When the apostle PAUL completed his third missionary journey, he traveled to Jerusalem with offerings collected from the Gentile ecclesias in Asia, Greece and Macedonia (Acts 24:17). The day after his arrival he met with James and the elders of the ecclesia who glorified God upon hearing of the response of the Gentiles (Acts 21:18-20).
The Jerusalem ecclesia
Significant progress had also been made among the Jews at Jerusalem as thousands of them had become Christians. There was a problem, however, because many of them were still attached to the ordinances of the Law of Moses (Acts 21:20-22). While following these customs was not in itself wrong, it was wrong to rely on keeping them as a means of establishing one’s personal righteousness. Such an attitude was in direct conflict with the doctrine of grace through Christ. Furthermore, it was wrong to teach Gentile converts that obeying the ordinances of the Law was still mandatory.
Many Christian Jews had become adversaries of Paul as demonstrated by their activities among the newly converted Gentiles. Paul anticipated they would be waiting for him at Jerusalem where they had much support in the ecclesia. While the presence of opposition would be no surprise, what probably surprised the apostle was the willingness of the apostles and elders to avoid provoking this element of the brotherhood. The ecclesial leaders also wanted to avoid unnecessary confrontation with the unconverted Jews (Acts 21:20-25).
Paul’s motives
In a spirit of cooperation, Paul agreed to a plan designed to avoid confrontation. To us, this may look like a surprising compromise of principle. We need to remember, however, that he had come to Jerusalem determined “to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). This objective could only be accomplished by adhering to the protocol of the apostles and elders. Unnecessary agitation of the ecclesia or of the unconverted Jews would only shut their ears to his expositions.
Full circle
Paul had developed from being a zealous adherent of the Law and persecutor of the believers, to being a devout believer and the foremost apostle to the Gentiles. He felt compelled to testify of all this to his nation, even though he knew it would lead to bonds, imprisonment and perhaps death.
There is here an instructive situation for ourselves. Paul could not foresee how circumstances would develop, therefore he yielded to events as they occurred. When the opportunity arose, he seized the moment to give the testimony recorded in Acts 22:1-21.
Paul in the temple
Accompanied by four other men, Paul went into the temple. While there, Paul was spotted by certain Jews from Asia; he was seized by them as they cried out, “Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place” (21:26-29).
Responding to this alarm, a great crowd gathered; and drawing Paul out of the temple, they attempted to kill him. Hearing of the riot, the captain of the Roman guard immediately sent soldiers to restore order. When the captain himself arrived, Paul was bound with chains and transported toward the castle area of the temple (21:30-36). In the process, Paul identified himself as a citizen and sought permission to speak to the people.
Paul addresses the people
As Paul began to address the people in Hebrew, they became very attentive. He reviewed his conversion and selection by God to be an apostle to the Gentiles. As soon as they heard “Gentiles,” the people resumed their riotous clamor crying out, “Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live” (22:1-22).
Seeing this new outburst, the captain ordered Paul taken to the tower of Antonia, situated at the northwest corner of the temple, where he intended to examine him by scourging. The soldiers were in the process of binding Paul when he again let them know he was a Roman citizen. What they were about to do was illegal. As soon as he learned Paul’s status, the captain, fearing for his actions, stopped the process and arranged a proper hearing the next day.
Paul before the council
The chief priests and the Jewish council convened and Paul was set before them to explain his actions and his views. He had no sooner begun when the high priest ordered him unjustly smitten.
Angered by this injustice, Paul responded: “God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?” (23:1-3). Evidently, Paul was not aware his antagonist was the high priest for, upon being made aware of the situation, he apologizes for his remark. It is interesting, however, that Ananias was executed by the Romans in A.D. 70. God did truly smite him.
Paul’s strategy
When Paul observed the makeup of the assembly, he saw an opportunity to exploit a long-standing animosity between the Pharisees and Sadducee’s. He cried out, “I am a Pharisee: the son of a Pharisee, of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question” (23:6).
This sparked such a fierce dissension between the two sides that the chief captain again found it necessary to intervene to restore order. Seeing that reasonable discussion was hopeless, the captain returned Paul to the castle.
That night, Paul received needed direction and reassurance. He would see Rome, for the Lord appeared to him and declared: “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness at Rome also” (23:11). From this point on, no matter how dark circumstances might appear, Paul knew that eventually he would get to Rome.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One