The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-08-20
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REV. ]. ]. DICKEY.

When Paul and Barnabas returned
to Antioch from their first Missionary
tour they found there Jews from Ju-
dea who commended that converted
Gentiles should be circumcised ac-
cording to the Mosaic law. These
were converted Jews. Paul and Barn.
abas took issue with them, and the
Antioch church decided to refer the
matter to the apostles at Jerusalem,
Accordingly they dispatched a delega-
ton, headed by Paul and Silas. Upon
their arrival Paul and Silas gave a
glowing account Of their missionary
journey and emphasized the fact OF
the conversion of so many Gentle.
Then the question in dispute came up
and was thoroughly discussed. Peter
taking a prominent part because he
was the first one to preach to the Gen.
tiles which were at the house Of Cor
nelius. He repeated the history of that
event, and took stand with Paul and
Silas that the Gentiles should not be
required to be circumcised. They
formulated the decision to that effect,
and James, the head of the apostolic
college. announced 1t to the company,
and sent the decree to the church at
Antioch that had asked for settle
ment of the controversy
The decision teaches us that Chris
tians may disagree on some points OF
doctrine and discipline and yet be
Christians. While the council at Jeru-
salem gave decision against COMPEL
ing the Gentiles to be circumcised, yet
Paul afterwards circumcised Timothy,
whose father was a Gentle, and his
mother a Jewess. There is large lib
erty given to Christians in nonessen-
tials. The lesson also teaches that the
church in its constituted state has au-
thority to interpret the Scriptures, or
to decide matters Of controversy but
it cannot bind any mans conscience.
We can see here that Christ did not
found new church but revised the old
Jewish church by changing its ordin-
ances, thus adapting the church to
new conditions made by the coming of
the Messiah, Jesus Christ as the full
fillment of prophecy. Circumcision, a
symbol CT heart cleansing, is ex-
changed for baptism symbol of the
aume thing. Bleeding sacrifices, SYM
hcl'cal Of the death Of Christ yet to
come. To 'xchanged for the Lords Sup
per, symbol'cal of his death already
accomplished. The sacrifices pointed
forward. the Lords Supper points
backward. These converted Jews that
came to Antioch from Judea were not
sufficiently taught to accept the new
symbols, and were zealously contend
ing for the old, and insisted that the
converted Gentiles should submit. Paul
and Rarnabas had seen so many Gen
tiles converted and filled with the
Holy Ghost that they were convinced
that the Judaizing brethren were
wrong. Paul being learned in the
Scriptures was better able to interpret
them. James quoted the prophecies tc
show that the new order was Biblical
We are told that these Jews who i'll
sisted on retaining the Mosaic cere-
monies in the church, split off from
the church and in time disappeared. 1t
issto this class that Paul addresses
the greater part Of his letter to the
Galatian Christians, in which he goes
thoroughly over this ground. In this
letter he brings out the great doctrine
of justification by faith without the
deeds of the law, or Mosaic ordinances
or works.