Minneapolis Spokesman

Lesson for September 22

JAMES (A GREAT CHRISTIAN LEADER)

LESSON TEXT—Acts 15:1-21; James 1:1-17.

GOLDEN TEXT—Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.—James 1:12.

PRIMARY TOPIC—What James Tells Us to Do,
JUNIOR TOPIC—James' Motto for Juniors.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC—How to Meet Life's Tests.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC—The Message of James for Today.

Three individuals by the name of James are mentioned in the New Testament. In all probability this James was the brother of the Lord and the writer of the Epistle which bears his name.

I. James Presiding at a Church Council (Acts 15:1-21).

1. The controversy in the church at Antioch (vv. 1-5). A most difficult problem confronted the church, threatening its disruption into a Jewish and Gentile division. It was not a question of the admission of the Gentiles into the church. That had been settled some years before when Peter received Cornelius and his household. The question now was, on what ground could they be received? Should Gentile believers be required to keep the Mosaic law as a condition of salvation? In order to settle this matter, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem for the decision of the mother church.

II. The Deliberation of the Council (vv. 6-21).

1. Peter speaks (vv. 6-11). He argued that God had borne witness to the acceptance of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them as unto the Jews. Since God had not put a difference, it would be folly for them to do so.

2. Paul and Barnabas rehearsed their experience (v. 12). They told how that God had set his seal of approval on the preaching of salvation by grace through faith.

3. The argument of James (vv. 14-21). He took the fact declared by Peter and showed how it harmonized with prophecy (Amos 9:11-15). He showed that the reception of the Gentiles was not in conflict, but in harmony with God's plan. He made clear God's plan as follows:

a. To take out from among the Gentiles a people for his name (v. 14). This is what is now being done by the calling out of the church.

b. After the church is completed, Israel will be converted and restored to their land by the Lord himself at his return (vv. 16, 17).

c. This will be followed by the conversion of the world through the agency of converted Israel (v. 17; cf. Rom. 11:15). Having shown that there was no conflict with the Scriptures rightly divided, he gave his judgment that the Gentiles should not be troubled with the things that are Jewish, but should be warned against the perils of heathenism, such as meat offered to idols, fornication, and blood.

4. The decision (vv. 22-29). The mother church unanimously endorsed James' recommendation. They sent a letter stating the decision of the conference. This decision was duly delivered to the church at Antioch and was received with rejoicing.

III. James Giving Counsel to Christians (James 1:1-17).

1. Concerning trials (vv. 2-17).

a. The Christian's attitude toward them (vv. 2-4). They were to meet them joyfully because of their beneficial effects. Trials reveal fidelity, and by their efforts develop the grace of patience.

b. The Christian's supreme need in these trials (vv. 5-8). It is wisdom to meet them intelligently. He makes clear that the source of this wisdom is in God and that the means of gaining it is asking in faith, and the very liberality of God is the guarantee that the needed supply will be provided.

c. The rich and the poor are sharers alike in affliction (vv. 9-11). Frequently the poor man thinks that the rich are free from testings, whereas they are usually more severely tested.

d. The blessed reward of enduring the testing (v. 12). The one who faithfully endures the temptation shall be awarded a crown of life.

e. The source of temptation (vv. 13-17). Temptations spring out of human desire. They do not come from God. Sin is not necessarily the desire, but the gratifying of it improperly. When one is thus led away by his natural desires, sin is conceived which brings forth death. In such case, sin is the gratification of a right desire in a wrong way.

Life is not so complex if we do not persist in making it so. We need faith; we need to be brave, to keep the corners of the mouth turned up and not down. And after all it is only a step at a time.—Ralph Waldo Trine.