Politics & Religion

16 POLITICS & RELIGION (Acts 21:18 – 23:35)
The future of the gospel was at stake, as powerful forces raged for and against it. On the one hand, the Jewish persecutors were prejudiced and violent. On the other hand, the Romans were open-minded and went out of their way to maintain the standards of law, justice and order of which their best leaders were understandably proud.
Between these two powers, religious and civil, hostile and friendly, Jerusalem and Rome, Paul found himself trapped, unarmed and totally vulnerable. One cannot help admiring his courage, especially when he stood on the steps of Fortress Antonia, facing an angry crowd which had just severely manhandled him, with no power but the Word and the Spirit of God. The source of his courage was his serene confidence in the truth. And he knew that his Lord and Savior was with him and would keep his promise that he would bear witness someday, somehow, in Rome.
Summary: We have already seen Paul’s conciliatory spirit in accepting the Jerusalem decrees and circumcising Timothy. Now, in the same tolerant spirit, he was prepared to undergo some purification rituals in order to pacify Jewish scruples. James seems to have gone too far in expecting Paul to live “in obedience to the law” in all matters and at all times, if that was what he meant (21:24). But Paul was certainly ready to do so for the sake of Jewish-Gentile solidarity. According to Paul’s conviction, Jewish cultural practices belonged to the “matters indifferent,” from which he had been liberated, but which he might or might not himself practice according to the circumstances.
James manifested a similarly sweet and generous mind both by praising God for the Gentile mission and by accepting the offering from the Gentile churches. The unbending prejudice and fanatical violence of the unbelieving Jews, which Luke now describes, stands out in ugly contrast to the cooperation between Paul and James.
The Jews misunderstood both Stephen and Paul, just as they had misunderstood Jesus. Jesus spoke of himself as the fulfillment of the temple, the people and the law, and Stephen and Paul followed suit. This was not to denigrate them, however, but to reveal their true glory.
Gentiles were permitted to enter only the outer court, the Court of the Gentiles. According to Josephus, beyond this, and preventing access into the Court of Israel, there was “a stone wall for a partition,” four and a half feet high, “with an inscription which forbade any foreigner to go in under pain of death.” The Roman government had given the Jews permission to kill any non-Jews who went beyond the barricade, even Roman citizens. Paul was surely thinking of this barrier when he wrote of “the dividing wall of hostility” between Jews and Gentiles.
In 22:22 Paul is interrupted by the crowd, who demanded his death. In the eyes of Jews proselytism (making Gentiles into Jews) was fine; but evangelism (making Gentiles into Christians without first making them Jews) was an abomination. It was tantamount to saying that Jews and Gentiles were equal, for they both needed to come to God through Christ and that on identical terms.
Open
What examples of religious and political conflict throughout the world do you know of?
Study
1. Read Acts 21:18-26. Paul and his companions have been received warmly at Jerusalem. In your own words, describe the interaction between Paul and James.
2. To what extent were both men willing to go for the sake of Jewish-Gentile solidarity?
3. Though they were willing to make concessions when it came to cultural and traditional practice was there any difference between them doctrinally and ethically? Explain.
4. How willing are you, would you say, to compromise on the nonessentials of the faith for the purpose of solidarity with your Christian brothers and sisters?
5. Read Acts 21:27-36. What two accusations are made against Paul by the angry crowd?
6. How were these accusations both inaccurate and ironical?
7. Read Acts 21:37 – 22:29. In what ways did Paul demonstrate sensitivity to the crowd as he boldly made his speech of defense?
8. How do Roman law and justice come to Paul’s aid (22:24-29)?
9. Read Acts 22:30 – 23:35. Ananias ordered Paul to be struck in the mouth when he said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day” (23:1-2). What was Paul claiming about himself?
10. How does your own purpose in life compare with Paul’s statement?
11. What is the source of the conflict between the Sadducees and the Pharisees (23:6-10)?
12. What effect do you think the Lord’s appearance and message had on Paul as you consider what he had been through and what he had yet to face?
13. How do you see God continuing to protect Paul in 23:12-35?
Apply
In what ways are you like and unlike Paul in your response when you are falsely accused? In what ways would you like to emulate Paul in your commitment to the gospel of Christ? What do you need for this to happen?
PrayAsk God to help you to listen long and hard before you speak to those you disagree with, both Christians and others.