the acts of the apostles-第76章
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their opinions。
Several years had passed since the brethren in Jerusalem； with
representatives from other leading churches； gave careful consideration to
the perplexing questions that had arisen over methods followed by those who
were laboring for the Gentiles。 As a result of this council； the brethren
had united in making definite recommendations to the churches
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concerning certain rites and customs； including circumcision。 It was at this
general council that the brethren had also united in commending to the
Christian churches Barnabas and Paul as laborers worthy of the full
confidence of every believer。
Among those present at this meeting； were some who had severely criticized
the methods of labor followed by the apostles upon whom rested the chief
burden of carrying the gospel to the Gentile world。 But during the council
their views of God's purpose had broadened； and they had united with their
brethren in making wise decisions which made possible the unification of the
entire body of believers。
Afterward； when it became apparent that the converts among the Gentiles were
increasing rapidly； there were a few of the leading brethren at Jerusalem
who began to cherish anew their former prejudices against the methods of
Paul and his associates。 These prejudices strengthened with the passing of
the years； until some of the leaders determined that the work of preaching
the gospel must henceforth be conducted in accordance with their own ideas。
If Paul would conform his methods to certain policies which they advocated
they would acknowledge and sustain his work； otherwise they could no longer
look upon it with favor or grant it their support。
These men had lost sight of the fact that God is the teacher of His people；
that every worker in His cause is to obtain an individual experience in
following the divine Leader； not looking to man for direct guidance； that
His workers are to be molded and fashioned； not after man's ideas； but after
the similitude of the divine。
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In his ministry the apostle Paul had taught the people 〃not with enticing
words of man's wisdom； but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power。〃 The
truths that he proclaimed had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit； 〃for
the Spirit searcheth all things； yea； the deep things of God。 For what man
knoweth the things of a man； save the spirit of man which is in him？ even so
the things of God knoweth no man； but the Spirit of God。 。 。 。 Which
things；〃 declared Paul； 〃we speak； not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth； but which the Holy Ghost teacheth； comparing spiritual things with
spiritual。〃 1 Corinthians 2：4； 10…13。
Throughout his ministry； Paul had looked to God for direct guidance。 At the
same time； he had been very careful to labor in harmony with the decisions
of the general council at Jerusalem； and as a result the churches were
〃established in the faith； and increased in number daily。〃 Acts 16：5。 And
now； notwithstanding the lack of sympathy shown him by some； he found
comfort in the consciousness that he had done his duty in encouraging in his
converts a spirit of loyalty； generosity； and brotherly love； as revealed on
this occasion in the liberal contributions which he was enabled to place
before the Jewish elders。
After the presentation of the gifts； Paul 〃declared particularly what things
God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry。〃 This recital of facts
brought to the hearts of all； even of those who had been doubting； the
conviction that the blessing of heaven had accompanied his labors。 〃When
they heard it； they glorified the Lord。〃 They felt
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that the methods of labor pursued by the apostle bore the signet of Heaven。
The liberal contributions lying before them added weight to the testimony of
the apostle concerning the faithfulness of the new churches established
among the Gentiles。 The men who； while numbered among those who were in
charge of the work at Jerusalem； had urged that arbitrary measures of
control be adopted； saw Paul's ministry in a new light and were convinced
that their own course had been wrong； that they had been held in bondage by
Jewish customs and traditions； and that the work of the gospel had been
greatly hindered by their failure to recognize that the wall of partition
between Jew and Gentile had been broken down by the death of Christ。
This was the golden opportunity for all the leading brethren to confess
frankly that God had wrought through Paul； and that at times they had erred
in permitting the reports of his enemies to arouse their jealousy and
prejudice。 But instead of uniting in an effort to do justice to the one who
had been injured； they gave him counsel which showed that they still
cherished a feeling that Paul should be held largely responsible for the
existing prejudice。 They did not stand nobly in his defense； endeavoring to
show the disaffected ones where they were wrong； but sought to effect a
compromise by counseling him to pursue a course which in their opinion would
remove all cause for misapprehension。
〃Thou seest； brother；〃 they said； in response to his testimony； 〃how many
thousands of Jews there are which believe； and they are all zealous of the
law： and they are
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informed of thee； that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the
Gentiles to forsake Moses； saying that they ought not to circumcise their
children； neither to walk after the customs。 What is it therefore？ the
multitude must needs come together： for they will hear that thou art come。
Do therefore this that we say to thee： We have four men which have a vow on
them； them take； and purify thyself with them； and be at charges with them；
that they may shave their heads： and all may know that those things； whereof
they were informed concerning thee； are nothing； but that thou thyself also
walkest orderly； and keepest the law。 As touching the Gentiles which
believe； we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing； save
only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols； and from blood；
and from strangled； and from fornication。〃
The brethren hoped that Paul； by following the course suggested； might give
a decisive contradiction to the false reports concerning him。 They assured
him that the decision of the former council concerning the Gentile converts
and the ceremonial law； still held good。 But the advice now given was not
consistent with that decision。 The Spirit of God did not prompt this
instruction； it was the fruit of cowardice。 The leaders of the church in
Jerusalem knew that by non…conformity to the ceremonial law； Christians
would bring upon themselves the hatred of the Jews and expose themselves to
persecution。 The Sanhedrin was doing its utmost to hinder the progress of
the gospel。 Men were chosen by this body to follow up the apostles；
especially Paul； and in
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every possible way to oppose their work。 Should the believers in Christ be
condemned before the Sanhedrin as breakers of the law； they would suffer
swift and severe punishment as apostates from the Jewish faith。
Many of the Jews who had accepted the gospel still cherished a regard for
the ceremonial law and were only too willing to make unwise concessions；
hoping thus to gain the confidence of their countrymen； to remove their
prejudice； and to win them to faith in Christ as the world's Redeemer。 Paul
realized that so long as many of the leading members of the church at
Jerusalem should continue to cherish prejudice against him； they would work
constantly to counteract his influence。 He felt that if by any reasonable
concession he could win them to the truth he would remove a great obstacle
to the success of the gospel in other places。 But he was not authorized of
God to concede as much as they asked。
When we think of Paul's great desire to be in harmony with his brethren； his
tenderness toward the weak in the faith； his reverence for the apostles who
had been with Christ；
