An Attempt To Prevent Conflict

Acts 21:15-25

After a period spent with Philip and the church at Caesarea, Paul’s company took their luggage and headed for Jerusalem, accompanied by several Christians from Caesarea.

“And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.” (Acts 21:15-17)

While the other apostle made frequent trips to outlying churches, James seems to have devoted most of his ministry to Jerusalem itself. As a result, after many years, he was the most deferred to of the leaders in Jerusalem, although as Paul stressed, no more important than any of the others.

“And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.” (Acts 21:18-19)

Welcomed by the church, Paul reported what God had done by his ministry. Once again we are impressed by the attitude, of focusing on what God has done, rather than on what we’ve done, just as they’d done in Acts 14 and 15. Matthew 6:2 speaks of the hypocrites who do their works so they can have the glory. II Corinthians 10:17-18 commands, “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”

The Holy Spirit always glorifies the Lord according to John 16:14 states. “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” As Paul stated in Galatians 6:14, Spirit filled Christians will not be glorifying themselves. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” The result was that the church glorified God, rather than Paul.

“And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.” (Acts 21:20-21)

People tend to accept the things they have grown up with as normal and mistrust any thing different. After twenty five or thirty years of Christianity, thousands of the Jews had accepted Christ, but despite the best efforts of the apostles, they were still biased toward Judaic practices. Non believing Jews had made false accusations that Paul was teaching that it was wrong to follow Jewish tradition and caused suspicion that could easily cause trouble.

“What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.” (Acts 21:22-24)

To try to defuse the situation, the elders recommended that Paul go through some of the Jewish ceremonies to demonstrate that he was not trying to destroy Jewish culture. They had no intention of implying that non Jewish should follow those standards.

“As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.” (Acts 21:25)

Paul had faced a similar situation in Antioch, when Christians from Jerusalem came practicing Jewish standards and customs. Even Barnabas and the other Jews in the church had begun to follow those standards, causing a conflict with the Gentiles. Paul describes the situation in Galatians 2. He saw the wisdom of their suggestion and followed them.

“Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.” (Acts 21:26)

Paul was just following the advice in Romans 12:18, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” When God has not given a specific command, we may need to give up our own standards, even if we believe them valid. I Corinthians 11:16 describes such a case. “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” Spirit filled Christians will not deliberately offend other Christians by imposing their own personal standards.