The First Internal Strife.
By William N. Glenn
THE 15th chapter of Acts gives an account of the first serious internal trouble in the church. The Judean Jews were slow to believe and acknowledge that the Gentiles were on an equal footing with themselves under the gospel. We find even Peter, under whose ministry the broken partition had first been fully demonstrated, at one time so manifesting his prejudice that "even Barnabas was carried away." Gal. 2:11-13. In the midst of the prosperous times enjoyed at Antioch, after the return of Paul and Barnabas, certain ones came from Judea and taught the brethren that they should be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. Paul and Barnabas resisted the doctrine, but the dissension grew to such an extent that it was decided to have the matter settled at Jerusalem. At this meeting Peter gave his testimony, during which he raised a pointed question: "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" In modern times, some who are sore pressed for excuse to disregard the moral law have grasped at this straw, and teach that the "yoke" here referred to is the ten commandments. But the idea is not advanced by any of the standard commentaries, and in fact was little thought of by any one till all other arguments against the Sabbath of the Lord had failed. Circumcision was the main question at issue, it being a prominent part of the ceremonial law; but the moral law says nothing about circumcision, nor indeed any other ceremony. That law the observance of which is the evidence of love, Rom. 13:10, cannot be called a yoke of bondage in the sense of being burdensome. To the obedient follower of Christ, his law is a yoke only in the sense of submission, with rest—it is "easy" and "light." Matt. 11:28-30. But this first internal disturbance in the church was happily adjusted by all concerned agreeing to the decision of the arbiters. Although the question was a momentous one for that age and people, we do not read of any faction growing out of it, or the setting up of an Independent Church of the Circumcision, or any "agreement to disagree." It was settled by honestly "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph. 4:3. W. N. GLENN.