Finally the little group, at Paul’s insistence, arrived in Jerusalem. Then James (the Lord’s half-brother we think, Mark 6:3) “took over.” Here’s Luke again, directly quoting James and his crowd: “Thou seest, brother Paul, 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. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.”
This is an almost: “I wish you had not come. There’s surely going to be trouble.”
James persuaded Paul to take a (Jewish) vow! To “shave his head,” as well! To “act” in a way that was incompatible to all Paul had preached as the Apostle to the Gentiles! (The very man who write: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the LAW, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21)
Then they (the Jews, with James here being their ring leader) wanted Paul to go into the Temple!
All of which Paul did! (The Apostle of the Gentiles putting himself back under Moses, back under the Old Testament law!) Paul again: “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the LAW, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:2
Now, here’s Paul in the Jewish Temple (a Temple already condemned by Jesus, and which will be destroyed within 40 years) … “The Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the TEMPLE, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, crying out, Men of Israel, HELP. This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought GREEKS also into the temple, and hath polluted this HOLY PLACE. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom THEY SUPPOSED that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. AND AS THEY WENT ABOUT TO KILL HIM …” Acts 21:27-31, Paul only being rescued by a band of Roman soldiers!
And, as far as the Book of Acts is concerned, Paul’s ministry of freely traveling and preaching the Word of God, of going from Church to Church (or establishing new Churches) is over!
Acts chapter 28 (read it) ends with Paul still incarcerated in Rome, a prisoner of that heathen Empire …! And this only after many a legal trial and a long, nearly deadly, ship voyage. (Acts chapters 22-28, all the rest of the Book!)
You can decide for yourself … but for my part … I wish the Apostle had heeded those multiple warning the Lord sent him … warnings NOT TO GO to Jerusalem!
Had he done so … had he continued to emphasize his ministry to the gentiles … we might have a full record somewhere of his (anticipated) trip to Spain (Romans 15:24)! Of his longing to preach Christ in the “regions beyond!” (See 2 Corinthians 10:16, Paul’s words.) Of no telling what exploits for Christ!
The “point” today?
Adam ate!
Abraham lied!
David committed adultery!
Peter denied!
And Paul disobeyed!
We’re all human!
I close this morning thanking the Lord for a single verse of Scripture … “If we (Christians) confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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