Dear James,
Paul did pride himself in being called by God to be the Apostle to the Gentiles but he did always go to the Synagogues to preach as well. I would like to hear what you think about these verses. I really care about your answers and thoughts.
Acts 21
21: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
22: What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23: Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24: Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
25: As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
26: Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
27: And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him.
The following verses are why I am where I am with the Jews. I have felt called by God to serve him in loving the Jews and sharing the Gospel with them and being a servant to the Gentiles that they may all believe in Him.
1 Corinthians 9
9: For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20: And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21: To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22: To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Paul was a complicated man with a very powerful message. He spoke against circumcision and then had Timothy circumcised. In reality this demonstrated freedom from the law to me. We are free to obey when we are led by God to do so and free of many rituals. Many times the law blocked love and therefore defeated its very purpose. The Lord was clear that the Sabbath was made for men not men for the Sabbath. IMO that is true of the law.
Honestly James I have experienced more law in the Church than in the Synagogues. The rigidity of the rules that are set from a few scriptures are very legalistic. Then so many groups say we must follow these rules or this formula and not have to walk with God in faith. The warnings IMO are for a type of teaching.
May He be praised that we are all growing in Him until we are with Him and if we are deceived He is faithful as our teacher to show us if we are willing to hear,
May the Lord Bless you,
Nancy |
