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in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God,

15 So now the ministers of the Gos

pel, as individual men, arrogate to themselves no divine freedom from the common infirmities of human nature. Yet they claim to be heard for their Master's sake; and, therefore, speak with authority.

which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that

are therein: 16 who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. "Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. 19 And there came 19 Wickedness and cruelty are inthither certain Jews from separable. Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and the faith, and that we must into the kingdom of God.

16"The Gentiles are a law unto themselves." (Rom. ii. 14.)

17 St. Paul argues from the evident truth that God is a God of nature; to the revealed truth, that He is the God of grace. (See chap. xvii. 28.)

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22 Thus are we warned by our blessed Saviour. (John xvi. 33.) exhorting them to continue in through much tribulation enter And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia : and thence sailed

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to Antioch, from whence they

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had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that

25 No man must presume to take upon himself the office of the ministry, without being outwardly called, as well as inwardly moved thereto. 26 They fulfilled their work, and

preached unto the people.

27 They opened the door of faith, by giving enlarged opportunity of knowing the Gospel. What noble examples do the apostles afford in themselves, of uncompromising principle, unwearied exertion, and unsubdued faith! God grant us all

God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples.

grace, minister and people; "that every member of the Church, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve Him; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

CHAPTER XV.

APRIL 18, AUGUST 17, Dec. 15.

ST. BARNABAS, evening, to ver. 36.

The important question discussed in this chapter, was whether faith in Christ would justify without the works of the Mosaic law. Certain of the Pharisees insisted upon circumcision as necessary: urging it upon the Gentile converts to the scandal of the cross, and the division of the Church.

AND certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dis

:

2 This vital question was wisely referred to the authority of the Church in council.

sension 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. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice 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 of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of 7 "A good while ago"-that is, this matter.' And when when we first preached the Gospel. there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the

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8 God now saveth both Jew and Gentile by grace ‡.

* This was St. Paul's third journey to Jerusalem, after his conversion, + This was the first council held at Jerusalem.

The reasoning of Peter is clear and forcible. "As now there is no difference in God's sight between Jew and Gentile, and as He accepts the

hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we

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11 If faith save the Gentiles-faith saveth the Jews.

14 Simon Peter is sometimes called Simeon.

grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first 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, 16 The Church of God was spiri16 After this I will return, tually rebuilt by the Messiah-our and will build again the taruined nature was renovated by Him. bernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God*: 20 but that we write unto 20 These were the attendant vices them, that they abstain from upon idolatry.

pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 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 Gentiles by grace without the law, surely He will so also accept us, the Jews. It is tempting God, if again we bind ourselves by circumcision, and under the penalty of the former curse, to pledge ourselves to every jot and tittle of the law-when Jesus Christ hath fulfilled it for us, and substituted faith in Him; giving us an easy yoke in exchange for that of Moses, which was too heavy to bear."

Thus St. James, not St. Peter, is the authoritative voice which decided the measures of the first Christian council.

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, le 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. 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. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being 32 Prophets or inspired teachers

prophets also themselves, ex- of the word.

horted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

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And after they had tarried

there a space, they were let

go in peace from the brethren

33 They departed, bearing with them the love and blessings of the breth

ren.

unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Ver. 36. And 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. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

38 St. Mark had left them in Pam

phylia. (Acts xiii. 13.) St. Paul,
displeased at what he considered a
want of zeal, rejected his further
companionship.

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39 The faithful historian conceals not the account of this contention; though it presents a painful picture of human infirmity.

And

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CHAPTER XVI.

APRIL 19, AUGUST 18, DEC. 16.

THEN came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so $ the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when

were

Thus early the Church preserved in written documents its decreesthe frame-work of its constitution; that each part might be established and rest upon the same doctrines.

5 Its decrees-ordinances and articles of faith-could thus be easily referred to in all cases of doubt; whereby much vain discussion and confusion would from time to time be avoided.

they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they

7 In those early days of special trial, the Church was favoured with proportionate aid and guidance by the Holy Spirit.

passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering

10 St. Luke set out from Troas as the companion of St. Paul: therefore he says "we." This fact assures us of the historian's accuracy: he

that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; and from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

recorded events which he witnessed.

13 How often are we instructed by this uniform observance of the Sabbath among the early Christians !

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