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by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 21:20, when these Jerusalem elders learned how Paul had been so blessed and used, they praised God. His testimony rang true. It was so very real.
They worshipped God and gave Him all the glory. They saw the Hand of God upon his ministry, but then, they reveal something that is on their heart. They are apprehensive. Why?
Verse 20. "We have a problem here in Jerusalem. You see brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. Now, some of these Jewish disciples of Jesus Christ have been led to believe that you are teaching Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake the teachings of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs."
These leading disciples of Jesus Christ, even the eldership in Jerusalem, had fallen for a method the enemy commonly uses - DECEPTION. He seeks to deceive the brothers. He is a deceiver of the brethren.
These anointed, Spirit-filled, men of God, had listened to rumours about Paul's ministry. They believed the rumours, and were deceived. Nowhere do we read of Paul teaching believers in Jesus Christ to forsake or reject the teachings of Moses.
This is why it is vital to get at the truth and find out what the truth is. What is truth? Truth is the actual state of affairs as contrasted with rumour, myth, legend, or false report.
This is vital in the Church of Jesus Christ - to get at the truth - to believe the truth - to wear the belt of truth - and to reject rumours, myths, legends and false reports.
Now they ask Paul to do something. "There are four men with us who have made a vow. Would you agree to align yourself with these men - even paying their expenses - then, everybody will believe - then, everybody will know - that there is no truth in the reported rumours about you - but they will see that you yourself are living in obedience to the law."
O, that it were that easy to dispel rumours and satisfy those who spread false reports.
This time Paul says, "YES". His concern is NOT for himself, but for others. To Paul Unity and Harmony within the Body of Christ is vital. Paul is willing to do something which he did not need to do, if this might quash the rumours - if this is what the Jerusalem leadership consider would heal the situation. If this was to be the remedy, Paul would do it. He would give it a try to silence any lies. "No harm in trying."
Paul would not listen to people at times when they were only concerned about his own personal welfare and well-being and safety, but when the elders ask Paul to do something for the sake of the welfare and unity of the Church - risking misunderstanding - he would do what was unnecessary - if that might be beneficial for the Church in Jerusalem.
What an example! Such willingness! But it did not work out. This did not solve the problem. There was a riot and Paul is accused of breaking the law.
But see the flexibility and willingness to listen to the united local leadership in an attempt to dispel the lies, which were being spread. There is a lesson here for each of us.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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