Acts 21:20-26 – When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” 26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.
“They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.” The converts at Jerusalem did well to honor the Old Testament scriptures. It was good to know them, to know the feasts, the holy days, and the wisdom of them. However The Law was good to lead us to Jesus, but it could not save the soul of anyone. Only Jesus can save souls. Unfortunately these born again Jews who were zealous for The Law seemed light in love and grace. Why didn’t they refuse to believe, in spite of any testimony contrariwise, that Paul was not teaching, in general, to turn from The Law, but to turn from thinking of The Law as providing salvation? It would be wise to not be convinced of Paul’s supposed error before they could confirm it (Proverbs 18:17). It seems that love was lacking here, after all, love always trusts (1 Corinthians 13:7). Also, from the same verse, we know that love always protects, why didn’t they protect the Apostle Paul? Though Paul was not one of the original twelve he was no less an Apostle. Which raises the question, since the leaders at Jerusalem obviously knew that the converts were angry at Paul, why didn’t they stand up for Paul and dissuade the anger of the converts? In reality, Paul had said words that a meaning other than how they were being portrayed in Jerusalem. It is reminiscent of how Jesus was accused (Mark 14:48, John 2:19). Now the leaders at Jerusalem were concerned for Paul, not from non-believers, but from the believers! How is that possible? Yet, in our days, are we so free from animosity among believers. It is a shame that a well know pastor, or pastors, would publicly dispute and condemn other pastors who believe differently from them about non-essentials, and drag the name of Jesus through the mud for the world to see. In fact, for the purpose of having the world see. What a disgrace! Have such pastors who condemn forgotten that we shall be known by our love and unity? (John 13:34-35, Ephesians 4:3, 13) Here, it is shameful that the shepherds are worried what their sheep may do.
“So do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.” So the leaders from Jerusalem have Paul support four men in their purification rites. Why, didn’t the leaders have enough influence, enough standing with the believers there to come against this hostile (?) stand against Paul? Why must Paul do that to be accepted? The Jerusalem leaders wanted the Paul to make a show for living in obedience to The Law. Is that what they were doing? It is a shame for any pastor to yield to support of ignorant congregants and even more a shame to ask a visiting to also submit to this charade. Why not just teach the immature the better way!
Paul was being asked to financially support these four men since the cost of this rite, with all the sacrifices, was costly. Paul was to use the money he brought from the Gentile churches to pay for it. We must realize that Paul did not compromise himself. He was not supporting believing in The Law for salvation but was supporting the traditions and the culture from which they all came. It did give him a commonality with those believers.
“As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” They are asking Paul to appease the converts in Jerusalem and they are letting them him know that they have continued to only ask of the Gentile believers what had previously been agreed upon (Acts 15:20, 29).
“The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.” Paul did as he was asked to do. It was to keep the peace without compromising himself. Surely Paul was blessed to do so as he helped these young men do what he himself had also done as he grew up. However, as we shall see, non-believing Jews were not satisfied and soon would be looking to spill Paul’s blood.
Those who are weak in the Word must accept the Word for what it states. It should not be asked that leaders bend to the world, but that the world adapt itself to the truth. It begins in the community in the humble hearts and minds of the individuals. May we be quick to receive the Word and the Truth and to reject the error that world continually and constantly brings. Let us stand strong in the Word and in doing so bring praise to God (Ephesians 6:10). Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”