Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Acts - Week 11 / Tuesday
Reading for today: Acts 21:15-26
There is an interesting dynamic of challenges and victories that we see occurring in Paul's life. As they travel, they need a place to stay. But since they have some Gentile Christians in their traveling party, finding a home to stay in would be a challenge. Not every member of the intensely Jewish/Christian church of Jerusalem would be prepared to have a party of Gentile Christians in his home. Fortunately, Mnason proved to be the right host.
When Paul and his companions went to see James and the other elders of the Jerusalem church, they discovered another challenge. False teachers had come among this church and deliberately taught that Paul was teaching all Jews who lived among the Gentiles not to circumcise their children. They also said that Paul taught them to stop conducting their lives according to their Jewish customs.
Of course, the accusations were untrue. Paul had circumcised his young companion, Timothy, and he had recently taken a vow himself. But the elders knew that these accusations had been told and retold, and needed to be put to rest.
The elders had a suggestion. Four of the Jewish believers had taken a vow upon themselves. At the close of the period of time they had chosen, they would offer rather expensive sacrifices. Then they would shave their heads as a sign that the vow was completed.
Paul did not have to take the vow himself. But he was asked to go through ceremonies of purifying himself along with them and pay for the sacrifices so they could complete the vow. This would show all in Jerusalem that Paul did not teach Jewish believers to go against the customs of their fathers.
So, Paul did exactly that. As Paul told the Corinthian believers, to the Jews he became as a Jew, and to those under the Law he became as under the Law. (1 Cor. 9:20) Paul was willing to do whatever it would take to reach people with the "good news," as long as it was not compromising to the gospel.
Tomorrow: The elders plan doesn't work like they hoped it would!
There is an interesting dynamic of challenges and victories that we see occurring in Paul's life. As they travel, they need a place to stay. But since they have some Gentile Christians in their traveling party, finding a home to stay in would be a challenge. Not every member of the intensely Jewish/Christian church of Jerusalem would be prepared to have a party of Gentile Christians in his home. Fortunately, Mnason proved to be the right host.
When Paul and his companions went to see James and the other elders of the Jerusalem church, they discovered another challenge. False teachers had come among this church and deliberately taught that Paul was teaching all Jews who lived among the Gentiles not to circumcise their children. They also said that Paul taught them to stop conducting their lives according to their Jewish customs.
Of course, the accusations were untrue. Paul had circumcised his young companion, Timothy, and he had recently taken a vow himself. But the elders knew that these accusations had been told and retold, and needed to be put to rest.
The elders had a suggestion. Four of the Jewish believers had taken a vow upon themselves. At the close of the period of time they had chosen, they would offer rather expensive sacrifices. Then they would shave their heads as a sign that the vow was completed.
Paul did not have to take the vow himself. But he was asked to go through ceremonies of purifying himself along with them and pay for the sacrifices so they could complete the vow. This would show all in Jerusalem that Paul did not teach Jewish believers to go against the customs of their fathers.
So, Paul did exactly that. As Paul told the Corinthian believers, to the Jews he became as a Jew, and to those under the Law he became as under the Law. (1 Cor. 9:20) Paul was willing to do whatever it would take to reach people with the "good news," as long as it was not compromising to the gospel.
Tomorrow: The elders plan doesn't work like they hoped it would!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)