Acts 21:17-40 THIS IS THE MAN It is entirely appropriate for one who labors in the Gospel to review before his brethren in the assembly, the work God is doing through his hands in distant places. Paul, the apostle, gave a very detailed account of his work among the Gentile nations to the elders of the assembly in Jerusalem. The other apostles either were gone to other places carrying out the commission they had received from the Lord, or they had died. Some historians have sought to identify various places where they went, such as Thomas to India. What we know from this written record is that there was a second generation of leadership that was quite different from the first leaders. They certainly rejoiced and praised God for what was being done in the foreign fields, and the wonderful deliverances Paul had experienced was a reason to recognize God was working through His faithful servant. But the original characteristics of the Jerusalem church was being undermined by Judaism. An assembly takes on the character of the leadership. Those who oversee the work, set the course of the teaching, the public testimony and the example that believers follow.
For some reason the elders of the Jerusalem assembly had turned to compromising the truth of the New Testament with Judaism. There had been those in the church at the beginning twenty years before, but now there were "thousands" who were zealous of the law. The law and its demands seem to have become more important to them than the Lord Jesus Christ who met the demands of the law and redeemed us from its curse. To accommodate to prevailing opinions of the world of unbelievers around us weakens the testimony of an assembly to the condition in which there is no power in the preaching of the Gospel nor to the teaching to God's people. It doesn't take very long to lose any spiritual influence in a community when we back away from the principle of separation.
The compromise with Judaism did not make the Gospel any more attractive to the citizens of Jerusalem. It certainly did not stop the antagonism of those Jews from Asia who came to the city for the feast and knew that Paul was there. The anti-Christ and anti-gentile prejudice of the Judaizers was not turned aside at all by the advice of the brethren to Paul to compromise. When we start to take matters into our own hands without the guidance of God, then one wrong thing leads to another. The problem of false rumor will always be with us in the work of the Lord. Any person who does not tell all the truth about a matter, may not think his holding back will have any consequences. But another person picking up the narrative where he left off, will create a further compromise to what are the facts of a matter. Before long as a partial truth multiplies, a totally false report emerges that cannot be stopped.
Unfortunately, Paul's attempt to settle the problem of rumors failed. His submission to a Jewish vow apparently for the sake of the Gospel, failed on all accounts. The desire of the elders to avoid what was considered by them to be unnecessarily offensive to those who practiced Judaism, produced a full-fledged riot by the anti-Christian Jews and those they influenced. We all need to remember there is always going to be opposition to what is of God by the world, the flesh and the devil. Compromising the truth never establishes a principle of righteousness or peace. Compromise never accomplishes the final desired goal, although it may make things easier at the time. We do not have to antagonize people by an aggressive attitude towards the people and trying to force them to act in faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ. It is important though, that we do continue to "preach Christ" and tell people the Gospel clearly so they are without excuse.
The desire of the elders of the church at Jerusalem was apparently a peaceful coexistence with Judaism and those in the church of God. There were those in the church who wanted to use the law as a means of being assured they were pleasing God. There will always be those who are attracted to works as a proof of salvation. But that does not mean we have to accommodate ourselves to that which is wrong. It is fine to be patient with the unlearned, but when there are those who are not willing to listen to the Word of God and change from their unscriptural beliefs and practices, then we have to separate from them. When there are "unruly and vain talkers" among us, they will have to be silent. Paul was submissive to the elders it is true, but we are not to submit to what is wrong when unscriptural practices are imposed on us for the wrong reasons.
What they had hoped to avoid, happened anyway. God sometimes allows things like that rioting mob to put Paul out of the temple, because He has a larger purpose. The intention of the Jewish leaders was to kill Paul. The beating was stopped by the Gentile soldiers whom God had in place to carry out His intention. Paul was to take the Gospel to kings and leaders, so God did it His way - by placing Paul in the protective custody of the government. Even when we fail in our work for the Lord, and we know there are sad consequences that follow - we do not need to despair. God expects us to pick ourselves up and go forward again as the way opens up before us. We really don't know the full reason Paul insisted on going to Jerusalem. We don't know what motivated this brave, bold man to submit to Jewish vows. This man who had written the book of Galatians before, seemed to be acting inconsistently with what he believed and taught. But we do know that wonderful man loved the Lord to the extent he was willing to die for Him. So whatever the reasons for his actions, it was between him and the Lord.
There will be things we see and wonder about in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. And we may feel well justified in condemning their actions. But there are some things it is not right for us to meddle in nor about which to make accusations. I have to live before the Lord each day of life myself. I know I have failings and have failed in many things. So far be it far from me to pass my judgment on others when I don't know the whole story or the reasons behind their actions. The Master knows all that really matters. Who knows what seems to be a defeat, may turn out to be the first step of a great victory yet to be seen!
Why is the crowd, the restless masses rallying together against one man? Is there some underlying reason, for them coming up with such a plan As to kill one servant who has taken some unreasonable vow To please them, and the whole city comes together united now In fevered frenzy to eliminate one man - what can be gained? The desperate anxiety they had was to inflict much pain - And after that, to take the life innocent of charges laid on him - The problem unfaced they refused to admit, was their own sin.
I may never know what reasons lie beyond the unfounded accusations. It may be misunderstanding or simply lack of effective communication. If there is something I should do, that the matter can be erased - Then I need to act on that so my faults in the matter can be traced. But if nothing is known to be wrong, and I cannot do a thing - Then let me rest in peace, and to the throne of grace I'll bring The matter to the One to whom every thought and intent is known - And leave it there to gently die, or if necessary be shown.
Failure is not uncommon in the Christian life, because we're human. But grace unlimited is there to meet the need and keep from ruin That which is profitable in spite of damage that perhaps will result From some unknown sin or when as a brother, I'm taken in a fault. Lest I despair and consider all that has been done for God of no account, May I be willing from my "high horse" to stop and then dismount To humbled knees and pride and face to the ground, and mercy claim - Then rise and go forward, forgiven and restored, to bless others in Jesus' name.
"I know Father, there are times when failures threaten to stop my enthusiasm for the work because of self-pity. Have mercy on Thy servant, and for Jesus' sake, empower me again to declare Thy righteousness and grace that others may be blessed. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
WHAT GOD HATH WROUGHT. From the day of salvation through the rest of His life, God had chosen this man to speak clearly for Him. He knew in his heart that that although there would be strife; God was working by grace in each place he had been.
They labored together, these faithful men of old; As the Lord through them, spread the word of His truth. There were times when their message was to the Jewish fold; And in other times God called them from the Jews, to break path.
It is not easy for a man to be misunderstood, Especially when he knows this is the way of God’s leading. When a city or town rejects, even a church of God Condemns; more than the body, but the heart too, is bleeding.
Yet, with a call from God and joy in their soul, The Lord of the harvest did through these men work. The years of travel and the tough life took its toll, As God through His servants delivered men from the dark.
The darkness of sin has so many in bonds; We wonder if light can pierce even such gloom. However, when God works in regions beyond; The results for God’s glory are souls delivered from doom.
Even religion with its’ fanciful claims, That calls to the world with an arrogant voice; Cannot stand against grace spoken in Jesus’ name; As the spokesmen for God call for everyone’s choice.
“Choose you this day,” came from the ancient past; To a generation of people, who God called to Himself. When the leader of a people called the nation to task, It was a call to a Person, not to self-worth or wealth.
God wrought mighty wonders down through the years; When those He sent, spoke for Him in those places. They were able to tell others of fruit the Gospel bears, And rejoiced together of the blessing God’s grace is.
God wrought great wonders in the souls of men, In the past, when His work through their efforts did prosper. Today God’s the same, here He works mightily when
With confidence in God we present what the Gospel offers.
God has wrought great blessings when young souls are saved. He has wrought great blessing on the older folks too. His workers march on telling of God grace when he gave Christ to the cross, that He might salvation endue.
“O wonder-working God: I am so thankful when people come to us and tell us God has saved them. A work of God in the heart of young children is a wonder to me. In their simplicity, they just believe what God says. When a person is older the barriers are higher, but I am thankful that the Spirit of God knows no bounds. Thanks for visiting these meetings with Thy salvation. To GOD BE ALL THE GLORY. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”