Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1921-08-18

LEiSSON IEAI--AclS l0.l1 lO.Os
GOLDEN TExT-But we believe that
through the grace of the Lord Jesun
Christ we shall be saved.-Acts 15:1L
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Gal. 2:11-A;
S:1-26; Eph BAR,
PRIMARY ToPIc-some Of Paul's
Helpers.
JUNIOR TOPIC Beginning Of the Sec
end Missionary Journey.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Revisiting Friends in Asia Minor.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul Champions Christian Liberty.
/. 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.
The question was, "Shall Gentle con-
verts be required to keep the Mosaic
law as a condition Of salvationT 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 ". ~. The question was SO
difficult that Paul and Barnabas were
unable to put them to silence. These
Jewish legaIists 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 1t had been abro-
gated. II 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-
cordingIy Paul and Barnabas and
| others were sent as deputatiOn to
Jerusalem.
Il. The Deliberations Of the Council
wv. 6-21).
/. Pcter's Speech wv. It'd. He
argued that God had borne witness to
Fills 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 1t wcnld
be folly Tor 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 (vv. a.
21). He took the fact declared by
Peter and showed how 1t harmoniZed
j 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: i1) Taking out from among
the Gentiles people for His name
". 14). This is what is now going on
the calling out of the church. (2l
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 (vv. 10. III. (3) Follow
Ing this will be the conversion of the
world through the agency of con-
verted Israel w. II; ct. Rom. IL: 15).
J His judgment was that the Cen
tiles should not he troubled with
things that are Jewish, but should be
warned against the perils of heathen-
ism, such as meat offered to idols,
f0rnicati0n, and blood.
vi. The Decision (vv. 22-29).
Il The mother church at Jerusalem
!. came to 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 Judaizine
teachers ". 24), and declared the
method by which this decision had
been reached (vv. 25-27).
~. The Second Missionary Journe,
Begun us :36; 1850:
l. Contention over John Mark (vv
36-41). Paul was suspicious Of Marx
Z because of his desertion on the former
J journey. Barnabas took Mark ant
j sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas ant
8 went through Syria and Cilicia con
!. firTning the churches. The Lord thus
. overruled 1t to good. for IT gave ar
opportunity for wider dissemination
!. Of the gospel.
! 2. Finding Timothy (18:1-5). Thi.
al was at the very place where Paul OF
: his first journey had endured crue
stoning. Timothy was with Pau
!, through much Of his work ever after
ward. great blessing to him.