"What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come. So do what we tell you." Acts 21:22
Paul is first and foremost a servant of the Lord. Even though he is outspoken, evangelical, and doctrinally correct, he would so what is right and best when given wise counsel. Here is the scenario in a nutshell. He is advising new Jewish believers to be free from the Law, free from circumcising their children and following most of the other customs. The Jerusalem Jews who believe in Jesus as their Messiah are still doing these things. James (half brother of Jesus) and the other elders advise Paul to sponsor four men who have taken a vow and to join them in purification rights. They were shaving their heads and Paul had had Timothy circumcised to appease the legalists. Now it is on him to show some sensitivity to traditional Jews and participate in a custom that will not be doctrinally inappropriate. He doesn’t get high and mighty, he doesn’t argue, he doesn’t defend his fervor, he just takes counsel and obeys. What an example! Eventually new Christianity pulls away from Judaism because of the most important issues of Christian deity, atonement and resurrection. Paul’s obedience helped out to create a distraction so the crucial points of departure could be clear. Paul didn’t have to this, but he did. Would you do what you don’t have to do to be a better witness? I advise this those who take counsel, and especially when it is those who give it.
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