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 XI.—DECEMBER 11, 1892.
[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 in this is the Revised Version, and it is especially preferred, not because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
- And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
- They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phœnicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
- And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.
- But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.
- And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.
- 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.
Golden Text.—"We believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they." Acts 15:11. - To what place did Paul and Barnabas return to labor after their missionary trip?—To Antioch, see Acts 14:25-28.
- While they were there, what was taught the disciples by men who came from Judea? Verse 1. Note 1.
- What standing had these men in the church?
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 our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 15:25, 26.
4. How did the apostle Paul characterize them?
And that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. Gal. 2:4.- How was their work received by Paul and Barnabas? Verse 2, first part.
- Why did Paul and Barnabas thus oppose them?
To whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Gal. 2:5.
7. Then of what must the teachings of these men have been subversive?
Which is not another gospel; only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Gal. 1:7. 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. Acts 15:24. Note 2.
8. What would their teaching do for the disciples? Verse 10.
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. Acts 15:24.- What was finally determined to be done in the matter? Verse 2.
- Was it the decision of the church alone that caused Paul to go up?
Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain. Gal. 2:1, 2.- What is said of their journey to Jerusalem? Verse 3.
- What did they do when they got to Jerusalem? Verse 4.
And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain. Gal. 2:2.
13. Did Paul have to learn anything of the apostles and elders assembled at Jerusalem?
But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me; God accepteth not man's person)—they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me; but contrariwise. Gal. 2:6. For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. Gal. 1:11, 12.- When there had been much disputing in the council, to what did Peter call their attention? Verses 6, 7.
- What had God done for the Gentiles when the gospel was first preached to them by Peter? Verse 8.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Acts 10:44.
16. What was it concerning which God made no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles? Verse 9.
Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe. Rom. 3:22. Note 3.
17. Why does God make no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles in the matter of purifying the heart? Verse 8, first part.
Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:22, 23.- What did Peter say would be put upon the disciples, if the teaching of the false brethren was adopted? Verse 10.
- How only are all men to be saved? Verse 11.
Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Rom. 3:22-24.1. And certain men.—It is quite necessary to note the character of the men who made the trouble at Antioch and elsewhere. The apostles and elders at Jerusalem said of them that "certain which went out from us have troubled you with words; subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment." Verse 24, Revised Version. It will be noticed that in the Old Version "such" is a supplied word. Thus these men were irresponsible persons who did not represent the church. The apostles were not in sympathy with them. Their work was to subvert souls. This they did by preaching a perverted gospel (Gal. 1:7), for they were doing the same work that was afterwards done by the men who tried to overthrow Paul's work in Galatia. They professed to represent the church of Christ, but only that they might the more readily gain access to the disciples, to subvert them. They were "false brethren," from whose malice Paul was often in peril. See 2 Cor. 11:26. 2. Pervert the gospel—subverting your souls.—It should be specially borne in mind that the subject of the controversy was the gospel. That was what made the question a vital one. It was concerning how men must be saved. Paul and Barnabas preached salvation by faith; these men taught salvation by man's work. If men must be circumcised in order to be saved, then faith in Christ would be proved to be insufficient. But faith in Christ is sufficient; that comprehends all; therefore something additional for justification was a perversion of the gospel, and also a subverting of the souls of those led away by the delusion. As Paul afterward wrote, "If righteousness came by the law, then is Christ dead in vain." Gal. 2:21. Moreover, the fact that the gospel was the subject of dispute is shown by Paul's statement that he resisted those men in order that the truth of the gospel might remain with his converts. Gal. 2:5. These false brethren professed to have the gospel, because they set forth what they claimed was the way of salvation; but there was no truth in their gospel. The truth of the gospel is that "through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved," and that "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." See also Rom. 10:6-10; Titus 3:2-6. 3. Cleansing their hearts by faith.—Peter declared that in the matter of the cleansing of the heart God made no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. This is proof of the statement that the subject under discussion was the vital one of salvation. The fact that God "put no difference between us and them" was shown in his giving to uncircumcised Gentiles the gift of the Holy Ghost, even as he did to the apostles and brethren on Pentecost. And the reason why God thus put no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles, in the matter of justification, was that "he knoweth the hearts." There is no difference between the heart of the Jew and the heart of the Gentile, because all alike have sinned. Rom. 3:9, 22, 23. Men, judging by the outward appearances, often make a difference between men, but God, who looks upon the heart, knows that all are alike; therefore he puts no difference between men in the matter of cleansing the heart.