Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-08-18

LESSON TEXT-Acts ISL; 1876.
GOLDEN TExT-But we believe that
through the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ we shall be saved.-Acts 15:11.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Gal. 211-21;
6:1-26 Eph. 2:4-2.
PRIMARY Troublesome of Paul's
Helpers.
JUNIOR Notwithstanding of the Sec
ond Missionary Journey.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Re visiting Friends in Asia Minor
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul Champions Christian Liberty
1. The Controversy In the Church at
Antioch WV. 1-5).
This difficulty was most serious
one, for it threatened the disruption
of the church into Jewish and Gentle
divisions.
The question was, "Shall Gentle con-
verts be required to keep the Mosaic
law as condition of salvationp' 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" w. y. 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-
II :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.
II. The Deliberations Of the Council
wv. 6-21).
/. Peters Speech wv. 7-1D. He
argued that God had borne witness to
His acceptance of the Gentiles by CIV
ing the Holy Spirit to them the same
as unto the Jews. Since, therefore,
God had not put difference it would
be folly for them to do so. Gods
action in sending Peter unto them was
the unanswerable proof that there was
no distinction to be made.
2. Paul and Barnabas rehearse their
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. IL
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 Gen
tiles was not in conflict with Gods
plan. but in strict harmony there
with. Gods plan for the ages Is as
follows: Q) 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 ard restored to their land
and privileges by the Lord himself
at His return wv. 16, I'd. 60 Follow
ing this will be the conversion of the
world through the agency of con-
verified Israel ". IT; CT Rom. II: 15).
His Judgment was that the Gen
tiles should not be troubled with
things that are Jewish, but should be
warned against the perils of heathen-
ism, such as meat offered to idols,
fornication, and blood.
III. The Decision wv. 22-29).
The mother church at Jerusalem
came to a unanimous agreement and
accepted the resolution offered by
James. They not only sent a 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 had
been reached wv. 25-27).
". The Second Missionary Journey
Begun Us SO; 1853:
/. Contention over John Mark wv
36-4D. Paul was suspicious Of Mark
because of his desertion on the former
Journey Barnabas took Mark and
sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas and
went through Syria and Cilicia con-
firming the churches. The Lord thus
/ overruled it to good. for 1t gave an
opportunity for wider dissemination
of the gospel.
2. Finding Timothy (16 :1-5). This
was at the very place where Paul on
his first journey had endured cruel
stoning. Timothy was with Paul
through much Of his work ever after