THE FIRST GENERAL CONFERENCE.
By Stephen N. Haskell
Certain men from Judea had come down to Antioch with strange doctrines, teaching the church that “except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye can not be saved.” Paul and Barnabas had great influence with the Antioch church. It was at this place that the Holy Ghost had said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Notwithstanding this the evil seed sown by these half-converted Jews who came down from Jerusalem caused a dissension that Paul and Barnabas could not settle; so after they “had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.” Acts 15:2. Under these interesting circumstances a general conference was held in Jerusalem, A. D. 51. On this occasion Peter rehearsed his experience. Paul and Barnabas gave their experience also, telling how God had wrought miracles and wonders by them among the Gentiles. James declared that the gospel going among the Gentiles was according to the words of the prophets. After a certain amount of discussion, some one on this occasion had a vision. This seemed to bring perfect harmony into the church at Jerusalem. “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: and they wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 15:22–26. It is evident from the expression “and they wrote letters,” that it was customary for testimonies from the church of Jerusalem to be sent out. “We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” Verses 27–29. It is evident from this that the Holy Ghost, or Spirit of Prophecy, was regarded as divine authority by the church at Jerusalem. The brethren left with this epistle, and went directly to Antioch. “And when they had gathered the multitude together [or, in other words, called a general meeting], they delivered the epistle [that is, read the testimony]: which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation [that is, the congregation rejoiced that the Lord had sent a message to them]. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.” Verses 30–32. Notice that this letter, or testimony, was taken by Barnabas and Paul, and one of them read it to the43people. Then Judas and Silas, who also were prophets, exhorted the brethren. They sustained the testimony with their own words. In other words, they had a social meeting after they had read the testimony. The influence of the testimony and the exhortation confirmed the church in the right way. They appreciated the testimony, and were strengthened by the united effort of these brethren. “Some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.” Verse 36. But here came a contention. In a time of need, John Mark had left Paul and Barnabas while laboring in a foreign land, and had returned home. Paul did not think it wise to run the risk of taking such a man, while Mark’s uncle, Barnabas, thought that the course pursued by Mark was occasioned by a lack of experience; and so the contention was sharp between them, and “they departed asunder one from the other.” “Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.” They went through Syria and Cilicia, carrying with them the same testimony, and confirming the churches. The contention of Paul and Barnabas did not at all affect the testimony. Like a beaten rock against which the waves dash, the testimony stood the same, and those who received it were confirmed and established in the faith. There may have been some weak brethren who were influenced to reject the testimony because of this contention between the leading brethren who carried the testimony; but those whose record comes down to us were those who were confirmed by the reading of the testimony. Paul and Silas went through Asia Minor, and delivered unto the brethren “the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.” Acts 16:1–5. Here are important lessons for us. History repeats itself. The Testimonies of the Spirit of God come to his people with a divine authority to take them to the churches and read them. Even though there may be differences of opinion among leading brethren, those churches who heed the Testimonies as they are read, not only become established in the faith, but their numbers are increased. Some ministers of the present day prefer to give their own words rather than read a Testimony from the Lord to the people; but Paul, a pre-eminent apostle, and Silas, a prophet of the Lord, did not think it beneath them to take the testimony that was sent out under the direction of the Spirit of the Lord, and read it in all the churches; and the Lord blessed the reading to the salvation of souls. S. N. H.