Rumors, Attacks, and the Will of God Selah - A Podcast by Koinonia Fellowship

When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he presented the church with both a gift and a problem. He brought a gift for the financially struggling church in Jerusalem from the Gentile churches, but he also brought a problem because rumors had been spread that he was encouraging the Jewish believers to forsake the Mosaic traditions and customs.

In light of our study today, I see two reasons for Paul’s readiness to go to Jerusalem in spite of what trouble awaited him there: (1) Paul’s had an intense love and concern for the Jewish Christians that were hurting financially and (2) according to Paul’s own words in Romans 9:1-5, Paul had an intense love to win his fellow unsaved Jews to come to know Jesus as The Christ. Personal comfort or safety was of no concern to Paul when it came to being obedient to the will of God in his life. Paul’s love for Christ, along with his intense love for his fellow Jewish people, both saved and lost, constrained him to live the way that he did. Truly, the Spirit and heart of Jesus Christ was alive in him.

But a problem arose. "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. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come"(Acts 21:21,22). Nowhere did Paul ever say that it was wrong for a Jewish person to practice their ancestral customs, so long as they did not trust in that particular custom or ritual as the reason for their salvation or the basis of fellowship with the Gentile believers. Paul did teach that circumcision was not necessary for either a Jew or a Gentile to be saved. However, contrary to those rumors, Paul had Timothy circumcised before taking him along on the second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3).

So to “solve” the problem, these Jewish leaders of the church in Jerusalem suggested to Paul that he demonstrate his respect for the law of Moses by identifying himself with four other men that had taken a Nazarite vow (Num. 6:13-21). By doing so, they were convinced that Paul would give them all to understand that the matters which had been reported concerning him were without foundation. It is important to bear in mind that Paul didn’t take this vow because he was commanded to do so. He took this vow because he wanted to win these fellow Jews to Jesus Christ, The Messiah (see 1 Cor 9:19-23).

So did their advice to Paul work? The very thing by which he hoped to pacify the Jews backfired. Paul was attacked in the temple by a mob incited by the false charge that he had violated the temple. The Romans rescued him and kept him in custody.

There are going to be times in the serving The Lord beloved when others will attack you or judge you or spread rumors about you even though you are doing the right thing with the right heart for the glory of God. This did not stop Paul from fighting the good fight of faith. Do not allow opposition from within or without the church stop you from serving The Lord beloved. 

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor 15:58  SELAH