https://youtu.be/kI6q6oxSVeg
“The Debt I Owe”
Acts 21:15-36 NKJV
James was the recognized leader of the Jerusalem church. Paul is coming under his authority giving him a detail account of his missionary efforts.
We find out in ch. 24 that Paul had brought a collection for the Jerusalem church, as a sign of unity
James tells Paul of the rumors of him and how it has produced hostility in the Jewish people, and so he offers a solution- purify himself according to Jewish custom
Paul, submitting to James’ authority, thought it a good thing to become like the Jewish believers in order to bring unity among the gentile and the Jewish converts.
What exactly was James concern?
1.It was not a salvation issue, both men agreed that salvation was in Jesus alone and not in the keeping of the law, but for matters that were not sin; it was a means of unity
It was not about Paul teaching that circumcision was not necessary for salvation, but about what Paul was teaching the Jews who live among the gentiles
it was not about the moral law, but about Jewish customs
In a word, should Jewish believers continue to observe Jewish cultural practices? Cultural practices were a nonissue if one believes they are saved by grace.
EX: There is a long history of church tradition. It is a nonissue to say the Lord’s prayer or recite the Apostles Creed, as long as one does not believe that those things are what saves you. Advent, etc. these are customs and traditions
Paul agrees to shaving his head, as a Nazirite vow and purify himself in the temple:
join four others in purification rites
Paul should pay their expenses
Paul submitted to James authority- there was an agreement in doctrine and ethically, but a concession in the area of practice.
The purification ritual fell under “matters indifferent” and a truly emancipated spirit such as Paul’s is not in bondage to its own emancipation.
It was not a quid pro quo, but a sensitive mutual Christian forbearance for the sake of unity
Paul then is accused falsely by the Jews ironically, that this should be the charge against Paul at a time when he himself is undergoing purification so that he would not defile the temple.
The question then is: why would Paul put himself through all this agony?
Paul was a debtor.
Romans 1:14 “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
What does it mean to you?
v.19 Paul reported what God had done through his ministry to the gentiles- not what Paul had done with God’s help.
Did you know that the apostle Paul changed his own name? (Paul being the Roman counter part for Saul) Saul was a regal name meaning “asked for”; Paul means “little one”
Paul never wanted to get the glory for himself, but all glory was for Jesus.
Galatians 2:20 New King James Version (NKJV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Can you say this? Can you say that Christ has taken over and He lives in and through you? That you have been crucified and died to all your own ways, thoughts and desires? Have you given up your right to your own self will and independence?
Whether or not you have died to your self, will show who you give credit to-
It begs the question, do you take credit for things? Or do you give credit to the Lord? It is the difference of “look what I have done” v.