Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-08-18
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SllnndayScllool
' Lesson '
By REV. P. B. FITzwATER. d. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago)
t9, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.D
LESSON FOR AUGUST Il.
PAUL PREPARES FOR WORLD
CONQUEST.
LESSON TExT-Acts 15:1; 1915.

LESSON TEXT-Acts 15:1; 1915.
GOLDEN TEXT-But we believe that
through the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ we shall be saved.-Acts 15:11.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Gal. 2:l1-2l;
5:1-26; Eph. 2:4-22
PRIMARY TOPIC-Some of Paurs
Helpers.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Beginning of the Sec
ond Missionary Journey.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Revisiting 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 a most serious
one, for it threatened the disruption
of 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
nelius into his household. The ques-
ton now is, "On what grounds can
they be received? Shall Gentle con-
vertS be required to keep the Mosaic
law as condition of salvationY This
issue was brought on by the coming
of certain men from Jerusalem who
declared, Except ye be circumcised
after the manner of Moses, ye 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
ns,,f 41,0 I,,,n &c
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 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 at Jerusalem they re-
hearsed the things which God had
done for them.
II. The Deliberations Of the Council
| (vv. CPD.
After some desutory discussion
". y, the conference proceeded to
serious business.
]. 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.
3 Paul and Barnabas rehearse their
experience (v. 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.
s. The argument of James (vv. IA
2D. He took the fact declared by
Peter and showed how it harnfonized
with the prophecy of Amos. He
showed that the reception of the Gen
plan. but in strict harmony there
with Gods plan for the ages is as
follows: ID Taking out from among
the Gentiles a people for His name
". 14). This is what is now going or
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. 16, 10. (3) Follow
ing this will be the conversion of the
world through the agency of con
verted Israel (v. II; CT Rom. IL: 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 witt
things that are Jewish, but should bt
warned against the perils of heather
ism, such as meat offered to idols
fornication, and blood.
III. The Decision wv. 22-29).
The mother church at Jerusalem
came to unanimous agreement ant
accepted the resolution offered by
James. They not only sent letter
stating the decision of the conference
but took the wise precaution to sent
influential men along with Paul anC
Barnabas to bear the same testimony
by word of mouth. This letter de
MED the authority of the Judaizinl
teachers ". 24, and declared tht
method by which this decision kaC
been reached (vv 25-27). They pu
the Holy Spirit first. The church was
called together to hear the report
Its reading brought great rejoicing.
~. The Second Missionary Journey
Begun 5:36; 16 :5):
l. Contention over John Mark wv
36-41). Paul was suspicious of Marl
because of his desertion on the forme
Journey. Barnabas took Mark anC
sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas ant
went through Syria and Cilicia con
firming the churches. The Lord thu
overruIed it TO good, for it gave al
: opportunity for wider dissemination
of the gospel
.. Finding Timothy (16:1-5). Thi
was at the very place where Paul ol
his first journey had endured crue
stoning. Timothy was with Pau
through much of his work ever after
ward, great blessing to him.
Our Strength and Our Victory.