The Reporter     Volume 46 # 37,  --  September 14, 2006

 

A Strange Compromise In Jerusalem

 – Acts 21 –

 

   Paul knew that storms would rage in his life when he reached Jerusalem. However, he was determined to do what he believed to be the will of God. He wanted to preach the gospel to his fellow Jews. He would have that opportunity in Jerusalem at Pentecost.

 

   The spread of the gospel in the early days of the church was a beautiful thing. Where ever Paul went he found small groups of Christians serving the Lord. It is wonderful to travel from place to place and find others that are a faithful part of the church of Christ. You can find people all around the world that share the same mind of Christ as you.

 

   At the house of Philip a prophet, named Agabus "took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." It was not unusual for Old Testament prophets to dramatize their message.

 

   The arrival of Paul at Jerusalem presented the church with a problem. Acts 21:17-26 provides one of the most perplexing sections of scripture in the Bible. It is amazing that the entire church in  Jerusalem   had  become  involved  in   "Law keeping." The text says, "they are all zealous of the law." When the law was lifted from the back of Gentiles it was lifted from all Christians. I can see no way that James and Paul were innocent in this matter although they likely acted out of ignorance. James should have told those Jewish Christians that neither he, nor Paul were Law keepers. No one should keep the Jewish Law. It has been abolished with the death of Christ.

 

   This business of the vow had taken Paul into the Temple several times. Some Jews from Asia accused Paul of bringing Trophimus, a Gentile, into the Temple. This would have been very unlawful. There was an uproar and Paul was dragged out of the Temple. He was arrested and bound with two chains.

 

   As the soldiers were attempting to get Paul inside the castle he asked for permission to speak to the mob. He was a man of both conviction and courage. When Paul turned to speak complete silence fell on the mob. In the next chapter we will hear his words.

 

   Paul would not retreat – Acts  21:1-16: Paul knew that danger awaited him in Jerusalem. But he would not retreat. He took ship and quickly passed through Coos, Rhodes, and Patara. At Patara they changed to another ship bound for Phenicia. They saw Cyprus as they sailed on to Syria. The ship landed at Tyre to unload. They spent seven days with the brethren there. Paul received more warning about the danger he faced in Jerusalem.

 

   As was often the case when the missionary team departed there was fellowship and a service of prayers offered to God. Afterwards the brethren returned to their homes and Paul and his company got on the ship again. The journey by ship ended at Ptolemais. There were some Christians there that the brethren spent a day with. Their next stop was at Caesarea. Philip, the evangelist, one of the first deacons lived there. Philip had four virgin daughters that did prophesy. They did not preach or explain scripture in public assemblies; for women were not allowed to do so. They were simply endowed with the gift of being able to foretell future events.

 

         The same Agabus that had predicted the famine in Acts 11:28 now predicted that Paul would be bound by the Jews and delivered to the Gentiles. The brethren believed the prediction and tried to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem. "Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13)

   Compromise about the Law – Acts 21:17-26: When Paul and his companions reached Jerusalem he went to visit James, the Lord's brother. He reported how that God had received many Gentiles into the kingdom. There was still a great deal of confusion among Christians as to their relationship to the Law of Moses. Paul taught that no one is justified by the Law. However, many thousands of Jews which believed were all zealous of the law.

   Paul was accused of teaching the Jews that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk after the costumes of the Law. He was told that there would be a meeting to discuss this matter. James suggested that Paul help four Jewish brethren keep their vows to prove that he was a keeper of the Law. We must become all things to all men but still one cannot help but be amazed at James' suggestion and at the fact that Paul would go along with it. Surely both of these great and good men did what they believed to be right under the circumstances. But, at best this was a tragic compromise.

   Slanderous charges against Paul – Acts 21:27-36: Paul was in and out of the Temple several times to perform the ritual suggested by James. Afterwards, "the Jews which were of Asia said, "This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place."

   An uproar caused Paul to be taken by force out of the Temple and the Temple door was closed. They also were about to kill Paul. Finally the chief captain of the military heard about the riot. He and some soldiers came and bound Paul with two chains and took him away. The captain was confused about what was going on so he took Paul to the castle for further investigation. "The people followed after, crying, Away with him." This was the result of the compromise.                                                                     

  

   Paul faced an angry mob – Acts 21:37-40: As Paul was being pushed toward the Temple he asked for permission to speak to the mob. The chief captain was surprised that Paul spoke the Greek language. He thought Paul was an Egyptian. In the case of both Paul and the Egyptian there was an uproar among the people. The Egyptian caused that riot but Paul was not to blame for this one.

 

   Paul simply identified himself saying, "I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people." He was given permission to speak. He had spoken Greek to the captain. Now he speaks in the Hebrew language to the people. In Acts 22 we will hear what he said to them.

 

   To become a Christian hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to wash away sins. (Acts 22:16) As a Christians you must be willing both to live and to die for Jesus.

 

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Helen Autrey. Baptist East Hospital: Abbie, Herring. In Need Of Prayers: Nikki Bennett, Dannie Box, Janice Box, Hailey Boutwell (granddaughter of LeRoy & Shirley Boutwell), Gene Buck, Emily Cain, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, Montine Hardin, Evan Hartsell, Brenda, Austin, and Andrew Herring, Jimmy Hobbie, Joey Hobbie (grandson of Jimmy & Betty Hobbie), Ann Jackson, Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Joyce Massey, Curtis Newton, Mary Powell, Meg Sellers (mother of Stacie Davis), Roger Strange, Corrine Till, and Gladys Warren. Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, Floyd Smith, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson, Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Ethel Gafford, and Jean Hayes.

 

2. Please Pray For: (a) Alan Jackson as he serves in Iraq. Address: SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117^th FA, APO AE09378, 3^rd PLT. (b) Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders is serving in the Iraq area. (c) Danny Payne, son-in-law of Donald & Nell Davis is serving in the Iraq area. (d) Jason Godwin, son of Barbara Walkers is serving in Iraq. 

 

3. Organized Visitation: The elders plan to start an organized visitation program for Tuesday nights. There will be a meeting at the building Tuesday night, September 19^th, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the details. If you are interested in participating and plan to attend the meeting, please let Lomax or one of the elders know.

 

4. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: September 17^th Jean Gafford, September 18^th Jacob Till, and September 19^th Jane Owen, September 20^th Mildred McCann, September 21^st Digger Kimbro, and September 22^nd Jewel Cauthen.

 

5. Herring Triplets: Austin and Andrew are now home. If you visit please use all health precautions to protect the children. A box is in the foyer so that we might provide a weekly item to help. The item for this week is diapers.

 

6. Young Adult Fellowship: Thomas and Pam Till will host our fellowship on September 23^rd at 7:00 p.m. Drinks will be provided. Please bring finger foods.

 

7. Secret Pal Program: Ladies that are interested in participating in the 2006-2007 Secret Pal program please pick-up a form on the table in the foyer. The forms need to be handed back to Nell Daughtry by September 27^th. Drawing for the coming year and revealing for the past year will be done on October 1^st at the home of Nell Daughtry at 2:00 p.m.

 

8. Ladies Bible Class: All ladies are invited and encouraged to attend Ladies Bible Class which meets Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. The class is studying from the New Testament workbook on the “Life of Christ”. 

 

9. Thank You: Thank you for the flowers, cards, calls, visits, and prayers during my recent illness. I am truly blessed to be a member of the church family that meets here at Walnut Street. Leroy Waller

 

10. New Phone Number: Becky McCreary is now using this cell phone number – 423-494-4427. She no longer has a home phone. Encourage Becky any way you can!

 

11. Church Directory: If you have not received your copy please stop by the visitor’s desk after services to receive your copy.

 

12. Tablecloths Needed: The ladies are trying to buy more tablecloths for the fellowship hall. If anyone can help with the money to purchase these, please see Margaret Phillips or Barbara Walker.

 

13. Kitchen Sign Out Sheet: There is a sign out sheet in the kitchen for all kitchen and all-purpose room items. Please help us keep up with things.

 

14. Area Events: (a) September 25-27 – Spiritual Enrichment Forum at Embassy Suites Hotel – Regions University. (b) September 26-30 – Heritage Christian University – 35^th Annual Evangelism Workshop – Theme “A Future and a Hope”

 

What Should The Church Expect Of Me?

 

   Last week I focused on things that you and I should expect from the church. Today, let’s turn the attention to ourselves. What should the church, and Christ who is the head of the church, be able to expect from individual Christians? 

 

   First of all we’ve got to understand that in order to be added to the church, or body, of Christ, we must “gladly receive the word” in faith, repentance of sins, confession of Jesus Christ as Lord, and be baptism for remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 41, 47). Only after obeying God in these things, can one truly be added to the Lord’s church. 

 

   But when we become members of the church, we are committing to a lifetime of service for the Lord, and certain things are expected of God’s people. The church should expect every member to attend all church services. All Christians should be able to expect exhortation from the church, and one way this is achieved is through the faithful attendance of all Christians (Heb. 10:25).

 

   The church should be able to expect each Christian to be a hard worker. Paul encouraged the Christians at Corinth to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor 15:58). There is no place in God’s family for one who is self-seeking, and who fails to be busy in the Father’s business.

 

   The church should be able to expect me to live in such a way that the Lord and His body of believers can be proud of me. I must be aware that my life reflects either positively or negatively on the church. Every Christian is a representative of the church. Like it or not, people will judge the church by the lives of its members, therefore we must be careful to “walk properly toward those who are outside” (I Thess 4:12). What kind of representation of the church do you show to others? Can the church be proud of you? 

 

-         - - - Darrell Powell

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