The good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ was the guiding principle of Paul’s life. Because of this, he did all he could to build bridges with Jews and Gentiles alike. He summed up his willingness to work with all kinds of people (strong and weak, Jew and Gentile, male and female) in these words:
I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I might become a partner in it (1 Corinthians 9:22b–23).
Paul specifically included his ministry to the Jews in his effort to advance the gospel:
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to gain Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might gain those under the law (1 Corinthians 9:20).
When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, his commitment to the Jews was put to the test. Church leaders rejoiced over the great work God had done among both Jews and Gentiles through his ministry. But there was also a problem: rumors were spreading that Paul was not keeping the law.
They have been told about you that you teach all the Jews living among the gentiles to forsake Moses and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs (Acts 21:21).
The Claim and the Facts
An internet search estimates that there are about 350 Christian denominations in America today. I believe many of them formed because a dynamic leader said, “I came to Jesus this way, and you should too.” When others disagreed, they separated and formed their own denomination.
Paul’s generous love for all people, and his desire to keep the gospel central rather than focus on Jewish-centered details, brought him into conflict with the Jewish establishment. They believed that people should become part of God’s family the same way they did. As a result, they intensified their attacks and spread false claims about his work.
In their accusations, they overlooked the fact that Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3). Nothing in Paul’s letters counseled Jewish believers not to circumcise their children. Earlier, Paul had even brought a large offering from Gentile believers to provide aid to Jews during a famine.
Paul’s Risk
The Jerusalem church leaders advised Paul to go to the temple to satisfy his critics:
We have four men who are under a vow. Join these men, go through the rite of purification with them, and pay for the shaving of their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you but that you yourself observe and guard the law (Acts 21:23b–24).
Paul followed the church leaders’ guidance and did what they asked. He went to the temple with these men. Tomorrow’s article will describe what happened there.
For now, we should recognize that Paul wanted to bring the gospel to the Jews first. This included defending his work for God at the temple in Jerusalem. But he also wanted to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, and in the end, he did this by going to Rome.
Peace for the Sake of the Gospel
Paul could have responded to the Christian leaders in Jerusalem in many ways. He could have pleaded his case and said, “I am innocent before all these people. They have no right to judge me unfairly.” Or he could have simply left the city and gone on his way.
Instead, he fulfilled his calling to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. He did everything he could to keep the gospel, not his personal wishes, as his main priority.
We would do well to follow Paul’s example. May we learn that the gospel matters most, and be willing to do whatever we must to make peace so that we can share it.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Acts 21:1–26 on YouTube today.
