Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-11

No questions arouse the passions OF
men more than religious problems or
chose that are given a religious slant.
When Paul and Banab3S returned to
Antioch. after nm absence Of three years
on their first missionary Journey they
found the church in that city agitated
over The relation of a Gentle believer
t0 the law of Moses. Certain sincere
and Wcu meaning brethren, but mis-
taken Hebrew Christians, had insisted
mat The only way for the Ccntlcs to
be sure OF salvation was for them to
bC CIrcUmciScd.
Paul took a stand for religious liberty
and insisted upon the spiritual freedom
of the Gentle converts, claiming that
I'm Jesus Christ neither CIRCUMCISION
avAi,oth anything. nor unCircumciSion.
but faith which Worketh by love Paul
stood for new gospel. new spirit, new
low new freedom in new age. Against
The APOSTLES views of salvation by faith
were certain phariSeeS who had adopted
me Christian faith and appealed to the
authority of the Scriptures TO sustain
thclr DoSltiun. Gen. XyU.l3. IA They
insisted that God had appointed cir
ruY72riSinu as The soul of the covenant
and had declared that the lmcircunr-
ciseG were outside the covenant, and
therefore dcomcd to death. except they
vcre circrmcisod The debate divided
the church and threatened to split II
into two separate bodies
Reading over the record IN Acts, INC
cause of tho controversy may appear 10
be quite trivial, but 1t was q question
that had been a source Of division in
ono form or another ever since Stephen
had advanced his views that the Gospel
of Jesus Christ was for all men.
Peters action In reference to the con-
version and baptism Of Cornelius made
Oh, question acute In The Jerusalem
Church. when they declared that God
had granted repentance unto life To
The Gentiles. Although this principle,
which was the one maintained by Paul,
removed The restriction of Judaism
from those Of Gentle birth. yet 1t was
inevitable that the controversy would
come Naturally it arose in Antioch
which was located upon the border be-
tween SYRIA and Galatia. making II a
meeting place OF all nations and races.
The presence of different races and
types Of men In great numbers means
divergent ideals. Difference in thought
and background gives rise to serious
problems.
Appealed TO Jerusalem.
In suggesting the removal of the dis
cussion from Antioch 10 Jerusalem the
danger Of division was removed. The
passions. pre- iudices and partisan spirit
in Antioch prevented an appeal 10 rea-
son. and the whole question was filling
the church with a turbulent spirit,
which was destructive in its nature OF
the peace and spiritual life Of the
Low, homo nf
the APOSTLES and the trouble makers
had come from the mother church
there, SO the opponents Of Paul could
not object 10 the proposal that their
advice be sought The Antioch
Church appointed q commission COM
posed Of Paul and Barnabas and GER
tain other brethren, Titus, Greek, Is
the only other member whose name has
come down to US as being included in
that group of messengers.
Upon the way to Jerusalem they vis-
tied the churches in Phenice and Sa-
maria and told them Of the triumph
Of the Gospel among the heather Ac-
cordinc to the custom among the
Greeks. Romans and Jews these |
brethren would entertain the commits !
sion and go part way with them on /
their journey, furnishing them with |
supplies as an evidence Of their broth |
erly regard and esteem They were |
welcomed by the Jerusalem brethren, |
who recalled how on their former visit /
Paul and Barnabas had brought them |
generous offerings for their relief work \
from the Antioch Church Paul had |
with the pillars of the |
church" before the brethren met 70 |
consider the matter which had been |
referred to them by the Antioch |
Church that called for the Jerusalem |
Church 10 advise their Antioch breth- !
rem as 10 how much Of the Old Tesla
ment requirements must the gentiles
adopt and practice. in addition to
accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord !
and Savior. 10 be saved. The apostles |
made no effort to settle the questions !
involved themselves, but referred them |
10 the membership Of the church. which |
was convened to consider the per-
picking problem.
The Councils Decision.
After much discussion Of the sub
tect by the members Peter made q
pacifying speech before that body, /
which was one Of the most important
gatherings in all the history Of Chris
tianity. 1t marked an epoch In the
apostolic church life opening the door
Of Christianity TO the gentiles and
making possible the preservation Of the
Roman civilization. Peter championed
The gospel Of grace and the liberty OF
all believers In a speech that the mod