As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled and from fornication. . His message in full is recorded in the following chapter. Luke Johnson writes: Like that earlier delegation, this one is welcomed gladly by the brothers (15:4). To offer a sacrifice redemptively would have been wrong; but there is no proof that such was Pauls intention. Vote Up However, we shouldnt assume Luke left Judea. The multitude followed, crying, away with him. This reminds us of the cry against Jesus Christ. . Paul was a Jew and was entitled to pass beyond the dividing wall into the inner courts. In every way available to him, Luke signals that Pauls arrival is one welcomed by the Jerusalem leadership; they and Paul are in fundamental agreement. Report, November 23 2019 When the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, crying out, Men of Israel, help: this is the man, that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hash polluted this holy place. However, since he recently had been in Gentile territory, he would be viewed as ceremonially unclean, hence would need to purify himself in order to partake with the others (Simon Kistemaker, Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990, p. 760). However, if he had just returned from residence among Gentiles (as Paul had), he would be considered as defiled. The language of the oracle once more conforms Paul to the image of the prophet Jesus onhisjourney to Jerusalem: Agabus declares that Paul, too, will be handed over and into the power of the Gentiles, which makes his prophecy remarkably close to the passion predictions of Jesus (9:44; 18:32). that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. when he was come unto us, he took Pauls girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver. The us referred to Luke and the delegates from the Gentile churches who had brought the relief fund to the mother church. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place (21:28). Tools. Acts 21:18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. Who said, canst thou speak Greek? How did sprinkling an unclean person with the ashes of an "heifer" provide sanctifying and purifying of the flesh? The Holy Spirit seemed to be expressing a neutral position regarding whether he should or should not go to Jerusalem. From prosphero; presentation; concretely, an oblation or sacrifice. After leaving Miletus, the ship sailed south to the island of Cos, where it anchored for the night. Pauls trouble was caused by a mob of unconverted Jews, instigated by Diaspora Jews from Asia. The death penalty was applicable only to a Gentile who had violated the ban. The suggested strategy by the church elders to have Paul take part in the purification rites had backfired. How did Lucifer get his inclination to become prideful and act on his desire to sin? They grabbed him. The problem to be solved was Pauls negative image, that he had supposedly taught Jews (not Gentiles) to turn away from Moses (21:21), and its impact on the church. He thought that if Paul had entertained a clearer perception of the abolition of the law, he would not have done what he did here especially later on, after writing the books of Ephesians and Hebrews (he assumes Paul wrote the latter). /Cleanliness in the Bible and see if we can date set by Days of Purification between point A to point Z by looping Days of Purification to our time line . . Agabus had appeared in Lukes account when he prophesied of a severe famine that would eventually touch much of the Roman world (11:27-28). Pauls offering would not have been for a sin sacrifice but would have been a PEACE offering and a wave offering. All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED. Here was the problem: a report had been circulated widely that Paul went about constantly teaching that Jews, especially those who lived in Gentile lands, should forsake, (apostasia cf. What did the manger for baby Jesus look like, and symbolize? Paul Arrested. Gently, the Jerusalem brethren explained to Paul that thousands of Jews had believed, i.e., they had been converted to Christ. That he had such citizenship will come out only later (22:25). get to know the Bible better! Their prayers were answered. This refers back to his appointment along with six others to take care of the Hellenistic Jewish widows in the Jerusalem church (6:1-6). Though James and the brethren did not agree with the assessment that Paul radically opposed the law, they felt the matter needed remedy in some fashion. The Lord saw to it that Paul did not remain in the Jerusalem temple until an offering was offered for him. (1 John 4:10), How could someone take an oath and be "unaware of it"? Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them (Acts 21:26). Asked April 29 2019 (They were in Jerusalem for Pentecost, as in 2:5.) He simply became a Jew in order to win the Jews. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law; and they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after their customs. for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. The entire precincts of the Temple. We as readers of Acts already know the accusation is false. One argument used by those who try to say that the law has not passed is to show where Paul purified himself in the temple. Each (of more than two), every one. NKJV - Then Paul took the men Agreeably to the advice which he had received from James and the elders. the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all, this I do for the gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with. Read the Bible; Reading Plans; Advanced Search; Available Versions; Audio Bibles; Study Tools . Either of those who had accepted Christ as their Messiah or those that had not. Orr, James, M.A., D.D. In this study I look at how Jesus could forgive sins yet not be God. In particular, for Paul to participate by: a. Paul agreed to the suggestion. The most popular Bible verses from Acts 21 Found 40 Verses Acts 21:22 Bible Rank: 3,349. Your donation gift(s) are very much appreciated and may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. Why did Paul purify himself at the Temple? 27 The seven days of purification were almost completed when some Jews from Asia recognized . Is it wrong to use our own supplies or money to advance Jesus mission? McGarvey contended that the apostles understanding was limited at this point New Commentary on Acts of Apostles, 1892 Reprint, Delight, AR: Gospel Light, II, p. 208). The charter still stood, with the exceptions set down at the conference. As Paul was led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, may I speak unto thee? 4 occurrences in 23 translations, Old Testament (2), Leviticus (2), New Testament (2), Luke (1), Acts (1). (Leviticus 5:4). Philip was apparently living in Caesarea, possibly throughout those two decades. 2023 Fortify Your Faith Foundation. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into . NET Bible copyright 1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. And all the city was moved and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut (Acts 21:27-30). 27The seven days of purification were almost completed when some Jews from Asia recognized Paul in the temple. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together. Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? The Acts of the Apostles From Jerusalem to Rome, 1 Peter 1:22 You Have Purified Your Souls, The Law of Moses: Some Metaphors Considered, An Instructive Episode in the Ministry of Paul, Some Character Traits of Paul, the Apostle. Its a logical conclusion, although even if Paul did keep the law, he was an Israelite Pharisee after all, albeit a non practicing Pharisee at the point of Acts 21:26, it would still not actually prove that Paul did not teach against the law. The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Paul greeted the brethren and then, item-by-item, rehearsed (imperfect tense the narration took a while!) The title the Seven was complementary to the Twelve, and perhaps they had a special ministry to Hellenistic Christian Jews. Like the earlier delegation as well, this one relates what God had done (15:4, 12). And they entered the temple to give notice when the days of purification (the ending of each vow) would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented . Paul and his company tarried seven days with these disciples at Tyre, who said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). After silencing them he spoke in the Hebrew tongue. Seclusion for 66 Days. Paul was not partaking in the full ritual only the final part. He must have also been aware that the relief fund was a major reason for Paul coming to Jerusalem. (Teaching the Gentiles to do so was not the issue here.) Fare ye well. Jesus was not baptised through need but to fulfill righteousness. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. Perhaps the elders had heard about what amounted to Pauls departure from the agreement. The ritual was only meant for those wishing to become Nazarites and wasnt performed by the vast majority of Jews. 1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. Acts 21- 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them" (Acts 21:18-26). He was already clean through Christ. 1915. These words from the lips of the Spirit bound apostle seemed to settle the question which was in the minds of his co-workers and the other disciples. Philip was called an evangelist (21:8). In any case, in another situation at Lystra Paul apparently had been stoned into insensibility, but was still able to get up and go into the city (14:14). This question being settled, Pauls company took up their luggage and went with him unto Jerusalem. When the seven days were about over, some unconverted Jews from the province of Asia spotted Paul in the temple (21:27). He, she, it, they, them, same. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Paul appeared to have a choice about the matter. he will not be dissuaded from going thither. Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from thingsoffered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Paul may have thought that Judaizers in the church would now claim that he and James had gone back on their agreement. (The mob said Paul had brought Greeks into the temple, that is, more than one. The complete notice reads: No foreigner is to enter within the balustrade and embankment around the sanctuary. The Jews seized Paul and began shouting, Help us! A series of four treatments was performed at 14-day intervals in both groups. Luke Johnson writes. Numbers 6:18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. James and the elders recognized that Gods direction had been present in Pauls work, and Luke wanted to point this up. Bibliography Information He wanted reassurances that if he participated in the purification rites and vow this would not be interpreted as the churchs rejecting the prior agreement. The next day the ship sailed southwest to the island of Rhodes. The shout was similar to that which greeted Jesus in about the same spot over a quarter of a century earlier (Luke 23:18;John 19:15). The elders approached Paul with a request regarding these four individuals. From hagnos; to make clean, i.e. It does not appear, therefore, that this episode can be explained upon the basis of the apostles limited knowledge. The Romans even allowed the Sanhedrin to execute the death penalty for anyone who violated this regulation, something that Josephus (Antiquities15:417;Wars6:124-126) and Philo (Embassy to Gaius212) both mention. We respectfully offer the following general observations on this position. Acts 21:22 What is it therefore? But since Paul had been accused of defiling the holy temple, the mob was not interested in discussing the finer points of the law. The entire churchmen, women and childrenaccompanied Paul from the city to the coastal port area. The third we section ends here (21:17-18). We have already been told in Acts that Paul does not teach against the Jewish Torah in and of itself. For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). When they arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received them gladly (Acts 21:15-17). Perhaps by doing so he hoped to get at the reason why Paul had been attacked by the Jews. oremus Bible Browser : Acts 21 3. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. We have a new and better covenant that is not guided or ruled over by the traditions of man. Paul here was underscoring his loyalty to the Roman Empire. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. Less than $5/mo! A male human being; a man, husband. under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. religious corporation as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. It began with 3,000 on Pentecost (2:41), increased to 5,000 (4:4), to which were added more converts (6:7). Jesus allowed himself to be baptised for the remission of sins, even though he had none and had zero need to be baptised of John, but for the sake of his mission. Earlier, the disciples at Tyre had also strongly urged Paul not to go (21:4). Ablution of the person and of the clothes was required in the cases mentioned in ( Leviticus 15:18 ; Leviticus 11:25 Leviticus 11:40 ; Leviticus 15:18 Leviticus 15:17 ) In cases of childbirth the sacrifice was increased to a lamb of the first year, with a pigeon or turtle-dove. Here is Lukes record of the incident in question. Over the seven-day period of his purification in the temple (verse 27) Paul attracts the attention of some 'Jews from Asia', who presumably visit Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost, . But Luke is not troubled by such discrepancies; he does not see prophecy as being an exact picture, but as a general prediction of the outcome: Paul ends up being imprisoned by the Gentiles. Study Materials to help with your Bible study, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7zBKawK9iRYdUgxIiIbZJg. There is nothing in the text to indicate that Paul needed to perform this ritual. Why did Paul leave Trophimus, a 7-year companion, sick and not heal him? They had no intention of going back on their previous ruling. This was the fifth (and final) time Paul had visited the city since he left on his journey of persecution for Damascus (9:1ff). Samson was a Nazarite for a lifetime, not just for seven days like Paul (Acts 21:27). Paul began his defense in Aramaic, which caused the crowd to be even more attentive (21:40). While the church leaders received Paul and his delegation warmly (21:17), many Jerusalem disciples apparently still had some doubts about him. There may be a third reason why the elders repeated the four prohibitions stated in Acts 15. The seven days of purification were almost completed when some Jews from Asia recognized Paul in the temple. Eventually, though, they got around to telling the great apostle about a problem they felt was serious. touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written, concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from. The multitudes in Jerusalem who were in Christ remained devoted to the law that Paul was clearly preaching against. They repeated the four stipulations to emphasize that, as far as they were concerned, the stipulations were still valid. This is why he could honestly say neither count I my life dear unto myself.. Allusions to this rite are found in Psalms 26:6 ; 51:7 ; Ezekiel 36:25 ; Hebrews 10:22 . (ceremonial) purification. Join us in the auditorium for a time of worship and praise to our God and Savior and hear a clear message from Gods Word. the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation, the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put. It was a time of wonderful rejoicing. As Jesus himself attested to when he said that Moses wrote of him. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. With some minor adaptation, we will introduce the follow material from our commentary, The Acts of the Apostles From Jerusalem to Rome. 2:22), even though the act of bearing a child is not sinful. Isaiah walked about naked and barefoot to demonstrate how the Assyrians would humiliate the Egyptians and take them captive (20:2-4). A church in Tyre had probably been established by the Christian Hellenists who had been forced to flee Jerusalem after Stephen was martyred (11:19). Perhaps that is framing the question in the wrong terms. According to Josephus, he led some 30,000 followers to the Mount of Olives in order to overthrow Jerusalem (Wars2:261-262;Antiquities20:169-172. . The research was done in the mid 1990s, but all articles were edited in 2012 by Michael Morrison, PhD, professor of Biblical Studies at Grace Communion Seminary. The commander of the Roman troops quickly heard about the rioting. Lord Jesus Christ what mean ye to weep and to break mine heart telling the great about! Paul greeted the brethren and Then, item-by-item, rehearsed ( imperfect the! Donation gift ( s ) are very much appreciated and may qualify as a charitable for. About a problem they felt was serious Studies Press, L.L.C some Jews from Asia recognized a they!, if he had such citizenship will come out only later ( 22:25 ) as readers of already! Under section 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) of the Roman troops heard! 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