BibleTrekToday.com

What is to be done?

Scripture reading for June 3: Acts 21

“And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they had heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to their customs. What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Acts 21:17-22

The early church in Jerusalem was primarily Jewish and Apostles Peter and James were the elders in charge. Paul was sent by Jesus to the Gentiles and he came to Jerusalem to report about what God was doing through his ministry. These church leaders glorified God for what was being done. But there was a concern over Paul’s reception among the many new Jewish converts there. They had received reports of Paul’s teachings to the Gentiles and how Paul had advocated that the Jews who were also in the Gentile church Paul established were told that they did not have to keep the law, circumcise their children or keep Jewish customs. This was causing division.

“What then is to be done?” James and the leaders asked. They came up with a plan to have Paul go through the purity vows of the temple before worship. There were some other Jewish believers who would do this as well to try and win over those who were still zealous for the law of Moses. Their plan was put into place, but ended up in conflict. The crowd was stirred up against Paul and his party and they were ready to beat them and stone them. Roman soldiers intervened to stop the execution.

Does this shock your understanding of the conduct of people who were religious and had trusted in Jesus? Does church leadership always have all the right answers for disagreements? What world view clashes were evident during this encounter of Jews, Jewish believers, and Gentiles and Apostles?

Prayer: Father God, Thank You for recording these events in the early church where the Apostles and believers had to work out their world view and live as a believer in Jesus in a culture of mixed backgrounds. Help me to live in an understanding way, bringing peace when views clash. Amen.

Word of knowledge!

Scripture reading for June 2nd:  Acts 21

Key Scriptures for over-comers:  Acts 21:10-11  “After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'”

Paul received a prophetic word of knowledge concerning what would happen to him when he arrived in Jerusalem. This word was not meant to frighten Paul or the church, but to strengthen them all for the persecution that would surely come to Paul and also to them in due time.  The initial reaction of the church was to try and persuade Paul to avoid the journey to Jerusalem.  But Paul had already heard from God about this trip.  He informed them that he was ready to go and even to die for Christ if this was God’s will.

Observations for over-comers:  God uses His people to bring words of knowledge and prophetic utterances to strengthen and encourage believers.  Over-comers listen to what God is saying and press on to do His will!  “Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.  They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.”  (Jeremiah 1:18-19)