Hello Nancy, This statement by Paul, that you allude to is the reason that you partake of the Messianic Jews ceremonies and customs was in all of Paul's writings, the hardest thing that he ever said that anyone in the body of Christ could defend.
"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;" Acts 21:24.
Obviously, Paul was put on the spot by the the major Apostles tp the Jews, Peter and James. They cornered him and suggested that if he would follow some of the Jewish Laws then he would grab the hearts of the Jews and they would believe in Christ from his actions of purification.
None of the Disciples were without sin as Christ. But several times even Peter was without excuse for things he had said and done.
Yes, Paul's actions are indefensible in this case. You and I both know that Jesus proved this mixing of the Law and Grace was 100% wrong. What happened to Paul in this instance, when he went against his own doctrine for the sake of the Apostles? The Jews he preached to almost killed him. Did he convert any by these actions that are at a cross purpose to one another?
Paul was a minister of God's Mystery of Grace, but in this case, as he has stated in his own words. The flesh won out.
God give you all His best today,
James
|
