1. The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 21 – Paul Travels To Jerusalem.
(Conclusion of Third Journey)
Sunday – February 24, 2019

2. Elders’ Suggestion To Paul: Acts 21:23ff cf. Num. 6
Consistent application: Acts 21:25, “As touching the Gentiles that have believed” cf. Acts 15:22
Paul had taught. Galatians 5:4; Galatians 2:11ff; Galatians 3:26ff
The Law is fulfilled. Romans 7:4-6; 10:4; cf. Ephesians 2; Colossians 2
Solution: Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 9:20-23
Paul had circumcised Timothy. Acts 16:3
Paul refused to have Titus circumcised. Galatians 2:3

3. Was Paul wrong in entering into this arrangement, which was a specific part of the Law?
(1) Paul himself had previously taken a Jewish vow (Acts 18:18).
(2) Later he unashamedly referred to this incident before Felix (24:17- 18).
(3) This action on Paul's part only confirmed one of the principles of his ministry which was to become like a Jew to win the Jews, and to become like one under the Law to win those under it (1 Corinthians 9:20).
(4) One of Paul's goals for the Jerusalem trip, along with relief of the poor, was the unifying of Jews and Gentiles.
(5) Paul was not denying the finished work of Christ by offering animal sacrifices. The epistles Paul had already written by this time (Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans) make it clear that such a denial was incomprehensible. He must have looked on these sacrifices as memorials.
(6) Paul later asserted he did not violate his own conscience (Acts 23:1)
(Bible Knowledge Commentary)