The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 99 Do Not Let Christian Liberty Become A Stumbling block.

The brethren at Jerusalem were glad to see Paul.

Acts 21:17  And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

After a long period of time, Paul finally arrived in Jerusalem. He had not been there since the Jerusalem conference held many years earlier (Acts 15).

Paul was full of anxiety about this visit to Jerusalem, because God sent numerous prophetic messages of danger awaiting him. He had every reason to expect that the same Jews who sought for his life, would attend the feast that he came to observe.

However, the Jerusalem church people were very glad to see Paul again, and they gave him a warm reception of love and hospitality.

James and the elders were blessed to see Paul.

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

This text refers to James the son of Mary, and cousin to our Lord. He appears to have been bishop of the Church in Jerusalem, and perhaps the only apostle who remained in that city.

Paul drew near to James and the elders, with joyful greetings. Paul commenced to give a full report of all that God did in his ministry efforts among the Gentiles.

The Greek word that is found in our English language is translated "declared" and is contained in the word exegesis. The idea is opening up the scripture with proper interpretation and sound application, having  reached a sound conclusion through thorough study of a passage of scripture. 

In this case, Paul led his audience through a very thorough and detailed accounting of his ministry. 

Paul heard that some believing Jews were prejudiced against him and by declaring what God had done by him among the Gentiles, he proved their assumptions were without grounds.  

If he were a bad man who dishonored God by his actions, then God would not have made him such a powerful instrument of good. Thus, Paul took time to fully describe all that God did, so that they might rejoice in the Lord for His mighty works, for all the churches planted and souls saved. 

God was glorified and a potential problem addressed. 

Acts 21:20,21  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: 21)  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. 

God was glorified and rightly so, since He did the work, and Paul happily ascribed all credit for his ministry to his God. 

Notice, that Paul was their brother in the faith, a close comrade in Christian ministry and a fellow worker in spreading the gospel. 

They asked Paul to take note of how many tens of thousands of believing Jews were in Jerusalem, and how zealous they were of the law. 

These same Jews heard that Paul taught all the Jews who believed with the Gentiles, to forsake the law of Moses. 

This was a twisted view of what Paul taught. He proved that Jesus Christ fulfilled the law for us and that His righteousness would be imputed to all who turn to Him with repentant faith, whether Jew or Gentile.

In fact, if you read Paul's epistles, you will find that he upheld the ten commandments. The lone exception was the Lord's Day for the church being observed on Sunday. This replaced the Jewish Sabbath. 

Now, we come to a challenging passage of scripture that has been the subject of much debate. Some say that Paul was out of the will of God when he went to Jerusalem and submitted to a Jewish vow that included making a sacrifice.

The Jerusalem council ruled that the Jews could not make Gentile believers come under the law, nor could Gentiles insist that the Jews stop practicing the law, provided they were not trusting in law keeping for their salvation. 

God calls us to faith just as we are.

1 Corinthians 7:17-20  But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. 18)  Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19)  Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20)  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 

Paul laid down some of the principles of the grace of God.

The key phrase is "as God hath distributed to every man." Some people were called to salvation out of pagan religion and some out of Judaism. 

If you were called to Christ as a Jew, do not become uncircumcised, and if called as a Gentile, to not be circumcised. They were to abide in their calling as God called them. 

Circumcision is nothing nor is uncircumcision anything before God. It is Jesus Christ who gives us a right standing with God. 

Are we willing to do whatever it takes to win souls for Christ?

1 Corinthians 9:19  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 

Paul was a free born Roman citizen but he was willing to be a slave to others, which meant that he might lead them to Christ. 

1Corinthians 9:20  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 

To the Jews, Paul became as a Jew. He could do this because he was born a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin. He was raised under the law and could relate to Jews laboring under the law. 

Therefore, in Luke's record we see that Paul took on a Jewish vow. Why? That he might lead some of the Jews to repentant faith in Jesus Christ. He became as one under the law in order to win those who were under the law.

James worried about potential trouble for Paul.

Acts 21:22-24  What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23)  Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24)  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. 

This is why James and the elders suggested that Paul take on a Jewish vow.  They believed that it would alleviate the fears of Jewish believers who still observed the law. 

Paul was willing to be guided by men like James, in whose judgment he had full confidence. In addition, he was flexible as long as the truth wasn't compromised . He gladly became as a Jew to Jews, that he might save the Jews.

James advice was to show the Jews that Paul was not an enemy to Moses by demonstrating that he still considered the law to be holy, just, and good. Paul bore the expenses of four other men who were unable to pay their vows to God. 

In essence, they wanted Paul to affirm his Jewish heritage in order to lead more Jews to Christ. To this, Paul agreed. He accepted the vow because he loved his nation and his people and wanted them to come to faith in Christ. 

The Gentiles status confirmed and Paul assumed a vow.

Acts 21:25,26  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. 26)  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. 

James and the elders at Jerusalem reaffirmed that they would continue to abide by the decision of the Jerusalem council. 

Paul, purified himself and entered the temple the next day. 

Eating meat is allowed under grace, but must not hinder anyone else. 

1 Corinthians 8:7-11  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8)  But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9)  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10)  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11)  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 

Eating meats offered to idols caused similar issues within the church. Some believers knew they were eating meat offered to an idol and their conscience was defiled. 

Paul taught that an idol is nothing. They are lifeless, powerless and unable to do anything (1 Corinthians 8:4). 

Paul reminded us that it does not matter whether we eat meat or not. However, we must not allow our liberty to cause another believer to fall, because they view it as meat offered to idols. 

The idea is that if a weaker brother sees us eat meat offered to idols, and he eats it while still feeling conviction against eating it because it was offered to an idol. then our liberty made him to sin. 

Therefore, Paul said he would not ever eat it, if it would cause a brother to sin, by eating meat offered to idols.

Thoughts to Ponder...

It is somewhat hard for us to understand the complex dynamics in the early church, particularly in Jerusalem.

It is also challenging to think about eating meat as a difficult issue in the church, and yet it was. 

James, the elders and Paul considered these various issues and the potential negative impact upon the faith of believers. It did not matter if they were Jew or Gentile. 

What mattered was making sure that one man's liberty in Christ did not cause another man to stumble.

We can and should pray that the Lord will help us see if any of our actions are a stumbling block to another believer. 

If we find that there is something we do that causes a brother or sister to stumble, then our spiritual obligation is to stop doing whatever is causing the issue, out of love for that brother or sister. 

May the Spirit of God help us understand and apply these truths to our own hearts, so that we can be a blessing and an encouragement to other believers.

Bob