The Power of the Gospel to Unify Divided People!
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Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Key Truth: Courageously preserve the unity that Christ won for very different people!
Paul’s heart - two goals in coming - offering for poor, But also recognition that not different or better than or independent from - 4th meeting with James, but now 15 years since.. ; big plans after 3rd missionary journey strengthening/discipleship - mission - Rome and then Spain.
But conclusion of book of Acts, not just a repeat of 3 missionary missionary trips. This 4th quarter - conclusion - about something else - Where does Acts start Jersualem. 3000 from nations believe - Witness where - movement from Jew to Gentile - end in Rome - one constant proclaiming Word, gospel of Christ in power. But compared to the 20 y, this last part, 2 weeks in Jerusalem, 2 years to Roman trial, this last part - in slow motion - next two chapter -just a couple weeks - like Gospels - last week of Jesus life almost half = 7 times mentions going up to Jerusalem and will suffer; 5 trials, 3x both of them declared innocent by Roman authorities. Both slapped - Luke - clearly saying what Paul does in Jerusalem is a big part of the power of the gospel in the church and world. How through suffering and persecution strengthen the church and testify to world -
But there is an even bigger shift that the book of Acts is concluding with. All through Acts including the beginning of this story - The Physical Temple still a good place - they gather there for prayer, for worship even, at first. The People of Israel as a nation seen in OT light, the ritual and ceremonial Law still being held on to by Jews. But in the middle of this chapter 21, the doors to the Temple come slamming shut - It wasn't that the OT temple was bad or evil, but the fulness and real glory of temple seen in Christ raised up in 3 days new Temple of People - the Law as Paul had already been teaching, not problem in its self - but as a way to righteousness defective - Christ showed glory of Law - fulfilled in hife life - written now on hearts - rituals fulfilled and Spirit working God’s will out of thankfulness and true love ; and the People, Peter Himself - Cornelius and seeing God work in ministry of Paul - said taking from Gentiles too a people called by His Name - New Israel with Gentiles grafted in! Shift started even in Stephen whom Paul had accused of same things but now fuller!
But there is an even bigger shift that the book of Acts is conculding with. All through Acts including the beginnign of this story - The Physical Temple still a good place - they gather therre for prayer, for worship even at first, The People of Israel as a nation seen in OT light, the Law still being held on to by Jews - But in the middle of this chapter the doors to the Temple come slamming shut - It wsn’t that the OT temple was bad or evvil or that Paul taught about it - but fulness and real glory of temple seen in Christ raised up oin 3 days new Temple of People - the Law as Paul had already been teacing, not problem in its self - but as a way to righteousness deffective - Christ showed glory of Law - fulfilled in hife life - written now on hearts - rituals fulfilled and Spirit working God’s will out of thankfulness and true love ; and the People, Peter HImself - Cornelious and seeing God work in ministry of Paul - said taking from Gentiles too a people called by His Name - New Israel with Gentiles grafted in! Shift started even in Stephen whom Paul had accused of same things but now fuller!
Now from the point of view of the story of the church hugely important. A version of Jesus-following growing up. Judaizers - says must be come a Jew - ritual ceremonies like sacrifices, dietary laws, essential for salvation. If Paul doesn’t come to Jerusalem, if he doesn’t show how Judaism fulfillment is in Christ and that Jewish Xns and Gentile Xns are one, eventually have Gentile Church and separate Jewish church not one unified Church! Remember all the way down - people, and Spirit warning trouble - they even said don’t go. He didn’t have to - had plans to do great work in Rome and Spain. But AT Robertson writes: He was not willing to go on to Rome and the west and leave a cankering sore at Jerusalem right in the heart of Christendom. Under God he had won the east for Christ and saved it from the Judaizers. He would win the west. But, if he left the great church at Jerusalem practically at outs with him, the trouble might break out again in Syria, Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, Achaia. And if he should be able to hold his following again there would be a schism in the Christian body. After 70 AD - destruction of the Temple by Rome - realize called together - condemned that false teaching. Shift happens here.
After 70 AD - destruction of the Temple by Rome - realize called together - condemned that false teaching. Shift happens here.
But just as important beyond church history, is our own story, when you see what is living in James the Just, brother of Jesus leader of church in Israel and you see what is going on in Paul’s heart apostle to the Gentiles - you need to ask what’s going on in my heart - with Christ’s church today!
A. Develop a Heart for Unity with All Believers
Note how Paul describes God’s work among the Gentiles coming to Christ -
After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Is that how we see things? God’s work only through instruments like you and me. But God really powerfully working. These Jews most of them nationalistic still in Jerusalem. Yet James with elders, maybe 70 of them, they hear Paul recounting one by one the miracle of Gentile world turning to Christ.
And when they heard it, they glorified God.
And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
Always on the look out church in the world, in people different than us - Ask the question:
Who am I cheering for?
Ask the question: Who am I cheering for. Ie Greg’s dad - break Candians mini-stick in half! Big question when see people different than yourself, maybe hair cut, maybe sear swords, lifestyle - more hung up on outward things, than getting to know their heart, burden for them, and when God starts working - Glorify him and cheer that! There is no hint of Luke recording any hostility, un gratefulness.
Ie Greg’s dad - break Canadians mini-stick in half! Big question when see people different than yourself, maybe hair cut, maybe sear swords, lifestyle - more hung up on outward things, than getting to know their heart, burden for them, and when God starts working - Glorify him and cheer that! There is no hint of Luke recording any hostility, ungratefulness.
But it goes the other way too. James in a time of such intense Jewish Patriotism and Jewish nationalism - just been Egyptian leading revolt … Just been Agrippa trying to win favour - paid as benefactor for several poor Jews vows - The Jewish Sicari… Assassins in temple, if there were any Jewish aristocracy that sided with Rome - knock them off. But did you hear what James said, thousands, myriads, figuratively many, but as actual number in Hebrew to Jewish 10,000 and more than one 10,000. ie. End of each day, Moses Prays return to the 10,000 = each individually! Historians agree by this time in Palestine 8x as many Jewish Christians as there were belonging to Jewish sect of the Pharisees. Maybe beyond 5% of population of Jerusalem, which soared to 2m at Passover but only 600,000.
Now what I want you to see here is that Paul deeply cared about this. It is not just every ethnic group find their own Jesus and follow in their own way. Linked partnership - deep trust - we are one with you - one spirit, one baptism one God and Father in one LORD Jesus Christ. Paul cares that his own heritage part of that oneness in Romans and in Corinthians says: I’ve seen the third heaven - but give it all up - if my countrymen accept Christ - I would be accursed if that would men they would get Christ. Paul’s chief motivation in interrupting his own discipiling and missionary effort, so Jewish and Gentile believers get this solidarity:
At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.
TY - BOOK
TI - Epochs in the life of Paul: a study of development in Paul’s career
AU - Robertson, A. T.
CY - London
PB - Hodder and Stoughton
PY - 1909
SE - 218
ER -
At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
Do you see the heart of both of these men. Does that same love live in your heart Paul had for and James had for Gentile believers? In this place we have people born into the Christian homes, but also those new, we have lot of Dutch heritage people, but not all Canadian, German, SriLankin, Scottish - We have got millennials, boomers - Are you just content to hang with Christians like you , or are you striving for unity with those different than you - Glorifying God’s work in their lives?
A Heart for Unity is not enough on its own thought. A unity that’ is man-made never strong enough. Christian unity is always and ever a God-made one, with the gospel truth - Christ and His Work at the Centre! Paul willing to set aside his Gentile mission, that Jerusalem church sent him on, to be of service, and to work for solidarity are you?
B. Apply Gospel-Truths to Difficulties that Divide
And here is where trouble comes in our text and in our churches. Listen to what James and the elders tell Paul next. It is the very thing he was so anxious about in comong -
they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
Some think James was just kowtowing to these pharisee like Jewish believers and was forcing Paul to compromise the gospel. But there is no indication that Paul sees this as a compromise of either gospel or moral law of God. If that were what James was doing it wouldn’t be a gospel way to handle difficulty. And that needs to be pointed out here in how Jesus would have us do church. There is a gospel way to handle conflict. These zealot Jewish Christians, had sent messengers to Antioch and tried to get them to make Gentiles follow Jewish rituals. Same in Asia Minor. Galatia said that was essential to salvation! At the Jerusalem Council -figured out a gospel way- assumed keep up their Jewish ceremonies but not necessary for Gentile Christians. Later Peter didn’t have the guts when visiting - Paul had to stand up to him - table fellowship - can’t use dietary Jewish customs to break fellowship - can’t give into saying real salvation is only for those who keep ceremonial law - Peter repented difficulty handled ith the gospel.
But now these Pharisaic Jewish Christians are handling Paul is definitely not a gospel way to handle differences. They trump up same charge Jews used against Stephen.
And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
That word TOLD ABOUT YOU literally means - echoing about - gossiping - are you ever guilty of this - speaking about some difference a person has here without knowing their motivation or even the facts. , log speck … gently restore…
Do they have the facts? That word forsake Moses - actually Maccabees for APOSTATIZE - completely fall away and rebel against Law of God, Covenant given by Moses.. Paul has indeed said - Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, Christ has fulfilled the Law, Paul has said for salvation the law is useless except to reveal our sin, but it all pointed to Christ, great tutor to Christ, Law as moral code, never live up to - but now in the Spirit begin to - Paul said Law wasn’t problem, but our ability was and only find that in Christ! Now the Pharisaic Jewish Christians are paying so much attention to the difference between practices o Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, that Christ is lost and all that remains is the different practices that divide.
Ever experience that - bothered so much by a little thing, peripheral thing - that don’t really care anymore about the major thing - strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Not a gospel way to handle conflict over issues of practices and application.
But what about the accusation that Paul has taught that Jews should no longer circumcise their baby boys? Set apart families unto Lord - nationalistic sign. True, Paul has said in Romans while in Corinth, circumcision of heart is what’s most important and what the OT sign was pointing to in Christ. In Colossians: that Christian baptism now serves that purpose both for Jewish Christian who circumcise and Gentiles that don’t. But listen to Paul - circumcision and circumcision is nothing Shadow passing way - never required of , but also if ethnic custom - no reason why Jew have to stop doing this. In fact most Reformed man I know , DK professor, all of his boys and ancestors before on 8th day - insists not religious but custom adiaphora. Don’t think necessary. but if at this time stumbling block in that time - and they realize no salvific value - But no these zealous Jewish believers actually spreading lies for effect - we are different, we are better, don’t like that Paul guy, don’t need to be one with Gentile believers!
But what about the accusation that Paul has taught that Jews should no longer circumcise their baby boys? Set apart families unto Lord - nationalistic sign. True Paul has said circumcisoin of heart is what’s most important and what the OT sign was pointing to in Christ. That Christian baptism now serves that purpose both for Jewish Chrsitian who circumcise and Gentiles that don’t. But listen to Paul - circumcsion and uncircumcsion is nothing Shadow passig way - never required of , but also if ethnic custom - no reason why Jew have to stop doing this. In fact most Reformed man I know , DK professor, all of his boys and ancestors before on 8th day - insists not relgiois but custom adiaphora. Don’t think necessary. but if at this time stumbling block in that time - and they reliaze no salvific value - But no these zealos Jewish bleievers actually spreading lies for effect - we are different, we are better don’t like that Paul guy, don’t need to be one with Gentile bleiveres!
And that brings us to the last accusation that Paul is telling Jewish Christians not to walk according to our customs! Now again there is a half truth here, twisted to divide Christians. Is Paul law-observant? Certainly under law of Christ the moral law of the OT! Paul in Corinth just had a Nazarite type vow of his own. Paul when he took Timothy in on 2nd missionary journey - going to synagogues first - knowing that stumbling block that Timothy’s dad not Jewish , hadn’t been circumcised, he knowing Christ had fulfilled the ritual, nonetheless has Timothy circumcised - didn’t compromise the gospel no teaching or moral issue at stake, but missionary principle - identity with his heritage and witness and speak in synagogue! Paul so ready to keep Jewish customs with Jews, so that he is not a stumbling block, and even tells Gentile believers ought, of love - do some Jewish customs like not eating meat sacrificed to idols, or with blood in it, abstain for sake of weaker brother. And James is quick to point out this in keeping into not requiring Gentile Christians to keep other aspects. V.25
And that leads us to the positives of how we must handle conflict with the gospel that James suggests and Paul immediately agrees to! This is the most controversial part of the text, and where the big change comes. Not absolutely certain Paul did the right thing, and God in facts prevents him from sacrificing in the temple and the door is shut forever for that kind of accommodation. But again pay attention to Paul and James heart here, as well as their strategy!
C. Take Risks to boldly stand with Different Christians
And here you need to know to know about Jewish customs of taking vows and of entering the temple! We’ll look at the temple fist: Court of the Gentiles is the big space around the temple. Not just for Gentiles, but where in those porticoes money traders and sacrifices and even priests have their offices there. Busy place, 4 foot wall of separation around it - And if you were not clean can't go in - A Jew who had been travelling Gentle world, comes back - needs to purify if go through those openings. In late 1800 and in 1935 actually found the signs Josephus spoke about - If Gentile who is unclean unless becomes a Jew - penalty of death. Even Herod who built the temple couldn’t go through. And the Romans also erected these signs in Greek and Latin.
So though the purification offerings as a ritual, no longer necessary to be clean or right ith God, even if before they pointed to Christ, even though reality of Christ’s blood is all that counts, still during this time that Jews Christians still prayed in the temple, - wanted to get in do the ritual … James says, got to do that, as Jew travelling in Gentile lands, first purify yourself - 7 days, water sprinkling and such. Then go with these 4 young and probably poor men in our congregation who taken the traditional Jewish vow, at least 30 says, let there hair grow, then cut it off, burn it as a sacrfice to LORD, Nazarite vow for thankfulness or dedication, seeing guidance. Paul gives notice 7 days before he’s their benefactor, and will come with them on 4th and 7th day for water purification ceremony.
Does that sound a bit familiar very similar to what Paul did at Corinth port town Cen.. before coming. Seems a part of Jewish piety and devotion that not compromising the gospel at this point. Paul isn’t taking the vow with them, but asked to pay for their sacrifices. Common practice for a rich benefactor - sign of love and solidarity to go with them to the temple - and costly animal sacrifices.
And Paul is willing even to do this to show he is for them. And we could ask why? Look at ...
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Do you see how far Paul was willing to go to show that he was for his ethnic brothers and sisters. How far are you willing to go. Would you cross the fellowship hall, not that far, to speak to someone different than you.? Would you do an internet search for Arab or Chinese or Afghan or Turkish Christians find out more about -and be in prayer for, Even give . Will we become not just local Christians, but global ones! Place for denomination, but will we be just denominational Christians or stand with other in Barrie, in Canada? How far would you go to walk with someone who has a different view of how to keep the Lord’s Day or how to worship or a different view of how the End Times are going to happen. Do they know that you are for them and count them a brothers and sisters in Christ first, before the questions of practice and application come up?
Its a tricky thing to really love, and one that sometimes we make mistakes and even cave to pressure - ought not violate doctrine , or moral principles God’ Word and Holy Spirit by our conscience speak. But do we have that love - do you see that motivation here.
Whether it would have been right or not for Paul to enter that temple and participate in animal sacrifices that Christ had fulfilled, in this tranitional time, we will never know. But we do know that the plan worked and Jewish & Gentile Xns remained one. The rest of the Jewish Christians didn’t believe Paul was against Judaism and Moses! But before the sacrifice, God intervened for a greater purpose - we do know had Paul gone into the temple at the end of those seven days - not only would it have disastrous in term of unbelieving Jewish mob killing him, but his witness during one of the busiest most internationals 2 m opportunity to witness would have been compromised. But God used it all.
D. God Protects & Empowers us to Witness through Suffering
Dear friends this is how difference is to be handled in Christ's church - not afraid to call a spade a spade, not let rumours echo without going directly to person it concerns. Look at James and Paul - they are not quick to take offense, nor overwhelmed that differences exist and have to be worked through. These weaker zealous Christians - they may be quick to - but Paul considers them Christians. As Peter would later right - love covers over a multitude of sin. There is a time and commitment Christians make to forbear with one another. Paul discerned this was such a time. Do you?
Think about that for a moment: Don’t use your freedom to cause another to stumble. But this story doesn’t end with trouble within the church, and it is a sad sad thing when we are the only army that shots its own soldiers… they didn’t fall into that trap. Sure there may be time for a Saul and Barnabas parting - we are in faith to follow our conviction on God’s Word - but always in love. And that stands out here - neither James nor Paul, despite the high stakes issues of practices and doctrine - neither is hostile, neither loses it! And we need that because our battle is not with flesh and blood, not at war against each other. Not at war against world beyond these walls, either, and we have to be united to reach out. That’s what Jesus prays in
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one,
That’s what Jesus prays in
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
James and Paul were one. Paul and the Gentile Christians with James and the Jewish Christians, even the zealot ones they were one. And that enabled them to then be one in witness to the world, that came knocking on the door steps of their lives.
And that is how our text and this whole book of Acts will end. It’s neither the Jerusalem Jew zealots, nor the Gentile Jews that are the problem here is it. At this great feast, Jews of the diaspora, from province of Asia. Capital of Roman province now in Turkey is which city Ephesus. Where Paul had preached, they rejected, kicked him out started a riot - it is these Jews who see Paul walking town with other Ephesians who became a Christian a prominent Gentile - Tromphimus - He had come with Paul to representa Gentiles in giiving the gift. And they assume he is in the temple. And with the Spirit of Anti-Christ they are the problem and they raise the Alarm. Men of Israel. Fire… panic. Now the Jews fearing the temple will be desecrated rush Paul out, then mob turns on Paul, fearing there is going to be murder in the Temple, defile it - Slam go the gates in the wall that leads into the Holy Place. Symbolically - temple unusable to show Christ.
And it is that battle for Jew and Gentile alike to bow the knee and receive the Christ - that Paul is thrust into the middle of. And Like 3x before Paul is attacked by Jewish religious community, but saved by Roman officials. And because he’s not in a hissy fit, with division from within the church. Look what Paul is able to do as that Tribune approaches the mob beating Paul - takes them toward the Antonian Fortress have to carry up stairs. Confusion breaks out - He thinks he’s that Egyptian revolutionary and is going to have him punished alright. But Paul with the same calmness and respect, yet confidence with which Jesus spoke to Pilate - turns to Tribune, in charge of the 4 chorots stationed at Caesarea, and now more than a thousand for Feast at Temple. And Paul says:
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?
Stands amazed calm Roman citizen, wants to speak to whole crowd with Roman soldiers in droves in awe. Quiet’s the crowd and able to testify to them all. Remarkable able to - and Herod Agrippa though strange relationship with eldest sister - able to testify to Jesus to all of them.
Now do you remember Paul caling - much to suffer for sake of the name - Apostle to Israel and Gentiles.
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
Big shift in how to do that here. Already mentioned the PEOPLE, LAW, TEMPLE fullfilled in Christ, now Paul before Jew and Gentile alike - in Jersuaelm before all the officials and roman offical, then on to Rome - Testify .
While adiaphora customs remain a bit of an issue, bu 70 AD destruction of temople - so clear no more sacrfices, no more temple, no more poepole of SIrael - show fulfilled in Christ -
See like at hte end of the gospel , temple veil torn - done - NOw end of Acts -
Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
Long time ago - King Agrippa Allistair Begg - heart of it - become like me except the chains - ONE BIG MOVEMENT JEW GENTIE AND EVEN THE COMPROMISED! Now at the point of this transition, no longer Temple, now full on witness through suffering in his trial and chains - and Luke embeds into this teaching that this witness is made possible when find unity of Christ in the midst of any differences , out growing ingrown problems - to witness to the watching world - even through suffering. Find last three witnessing messages: Temple, Felix, Agrippa! This week has been how to handle difference, next week how to witness in the middle of it!
This week has been how to handle difference, next week how to handle persecution as seized…
Long time ago - King Agrippa Allistair Begg - heart of it - become like me except the chains - ONE BIG MOVEMENT JEW GENTIE AND EVEN THE COMPROMISED!> How to handle difference, next week how to handle persecution as seized…