Lesson 4690

 (Lesson 4690)(12-06-24) Acts 21:16-30 

   “There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 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 theirildren, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 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. 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. 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. 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, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)” 

 

  Today’s quote relates that Paul and his companions arrived in Jerusalem and were warmly received by the believers. The next day, Paul went to meet James and the elders of the church. They informed him of the growing number of Jewish believers who were concerned about rumors that Paul was teaching Jews to abandon the law of Moses. To address this, they suggested that Paul participate in a purification ceremony with four men who had taken a vow, to show he was not against the law. Paul agreed and took part in the ceremony. However, when some Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple, they stirred up the crowd, accusing him of defiling the temple by bringing Gentiles into it. This led to a violent mob, and Paul was seized and dragged out of the temple. The crowd was about to kill him, but Roman soldiers intervened and arrested Paul to prevent further violence. ~