Ignited: Acts Week 32

Recap: Paul making his way to Jerusalem

(Took a week off for Come to the Lord’s Table group session last week.)

Last time spoke about two big themes of chapter 21: the cost of discipleship and the value of Christian friendship. Paul had been told trials awaited him at Jerusalem, but still he went on. Most of that was zeal for the Lord, but part of that (in my opinion) is the support of Christian friends.

Agabus, a prophet, had given a prophecy with an object lesson using Paul’s girdle that Paul would be bound at Jerusalem and delivered over to the Gentiles. Several friends, apparently including Luke tried to convince him not to go. But when he wouldn’t deter from going, they relented and said “The Lord’s will be done.”

We pick up at 21:17 where Paul finally arrives at Jerusalem.

Paul is received at Jerusalem:

Received gladly by brethren at Jerusalem. Apparently the first reception was a time of fellowship and catching up, a time of personal matters. 21:18 says the next day there was a second meeting with James and the elders, and this was more for a ministry report.

Remember: Paul had come with a collection from Gentiles churches for the Jews at Jerusalem.

Nothing is mentioned about how they reacted to the gift. The conversation includes praise for what God has been doing as multitudes of Jews had been saved. But it continues with concern about Paul’s reputation among the Jews at large. Paul had been smeared by others who claimed that he was teaching Jewish converts not to participate in Jewish customs.

“For something that doesn’t have a leg to stand on, a rumor sure does travel fast.”

This wasn’t true. Paul had never taught such things. We see it runs counter to several things that Paul had done: 1) Paul had Timothy circumcised, not for salvation’s sake but for unity’s sake; 2) Paul was trying his best to make it to Jerusalem because he wanted to observe the feast of Pentecost taking place at that time; 3) Paul had previously taken a Nazarite vow himself.

His love for the Jews is powerfully demonstrated when he later wrote in Romans 9 that he would take Jewish brothers and sisters place if he could give them salvation.

Basically, Paul was not against any of the Jewish feasts, customs, or traditions or their participation in them so long as they didn’t view it as a prerequisite for salvation. Ephesians 2:8 sums up his perspective on that: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Gentiles: free to abstain; Jews free to observe. Both so long as it didn’t cause division.

Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) it was concluded that to require Gentile converts to be circumcised or carry out all other traditions was an unnecessary burden. But also concluded that Gentiles should avoid eating meat offered to idols and to avoid fornication, so as not to offend Jewish brothers and cause disunity.

Interesting to note: these charges seem to echo those brought against Stephen and Jesus, too.

Proposed solution:

James suggests Paul participate in and sponsor a group of four Jewish men who were taking a vow. Paul was to pay for the things required for them in the sacrifice associated with the vow. Paul agrees to do it, as long as it doesn’t compromise the gospel.

Some argue that Paul compromised here, but I personally believe it’s an example of “I became all things to all men.” Read 1 Corinthians 9:20–22

Instead of bringing peace, it brought an uproar:

A bad response:

There’s a feast going on, so large crowds were in town. A protest ensues. Some Jews from Asia saw Paul going into the temple with others. They had previously seen Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus with Paul and assumed that he was taken into the temple, too. (This was unfounded speculation).

This would have been a life-threatening offense. The Court of Jews and Court of Gentiles were divided by a wall. On that wall was a notice that any Gentile who crossed into the other court did so taking his own life into his hands. The Romans allowed the Jews to enforce this by punishment by death, even to include Romans.

The riot got the attention of soldiers stationed nearby, and officials come to squash the riot. A Roman leader tried to get to the bottom of what was going on, but because of the tumult and the flying accusations, he couldn’t get the story straight. He has Paul escorted up the stairs to their barracks, at which point Paul asks to speak.

The leader was surprised Paul could speak Greek. Allowed him to address the crowd.

Paul’s First Defense:

Paul explains his Jewish roots and resume. He highlights his Jewish heritage and passion for Jewish law, Jewish customs, and the temple. Then he explains his conversion experience. All of this was okay up to this point. But when he explains that Jesus came to him vision in the temple telling him to witness to the Gentiles, the crowd came apart again and called for him to be done away with.

As he’s escorted out again, this time to be questioned by scourging, it comes out that Paul is a Roman citizen. This throws a wrench in the Roman captain’s plans because Paul has legal rights. Ultimately, this will result in Paul being taken unto Rome and it will be on Rome’s dime.

Reflections:

In times of conflict, we should:

1.) Remain calm; 2.) Respond with courage; 3.) Remember our call is to share the good news, no matter the cost.