When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly.
Acts 21:17-26
Upon Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem, he was well received by the brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul, former persecutor of the early church in Jerusalem, is warmly greeted by friends and relatives of those whom he had previously jailed and had killed. The next day, Paul met with the church elders and gave them a report of the missionary work that had been accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit. After Paul’s good report, the church leaders praised God for His mighty working throughout the Roman Empire. But, they, then, warned Paul of rumors that Paul was teaching heretical Jewish theology, such as turning from Moses’ teachings and not circumcising Gentile converts. The Jerusalem church elders proposed to Paul that Paul “hire” four men as “body guards” who will take a vow, shave their heads and be purified so that, in public, they will testify, by their example, that there is no truth to the rumors being spread about Paul. The next day, Paul, along with the men, purified himself. Afterward, Paul made notification in the temple of the purification, its length and, the offering to be made for each man at the end. Paul is seeing the trouble brewing against him that had been prophesied about him on his travels to Jerusalem. Paul is not passively watching this trouble come upon him. Instead, he is listening to and following advice given by the elders of the Jerusalem church. Paul is a smart man and dedicated to his Lord Jesus. Paul already knows that he is to preach to kings and rulers, some of whom he has already preached to but, Paul knows that he will suffer much for his Lord Jesus. Paul also knows that, whether he lives or dies, he belongs to Jesus and he is ready to do whatever the Lord commands. Oh, Christian, have you ever seen such faith today? Lord Jesus, give us Christians today with such faith as the Apostle Paul. Source: S C Ball July 31, 2023
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