We continue following Paul’s journey. He has decided to return to Jerusalem despite the pleas of the local congregations and prophesies that he would be arrested and could be killed. Paul believed that he was preaching the word of Jesus and His will be done, so he set out, mainly by sea, to return to Jerusalem. Although the local Elders were pleased with how many people had been converted, they were concerned that the Asian Jews believed that Paul was encouraging Jews who lived with the Gentiles to abandon the laws of Moses. This was not accurate. He was teaching a new understanding of God which Jesus came to reveal and he also preached to the Gentiles who had no background of Jewish tradition. The Elders encouraged Paul to prove that the reports were inaccurate by sponsoring and joining with men who were going through the purification rituals. Paul did this, but it must had been particularly galling since his emphasis was preaching about a personal relationship with God through Jesus, taking precedence over the traditional rituals. Paul understood that his mission of growing the church was best served by accomodating, not alienating, those who held to traditional practices and did not immediately align with Paul’s views. I think that there is a great message here for our Uniting church and for individuals who will only accommodate congregations who align with their views of liturgy, music, preaching styles and they put that ahead of the unity in having a heart for Christ. Unfortunately, Paul was lynched anyway but saved from being killed by the Roman garrison. Even in this he saw a chance to preach his message and asked to address the crowd. With a wave of his hand the crowd fell silent. This is remarkable. A rabble fell silent. Surely this is a miracle which shows that when Paul was delivering God’s message, God did not abandon him but enabled him to do so. This is a powerful message to us; even in the toughest of situations God is with us. - Ian Olver
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