Articles
Apostle Paul Offering Sacrifices
Apostle Paul Offering Sacrifices
By Paul R. Blake
A brother in a neighboring congregation asked the question: “Why was Paul involved in the temple and sacrifices in Acts 21? Since the Law of Moses was made of no effect in Christ, did he sin?”
Paul and his companions arrived at Jerusalem and met with the Jerusalem brethren who received them gladly. The next day, Paul and his companions met with James and the elders to give a description of the "things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry." The brethren glorified the Lord upon hearing these things. James and the elders explained to Paul the problem they faced. Many of Jews believed, but they were also zealous for the law and customs of Moses. They had been miss-informed that Paul taught Jews, living among the Gentiles, to forsake Moses; that is, Jews were not to circumcise their children nor keep the customs. They expected the
Jewish believers to learn that Paul was in Jerusalem and that they would be troubled. James and the elders gave Paul a plan; he should accompany the four men who had taken a vow, purify himself, and pay their expenses, all in an effort to show that Paul still kept the customs of a Jew. They restated that the believing Gentiles were not subject to the law (Acts 15-25). Paul followed their plan. He took the men and was purified with them.
While the covenant of the Law of Moses was voided by the cross and justification was now in Christ and not the Law, it is true that God accepted the Christians of Hebrew origins to practice elements of the Law if their conscience required them to do so. For example, in Romans 14, Paul writes that some Christians feel compelled to observe the feast and fast days and to avoid unclean meats. While God is indifferent to those old restrictions from the Law of Moses, He expects Jewish Christians to continue to observe them if their conscience felt guilty if they did not do it. In fact, Paul said he would avoid meats if it troubled the tender conscience of brethren to see him eat it (1Cor. 8).
The vow under question is called the Nazarite vow. It was a custom among men who believed themselves blessed by God to undergo the Nazarite rites to discipline themselves as an expression of gratitude and a promise of future service in return for God’s blessings. While this had nothing to do with salvation in Christ, it was a powerful custom among those with Hebrew heritage. Apparently these four men’s conscience required them to do this, just as in Romans 14 those brethren avoided meat and observed the feast and fast days. God permitted them to do it because of their tender conscience.
In addition, Paul, by helping them with purifying himself with fasting and washing and by paying their expenses, was doing exactly what he wrote in 1Corinthians 8 about accommodating the tender consciences of weaker brethren.
Regarding the Nazarite customs of Paul’s day: “Among the Jews, it was common to make vows to God on extraordinary occasions; and that of the Nazarite appears to have been one of the most common; and it was permitted by the law for any person to perform this vow by proxy. It was also customary for the richer sort to bestow their charity on the poorer sort for this purpose.” (Barnes Notes)
As brethren grew in their understanding about the passing of the Law and that it was not necessary to keep on practicing the rituals, offerings, and vows for conscience sake, this sort of behavior would gradually disappear. As Jews became scattered after the destruction of Jerusalem, their customs would become increasingly irrelevant. But for a time near the beginning of the church, Christians with a Hebrew background often had strong conscience scruples toward practicing elements of the Law. God permitted it and continues to permit it today.
For example, if a man is converted out of Catholicism, but still feels guilty about eating meat on Friday, God expects him to avoid meat on Fridays for his conscience’s sake, even though it is Catholicism. It doesn’t matter one little bit whether or not you and I think he ought to cease practicing Catholic doctrine. What matters is God accepts him. It did not matter one bit that the Law of Moses was no longer valid. What mattered was that there were hundreds of Jewish believers who were troubled in heart and conscience about Paul, so he accommodated their tender conscience (Rom. 14:2-6, 20-23; 1Cor. 8:7-13).
Politicians vs. Statesmen
What the ancients said about politicians sounds eerily familiar to us. Our own civil leaders behave more like Ahab, Jereboam, and Jehoram rather than like Moses, Hezekiah, and Josiah. One can respect the office held by civil leaders and deplore their immoral conduct and decisions.
"You have all of the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner" (Aristophanes, Knights, 424 B.C., line 92).
"This is what extremely grieves us, that a man who never fought, should contrive our taxes to pilfer; one who for his native land, never to this day had oar, or lance, or blister in his hand" (Aristophanes, Wasps, 422 B.C., line 1117).
"Those who treat politics and morality apart will never understand the one or the other" (John, Viscount Morley of Blackburn, Rousseau, 1876).
"No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character" (John, Viscount Morley of Blackburn, Critical Miscellanies, Robespierre, 1908).
What I find more troubling than immoral and foolish politicians who falsely promise money to the masses are the materialistic, professed Christians who enable them with their vote.
A Moments Wisdom on Modesty
--It was the Almighty who decreed that men and women must cover their nakedness by wearing proper and modest clothing. No amount of rationalizing can change God's will. No amount of fashion design can turn immodesty into virtue, and no amount of popularity can change sin into righteousness.
--Dress modestly. Girls, go and find modest clothes and wear them, make them as beautiful as you can and be attractive and make up to your boyfriends with a bright intellect and sweet spirit and attractive demeanor. It is a rather weak girl who has only her body to attract someone.
--Modesty is the conscience of the body.
--Modesty is the beauty of women. (Gaelic Proverb)
--Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.
--When virtue and modesty enlighten her charms, the glow in the face of a woman is brighter than the stars of heaven.
Upcoming Sermons
2/11/23 AM - Weights and the World; PM - How Christians Condemn the World
2/18/24 AM - Everyone Wants to Go to Heaven; PM - “I’m Bored”
2/25/24 AM - What Does It Mean to Be Spiritually Strong?; PM - Unwittingly Entertaining Angels
3/3/24 AM - The Temple of God is Holy; PM - Worship in Song: Congregational Choice of Songs
3/10/24 AM - “I Cannot Give” (Requested); PM - The Grace of Giving (Requested)
3/17/24 AM - Guest Speaker; PM - Guest Speaker
3/24/24 AM - Understanding Christian Humility; PM - Why One Can Earn a Place in Hell, But Not a Home in Heaven
3/31/24 AM - “Little Sins”?; PM - The Person of the Holy Spirit (Requested)
