The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-11-23

LESSON TEXT: John lT:2U'zS; Acts
GOLDEN TEXT: We are laborers TO.
gether with God.-l Corinthians 3:9.
Unity within the Church is Gods
plan and purpose, but that does not
mean that some man-made plans
for unity are either scriptural or de-
sirable. There Is much pressure be-
ing exerted row to unite the Church
on the basis Of a vast ecclesiastical
organization, quite apart from any
doctrinal or spiritual unity.
Such unity was not in our Lords
mind. He wants spiritual unity, and
in such fellowship the Church will
find its only real bond Of united life
and action.
I. Unity In Spirit (John l7:20-23).
Here we enter the veritable holy
of holes Of Scripture. Facing the
time of His departure and death, the
Lord prayed for those who believed,
or would believe ". 20) on Him.
What was His prayer? That they
should be one with the Father, with
Him, and with one another. This
had to be accomplished while they
remained in this wicked world (see
John 17:13-16). How? BY the
cleansing and sanctifying work of
the truth.
The Word Of God-the Bibles
the instrument used by the Holy
Spirit in this work of sanctification.
Small wonder that there is little
holiness and spiritual unity when the
Word has SO little opportunity to
touch and to cleanse. Reader, do you
study Gods Word?
Such separation to God will result
in real spiritual unity between those
of all denominations and creeds. It
is not some artificial thing to be put
on from the outside. It comes from
the heart Of man and reaches out
into his life and into the lives of 9TH
ers.
ii. Unity in Action (Acts 15:22-27).
Satan tried to thwart the mission
AIRY efforts of the Church at the very
outset by starting a doctrinal con-
troversy.
Although the first council at Jeru-
salem (Acts 11) had decided that ito
the Gentiles also hath God granted
repentance unto life," the question
did not stay settled, for there were
persistent Judaizing teachers who
now contended that even though the
Gentiles could be saved, they had
to come into the church by way Of
Judaism and first fulfill the Jewish
rite of circumcision.
The story of how this vital and fun
damental question came up is found
in the early verses of Acts Is. The
entire future of the gospel ministry
was in a sense dependent on the So
luton of this problem. Christianity
is the only religious faith in the
world that presents justification by
grace as the way of redemption; all
others follow (more or less) the path
Of salvation by works.
The question now was: Shall
works of the law be mingled with
grace? Can Jesus Christ alone save
men, or is salvation through Jesus
Christ plus something else?
How was such a serious question
to be settled? Should argument and
strife be permitted to 60 on until
the stronger party prevailed? Bet
ter judgment indicated the desira-
bility of Christian method of set
Element.
The final decision of the council is
sent not only by Paul and Barnabas,
but also by committee from Jeru-
salem, a gracious gesture of fellow
ship.
AS matter of record "a wise pro-
cedure in such case), a letter was
sent which, after addressing the
Gentiles as brethren" reviewed
the history Of the matter and then,
without mentioning circumcision at
all, put upon the Gentiles mo great
er burden than the necessary
things" And what were those?
Those things which relate to purity
Of life as those who were enjoying
Christian liberty. The law of Moses
need not be kept as a ground of sal
walton. They were saved by grace.
But grace can never be the cloak
Of careless living, nor can liberty
in Christ be interpreted as license
to live in sin. We are set free in
Christ, not that we may sin, but that
we may Ego and sin no more"
iii. Unity in Doctrine (Acts IS:
%, 29).
In non-essentials we should exer-
else toward other believers the
greatest love and consideration. Men
have right to differences Of opin-
ion, and must follow the dictates of
their own consciences. Let us not be
betrayed into controversy on such
matters.
There are certain foundation doc
trines which must be held if a
church is to be Christian; concern
ing these we stand together. There
is faith for which we are to ear
nestly contend dude 81. We are
never, even on the grounds of sup
posed courtesy, to give aid and COM
fort to false teachers (II John Gid.
I