Good Friday May first as we study God’s word to grow in our faith in God.
Separating for peace-
The apostle Paul listens to the elders, and has to make a decision, although Paul does not practice the specific vows, he wants desperately to reach the Jews here in Jerusalem and knows that what he is being asked would be an olive branch to keeping the peace. What is Paul being asked to do? James wants Paul to sponsor four men who wish to take the Nazarite vow, which means that one would separate from others and be consecrated to God. This would mean the person would separate in three areas, not to drink wine or strong drink, not to cut their hair in this period, and not to touch or be in contact with the dead. Purpose to separate, to spend time alone with God and purify their hearts mind souls and spirits. Let’s read together from Acts 21:26-29 “Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)” Luke writes Paul took the vow with these four men; understand Paul knew he was already righteous by the work completed on the cross but because the elders had asked and he wanted to be able to be received in Jerusalem Paul along with these four men vowed himself. What was Paul actually doing? Paul was being flexible, 1Corinthians 9:20 “and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law.” Paul was keeping the peace, Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Paul was not compromising at all; he was doing the will of God in order to open discussions in the gospel. So this purification period would take one full week to complete and Paul was all in. As this is taking place Luke says Jews from Asia began to speak lies against Paul stirring up others against Paul. We know these evil religionist well, Acts 14:19 “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.” A group that followed Paul from city to city causing problems instigating lies against him are here in Jerusalem and doing their business again. Look what they accuse Paul of doing while he is with the four men, of course they challenge his teachings but add, “He also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” Gentiles were not allowed in the temple only in the outer courtyard. These men said Paul let gentiles into the temple, causing a disturbance as they grab Paul to harm him. Look again at the words, “they supposed” not witnessed, supposed more lies more fake news. What do you listen to? Remnant
