospel.
g Finding Timothy (16:1-5). This |
was at the very place where Paul. Oh !
his first journey had endured cruel |
stoning. Timothy was with Paul |
through much of his work ever after. |
ward, a great blessing to him.
Our Strength and Our Victory.
Our times are disturbed by vast and !