International S. S. Lessons

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 12, 1892

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON XIII.—DECEMBER 25, 1892.

THE QUESTION SETTLED.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture—Acts 15: 12-31.

And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying,
Brethren, hearken unto me: Symeon hath rehearsed how first God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
After these things I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.
That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from the beginning of the world.
Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles turn to God;
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren;
And they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elder brethren unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting;
Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
It seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of 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 things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.
So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.
And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.

MEMORY VERSE, 11.

Golden Text.—Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thess. 5:21.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

Tell what led to the conference in Jerusalem. See Acts 15: 1-3.
What was the importance of the question? Ans.—The erroneous teaching was subverting the souls of the believers, and perverting the gospel of Christ. See Acts 15: 24; Gal. 1:7.
Give Peter's argument in the case.

And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in like manner as they. Acts 15: 7-11.

When Peter had finished, what did Barnabas and Paul tell? Verse 12.
Who spoke next? Verse 13.
To what did he refer? Verse 14.
To whom did he refer as authority for their preaching to the Gentiles? Verse 15.
What prophecy did he specify? Verses 16, 17; Amos 9: 11, 12.
How long had God had it upon his mind to save the Gentiles? Verse 14. Note 1.
What, therefore, was James' decision in the case? Verse 19.

What did he suggest that they should write to the Gentile converts? Verse 20. Note 2.
Why was it not necessary to specify more particularly the things that pertain to the Christian life? Verse 21. Note 3.
Why was it necessary to specify even these? Note 3.
Were these things of minor importance? Verses 28, 29.
Are these things to be observed in these days as well as then? Note 2.
What steps did the brethren take to relieve the minds of the new converts who had been troubled? Verses 22, 23.
What commendation was given to Barnabas and Paul? Verses 25, 26.
What did the apostles agree was evidently the work of Barnabas and Paul?

But contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the circumcision (for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles); and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision. Gal. 2: 7-9.

19. How was the result of the conference received by the brethren at Antioch? Verses 30, 31.