Acts 21:17-36

In the Spring of 1945 just after the ending of WW II. The Allies gathered up 1200 citizens from Weimar a small village just outside of Buchenvald where some of the most horrific attrocities of the war were committed on thousands and millions of people. The allies forced these villagers to view all of the charred and rotting remains of what had happened in thier back yard while they slept soundly in thier beds at night.

Concession without Compromise

Learning to Surrender your Rights for the Sake of the Gospel.

I. A Welcome Reception (17-20)

Notice here that there is no hint of jealousy, and the reason that there is no hint of jealousy is that they recognize that it is not Paul’s work of the work of the disciples or James the elder in Jerusalem, but the Lord’s work.

Both Paul and elders acknowledge, that the Lord is the one who did the work, and that Paul was merely the instrument. Consistent with the theme of Acts which you no doubt know already, or you should ( the acts of the risen Lord Jesus) both they and Paul give the glory to God and not to Paul. Paul was the instrument and not the primary acting agent.

Acts 9:15 ESV

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Its not about what Pastor James is doing, or about what Pastor Trace is doing, or what you are doing, its about what God is doing through us.

So when we strive who gets the glory? ...

When we suffer who gets the glory? ...

When we see thousands come to Christ who gets the glory? ...

When we preach faithfully and no one comes to Christ, who gets the glory? ...

When we see others succeed and we struggle who get the glory? ...

Is there ever a time where God does not rightly deserve the glory?

So whether its 5,000 or 5,000, or 50, or 5 or none, we give God the glory. Paul and the other Apostles had great success, but let us not forget the many times that are recorded in the book Acts when Paul faced rejection and hardship.

So the James and the elders give God a welcome reception when Paul and his entourage stroll into town. It has been a long time since Paul left Antioch in chapter 13. Some have estimated over 10,000 miles much of it one foot, 10 years of preaching and at least 14 churches planted. Now we are here in Jerusalem at the Spring of 58.

BUT DESPITE THE JOY OF SPRING TIME AND THE EXCITEMENT OF PENTECOST THE CLIMATE WAS RIPE FOR CHAOS AND IT IS NOT LONG BEFORE TROUBLE STARTS BREWING.

II. The Problem Rises (21-22)

In spite of the elders excitement they very quickly recognize that Paul’s presence is bound to cause quite a stir. I believe that we should be careful to make a clear distinction here between the Jews in Jerusalem here that the apostles confirm indeed were believers, that is they the message of the Gospel, and even the report that the Gentiles were not required to observe the tenants of the law as they being Jews did. The issue here is not the same as was in Galatians, at least not to the same degree.

Galatians 4:9 ESV

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

The issue here is not the gospel but freedom. The Judiazers of Galatians were preaching a false gospel which would lead those who had turn to Christ back to the law and slavery. They were teaching that you must receive Christ yes, but you must also be circumcised and observe the feasts, and other tenants of the law.

The issue here in Jerusalem was not whether they should impsose these rites on others including the Gentiles, but whether Paul was advocating that they must abandon the law altogether.

Paul had no qualms at all about whether or not they observe such rights , but that they do not attach such things to their salvation.

Galatians 6:14–15 ESV

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

So the issue here is the freedom of the Jews to observe such rights but that they ought not to demand such things upon others.

SO WHAT IS PAUL TO DO??? IT SEEMS THAT PAUL HAS BECOME A LIABILITY AND HIS VERY PRESENCE HAS PUT THE ENTIRE CHURCH AT RISK. HOW SHALL HE GO ABOUT TO PREACH AND PROMOTE THE GOSPEL TO THESE JEWS WITH OUT LAYING A STUMBLING BLOCK BEFORE THEM?

The answer???? Deny himself his own rights in order to win others.

A truly emancipated spirit like Paul’s is not in bondage to its own emancipation.” Liberty is a great thing, but sometimes the expression of liberty can be counterproductive. Fredrick Fyvie Bruce

I have said to my children many times that things like television and tablets and and ice cream are not rights but privileges. Privileges can be taken away. Rights are things that are due us things that we deem as necessary for flourishing and sustaining life. Certainly these things have changed internet used to be a privilege but has not sort of become a right or a necessity the same with computer and cell phones.

BUT THE BELIEVER LIVES BY A DIFFERENT CODE.

III. The Solution Revealed. (23-26)

He lives not according to the law that is the letter of the law but the spirit, not the law that enslaves but the law of liberty that is the law of Christ. But he does not use his new found liberty as a licence to sin nor a license to lead other in the same. They In fact the believer is called to at times voluntarily surrender his rights for the sake of the gospel.

This passage is the application of Paul's theology that is spelled out in his epistles. 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14 are the two classic passages where Paul deals with the issue of freedom and liberty for the believer.

The issue for Paul is always gospel. I might very well have the freedom in Christ to do something. Now I must preface this we are not talking about antinomianism that is complete freedom to use our freedom as a licence to sin. In other words the law still instructs us in holiness, and how we we ought to live as Christians. So this is in no way is advocating for a lack of moral restraint for the believer.

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Paul is quoting the Sophists of the Corinthians. They were the sages of the day that whose sole job and lively hood was to take ideas whether they were right or wrong, and through the use of rhetoric and persuasive speech convince others enough to part with their money. “All things are lawful for me”

They were among those who thought they could abuse the grace and forgiveness of God by abandoning the law and living however they wanted.

Paul argues against them again in Romans again when he says “ shall we continue to sin that grace may abound”. In other words if God has already forgiven us then why not live it up. This type of thinking is to abuse our freedom and to become enslaved once again to the very same thing that we were set free from.

Now in regards to things that are neutral such as in this case circumcision, the keeping of the ceremonial feasts, Paul lives by the Gospel and chooses to voluntarily.

Let me illustrate it like this, if the government charges me taxes I am obligated to pay, even if they use that money for the poor it is not voluntary, but if I decide to go beyond and give my money to the poor I am not obligated, and give out of freedom.

So it is true for Paul and true for us that Paul he lives i

1 Corinthians 7:18 ESV

Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.

1 Corinthians 9:20 ESV

To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.

This is precisely Paul’s point imagine a person who having found that their chains have been loosed and the doors of their prison have been burst open, but refuses to travel far and props open the door, so that it does not shut them out and they can come back to visit thier chains from time to time. There is actually a term for this, it is called the stock hold Syndrome, where a hostage develops a psychological bond to their captor over time.