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ACCUSED AS AN APOSTATE
LORD’S DAY, MARCH 14
Acts 21:17-26

John 9:28-29

 

“…Thou art his disciple;

but we are Moses’ disciples.”

 

ACCUSED AS AN APOSTATE
 
Paul kept to what Moses and the law had prophesied concerning the Messiah to the best of his ability. Yet he was labelled an apostate of the Jewish religion. Strictly speaking, Paul was the most faithful and zealous messenger of the Old Testament prophecies. He was always pointing everyone to the Lord Jesus Christ, the central theme of the Old Testament.
 
Forsaking Moses: The Jews who were converted to Christianity accused Paul of teaching contrary to their belief. It was alleged that Paul taught the people to forsake Moses’ law, eg. the circumcision. The Jews falsely accused him for being an enemy of Moses and an apostate of the Law. These reports reached the ears of the church leaders in Jerusalem. As he was reputed to be of the Jewish rites and customs, he caused many Jewish converts to be offended.
 
Forbidding the law: The Jews, though they had received the gospel, thought that the ceremonial laws still had to be observed. Paul in condescension to their weakness and to prevent their taking offence, and to prove that the accusations against him were groundless, submitted to the advice of the apostles to conform himself to some of the Jewish ceremonies and purifications. Paul knew these were not needful but they were also not unlawful to the Christians. Read what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
 
May we have the heart of Paul to condescend that others may be drawn to Christ. Let us, however, be careful that we do not go against the Scriptures. We must never compromise our faith as laid down in the Bible just to please unbelievers. We can join the wedding receptions or visit the wake of our unbelieving relatives and friends but do not participate in their idolatrous services and practices. Do you?
 
THOUGHT: Am I willing to humble myself for the sake of lost souls?
PRAYER: Father, make my heart beat like Thine, that I too may love the undeserving.

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