Acts 21:15-26 – Opposition in Jerusalem

From Caesarea Paul and his traveling companions left for Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast. Accompanying them were also some believers from Caesarea. They brought Paul and his team to meet a long standing disciple from Cyprus. His name was Mnason. This disciple was probably a hospitable man, so Paul and his team lodged with Mnason. At Jerusalem Paul and his team were gladly received by the brethren. This first meeting was probably merely spent catching up and sharing personal matter.   
 
On the following day, Paul and his team met James in the presence of the elders. At this second meeting, the fund he brought with him for the church in Judea was not discussed. They meeting was turned over to Paul to report on the ministry among the Gentiles entrusted to him by God. One by one Paul recounted to them concerning what the Lord had done through him. When they heard his report they began to glorify God.

 

Meanwhile the legalists were already working behind the scenes. For immediately following the report, the leaders brought up the issue concerning the rumors that was circulating among the Jews who became Christians. The rumors purported that Paul was encouraging Christian Jews to forsake Moses and the Law. It was also purported that he was discouraging Jewish converts from circumcision and the observation of Jewish customs.

 

The leadership at Jerusalem were not worried about the things Paul taught the Gentiles believers, for it was all settled at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. The three requirements for the Gentiles were restated in verse 25. They were: (1) to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols; (2) to abstain from eating food with blood or animals that were strangled; and (3) to abstain from fornication. Their main concern was that Paul’s presence might cause division among the Jews who were still zealous for the Law. For verse 20 tells us there were “…many thousands there among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are still zealous for the Law.”

 

To deal with the rumors, the leaders suggested that Paul publicly demonstrate his reverence for the Jewish Law. They asked him to identify with four man who had taken the Nazarite vow, pay for their sacrifices and to be with them in the temple for purification. A Nazarite vow involves the shaving off of the hair and abstinence from wine for 30 days. At the end of that duration a sacrifice and other gifts were offered in the temple. By then hair would have grown. It would once again be shaved off and burned at the altar.

 

Paul consented because it was only a matter of personal conviction on the part of the Jews. They had the freedom to accept or reject the custom. It had got nothing to do with the Gospel of grace or else he would never have consented. So Paul reported to the priest the next day and partook of the purification ceremony although he didn’t take the vow. Together with the four men, they waited seven days then offered their sacrifices. But their plan did not work. Paul was arrested ultimately.

 

What Paul did was not to save his own skin. He did it for the unity of the church. It is okay for us to make some adjustment to our practice to maintain the unity and peace. We don’t have to be dogmatic on the non-essentials of life. But we mustn’t compromise on our faith in Christ and our commitment to Him.