When the Apostle Paul reached Jerusalem, ignoring all warnings and directions from God’s Spirit, James, who was head of the Church in Jerusalem, welcomed him without reservation.

(Acts 21:17 KJV)  "And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly."

However, the day following the welcome wagon, James and the others of the Church of Jerusalem brought up the fact that the more conservative among the Jewish converts to Christianity were taking exception to Paul’s teaching on Grace. You see, Paul understood the proper role of the Mosaic Law in the Church Age. The Law existed to make man recognize that he was totally lost:

(1 Timothy 1:6-11 KJV)  "From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; {7} Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. {8} But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; {9} Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, {10} For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; {11} According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust."

Paul knew the reason that God gave the Law. The Law was never given to the righteous, but was given to a disobedient nation (Israel) who had repeatedly rejected the Grace of God which was abundantly shown to that nation by a loving Father. You can see this when you go back and examine the events that led up to the giving of the Law to Israel. God showed His Eternal Grace to Israel through a series of WATER TESTS, situations that revolved around certain amounts of water, and expected Israel to learn from each of these tests. The first test came at the Red Sea, when Israel was in the exodus being chased by Pharaoh and his army:

EXODUS 14.10-30 "And when Pharaoh drew nigh (HIPHEL IMPERFECT QARAB, TO CAUSE TO ADVANCE. THIS WAS A TEST FROM GOD, NOT FROM MAN), the children of Israel lifted up (NASA, QAL IMPERFECT, TO STARE INTENTLY) their eyes and behold, the Egyptians marched (NASAH, QAL ACTIVE, TO BEAR DOWN ON) after them, and they were sore afraid (JARE MEODH, QAL ACTIVE, TO BE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF EXTREME FEAR). and the children of Israel cried out (LITERALLY = SCREAMED IN PANIC) unto the Lord. and they said unto Moses, because there were no graves (EGYPT, A LAND OF THE PYRAMIDS, IS A LAND DOTTED WITH GRAVES) in Egypt, hast thou taken us away (LAQACH, QAL PERFECT, DELIVERED) to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt (QAL PERFECT ASAH MEANS TO BUILD SOMETHING OUT OF SOMETHING. ISRAEL WAS IMPLYING THAT MOSES MANUFACTURED A CONSPIRACY TO GET THEM OUT OF EGYPT) thus with us, to carry us forth out (HIPHEL INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT JATSA, CAUSE TO BE LED OUT) of Egypt? is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, let us alone (QAL IMPERATIVE HABAL, LET US ALONE AS A COMMAND), that we may serve (ABAD, QAL IMPERATIVE, TO BE SLAVES TO) The Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die (MIN + QAL INFINITIVE MUTH, RATHER THAN OUR DYING. THEY HAD ACCEPTED DEATH AS A FACT, RATHER THAN ACCEPTING GOD'S POWER AS A REALITY) in the wilderness. And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not (QAL IMPERATIVE JARE + AU = STOP FEARING), stand still (HIPHPAEL IMPERATIVE JATSAB, STAND FIRM, STAND FAST. ISRAEL WAS NOT TO CUT AND RUN EITHER IN FAITH NOR PHYSICALLY), and see (QAL IMPERATIVE RAAH, TO CONCENTRATE ON WITH THE MIND. ISRAEL WAS TO LEARN AN OBJECT LESSON FROM THIS TRIAL) the salvation  of the Lord, which He will show (QAL IMPERATIVE ASAH, MANUFACTURE SOMETHING OUT OF SOMETHING. MOSES TURNED THE TABLES ON ISRAEL. THEY ACCUSED HIM OF MANUFACTURING A CONSPIRACY, AND HE NOTES THAT GOD WILL MANUFACTURE DELIVERANCE) to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore."

Israel failed the first water test, a test designed to make them look to God’s Grace for provision. What God our Father had promised, that He did. God was not a liar, not an “Indian Giver”, not one Who promised then failed to keep His Word. The Word that God gave was binding not only on Israel, but was also binding on Himself. Israel should have learned this, so that when they came to the second water test they would depend on God and God alone. But they didn’t – they still failed to learn.

(Exodus 15:22-27 KJV)  "So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. {23} And when they came to Marah, (HEBREW WORD MEANING "BITTERNESS") they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. {24} And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? {25} And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, {26} And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. {27} And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters."

Israel failed the first lesson in God’s Grace, so God our Father gave them another lesson at Marah. This area has been identified with either the modern day ‘Ain Hawarah (several miles inland from the Gulf of Suez) or Kadesh. Unlike the first test where there was too much water, at Marah there was only bitter water. The water was capable of sustaining life, and could be drunk, though it was not very tasty. The Israelites completely forgot how God had saved them from too much water at the Red Sea, and began to bitterly complain to Moses and God. Actually, this passage is almost poetic, for the people bitterly complained about the bitter water. How utterly foolish, for by calling on God’s Grace they would be granted every comfort. Yet they were so wrapped up in themselves that they could not even reach out the smallest degree for a relationship with God. The people were NOT saved, NOT in a relationship with their Loving Creator, and would NOT repent.

Nonetheless the Father directed Moses to drop a certain tree in the water and the waters were made sweet. Moses’ actions should have stirred the Israelites to remembrance: Moses held out his staff over the Red Sea and it parted. Moses dropped a staff of wood into the water and it became sweet. God’s Grace was present in both staffs, in both deliverances, in both instances. Trust God.

The Father capped this incident by leading Israel to Elim where there were twelve wells of water, one well for each of the twelve tribes, and seventy palm trees. Seven is a holy number in Scripture, and seventy is a derivative of that number. God was emphasizing that if Israel would trust Him, then they would be blessed beyond measure. They would not share a common well, but each tribe would have its own fount from God, its own blessing. They need only believe.

Yet Israel refused to believe, continuing rather to focus on the immediate rather than the Eternal.

EXODUS 17.1-7 "And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed (NASA, ADVANCED) from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched (QAL IMPERFECT CHANAH, TO BIVOUAC, TO CAMP) in Rephidim (HEB MEANS "THE PLACE OF REFRESHMENT"): and there was no (AJIM, ABSOLUTELY NO) water for the people (TWO MILLION MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN) to drink (QAL INFINITIVE SHATAAH, TO DRINK SO AS TO SUSTAIN LIFE). Wherefore the people did chide (RIBH, COMPLAINED BITTERLY) with Moses, and said (QAL IMPERATIVE AMAR, REPEATEDLY SAID), give us (CAL IMPERATIVE NATHAN, WE DEMAND YOU GIVE (FIG OF REVOLUTION) water that we may drink (QAL IMPERFECT SHATHAH, KEEP ON DRINKING). And Moses said unto them, why (INTERROGATIVE MAH, WHY IN THE WORLD) chide ye with me? Wherefore do ye tempt (PEAL IMPERFECT NASAH, TEST, PROVOKE WITH A TEST) the lord? And the people thirsted (QAL IMPERFECT TSAME, ACUTELY THIRSTED. THIS WAS MENTAL RATHER THAN PHYSICAL) there for water; and the people murmured (QAL IMPERFECT LUN, HABITUALLY COMPLAINED AGAINST) against Moses, and said, wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up (HIPHEL PERFECT ALAH, CAUSED TO BE BROUGHT UP. THEY WERE SAYING THAT MOSES DRUG THE PEOPLE OUT OF EGYPT) out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried (QAL IMPERATIVE TSAAQ, YELLED STRINGENTLY. MOSES HAD TO YELL ABOVE THE SCREAMS OF THE PEOPLE SO THAT GOD COULD HEAR HIM) unto the Lord, saying, what shall I do (ASAH, MANUFACTURE SOMETHING OUT OF SOMETHING) unto this people? They be almost ready to stone (SAQAL, TO STONE TO DEATH) me. And the Lord said unto Moses, go on before (QAL IMPERATIVE ABAR, PASS IN REVIEW, AS BEFORE AN ARMY, PASS IN FRONT OF) the people, and take with (LAQACH, QAL IMPERATIVE, GRAB, TAKE WITH YOU) thee of the elders (ZAQEN, ADMINISTRATORS, SUB LEADERS. THIS INCLUDED THE TWELVE TRIBAL HEADS, THE HIGH PRIEST, AND THE SUB RULERS IN THE TRIBES) of Israel; and thy rod (MATEH, STAFF, CANE, SCEPTER, ROD. WAS A SYMBOL OF DIVINE AUTHORITY, AND WHEN USED WAS ANALOGY TO DIVINE JUDGMENT. THIS SAME ROD WAS USED AT THE RED SEA CROSSING WHEN EGYPT WAS JUDGED), wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go (HALAK, QAL PERFECT, MARCH OUT. MOSES WAS TO GO BEFORE THE PEOPLE WITH HIS HEAD HELD HIGH). Behold ( DEMONSTRATIVE HINEH, LOOK AT ME), I will stand before (AMAD, QAL ACTIVE, STAND BEFORE) thee there upon the rock in Horeb (LOCATED IN THE SINIATIC RANGE. MOSES WAS FIRST HERE WHEN HE SAW THE BURNING BUSH, EXODUS 3.1-3), and thou shalt smite (NAKAH, HIPHIEL STEM, CAUSE TO BE STRUCK) the rock (TSUR, SHARP JAGGED ROCK, SYMBOLIC OF THE CROSS), and there shall come (QAL PERFECT JATSA, TO GUSH OR ROAR OUT) water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called (QAL IMPERFECT QARA, CALLED OR NAMED WITH PERMANENT RESULTS) the name of the place Massah (HEB = TESTING), and Meribah (NOUN FORM OF RIBH, BITTER COMPLAINT), because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord saying, is the Lord among us or not?"

Israel failed the second test. This was not a nation ready for a relationship with the Father, but this was a nation totally engrossed in its own “beauty”, in its own “self-worth”. This was a nation that needed something on paper or stone. Something like a series of Laws, The Law, to show them how utterly destitute their estate was. What a travesty, that a nation would become so destitute of conscience that it would need the Ten Commandments written down on paper! Who does not know, in their innermost being, that it is wrong to do murder, to steal, to have sex with another person's spouse, to lie to one another? Paul said, to the shame of Israel:

(Romans 2:14-15 KJV) "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: {15} Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)"

The Ten Commandments are Laws that should never have been written down - at least, not for a people who claimed to have a relationship with God. Every Gentile nation of prominence in the world knows instinctively that the things written in the Ten Commandments are normative - whether that Law is written down or not. The Chinese, following Taoism, know that the Ten Commandments are normative for society, though the Taoist is truly pagan. No, the Israel who received the Law was not a nation that their fathers Joseph and Abraham would have been proud of – this was a nation of hard headed people who needed the hammer of the Law to wake them up. It is appropriate, then that God gave the Law to Israel – a harsh school master – the hammer of God to break up the stony hearts – in Exodus 20, just a short time from this last failure of Israel.

God justified Abraham by faith, not by the Law. Moses was justified by faith, not by the Law. In fact, in every instance, in every instance  where righteousness is mentioned, righteousness always comes to sinful man by the Grace of God, and by our faith in that gracious provision. 

(Romans 3:21-31 KJV)  "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; {22} Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: {23} For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; {24} Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: {25} Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; {26} To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. {27} Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. {28} Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. {29} Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: {30} Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. {31} Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."

The Law was ONLY a schoolmaster to leads us to Christ. The Law does not bring man into spirituality, for even unbelievers can keep portions of the Law. In fact, if unbelievers do not keep at least the Basic Ten Commandments, then civilization is impossible! Certain portions of the Mosaic Law maintain order in the land. In fact, portions of the Mosaic Law were adopted into our common United States Penal Code and into the common Laws of all other civilized nations - though these tenets may not actively be recognized as "the Ten Commandments". Even the most godless Communist or Marxist will declare that murder - one of the basic "Thou Shalt Nots" of the Ten Commandments - is an evil that normal society cannot condone. Stealing, killing, rape – many of the laws forbidding such fruitless actions are found mirrored in universal governmental law. The Law, though it cannot save, can and does (1) point out our human need of the Grace of God, and (2) maintain order in any society.

The Law was given to Israel, not to save her, but to WAKE HER UP. The Law was not given to promote individual righteousness, but to show that we are all unrighteous in ourselves, that we all need the salvation of the Lord. Israel took the Law which God gave as a schoolmaster and embraced that Law almost to the point of idolatry. When  Paul – a convert and an Apostle of Jesus – preached that the Law was a schoolmaster and that we are now under the Grace of God - many in the newly formed Church at Jerusalem felt that he went too far. After all, Israel had become entrenched in the Law, and even the new converts to Christ still followed the old, now no longer needed, directions of the schoolmaster. When Paul came to town the elders of the Church at Jerusalem met him with open arms. Even so, they informed Paul that he would not be well received UNLESS the “Jewish Church” saw that he didn’t abrogate the Law entirely.

(Acts 21:20-21 KJV)  "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: (these people were zealous of the Law, not for Christ nor spirituality. This was a tremendous infiltration of Judaizers who taught that you must keep the Law to be saved) {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."

This is a problem that every Pastor is faced with throughout his calling: how far do I follow my Creator? Do I support the teachings of the Word of God without compromise, and teach them as they are written, or do I compromise so as to grab a greater audience? Many pastors and leaders within our present day Church have fallen into the same trap that grabbed the great Apostle. "Why not compromise, and in so doing lead them to the truth". Sadly, though, this does not often work - as the prevalent racism and money mongering in many of our local Churches attests. Local Churches, which should not be "respecters of persons", have remained predominantly single raced within America. Though few Churches are so arrogant as to publicly refuse to admit people of other color, most flocks actively shun those who do not "get in step" with their racial weapon of choice. The same is true of the money mongering, where Churches force Pastors to resign when the weekly offering drops - and then go out and find another Pastor who will entertain rather than educate them.

Paul was in such a predicament. Vow a vow in the Temple, show the Judaizers how you are still a "team player", or suffer the consequences. Some have justified Paul’s compromise in vowing a vow in the Temple as a Biblical principle of:

(1 Corinthians 9:22 KJV)  "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."

Becoming all things to all men, so as to win them to Christ. Yet this is comparing apples with oranges. Our Lord Jesus sat and ate with wine bibbers, tax collectors, and tavern owners in order to preach the Gospel to them, but He never lowered Himself into the sewer along with those He preached to. Perhaps Paul initially had the Biblical principle of identifying with the sinner in mind when he first agreed to vow the vow in the Temple. Even so, when do we ever, as ministers of the Gospel, lower ourselves in the sewer to make our message more acceptable to the sewer rats? When we are in a congregation full of bigots, when someone comes to us and says, “Preacher, I don’t want THOSE people in our congregation, and I won’t support you if they continue to come”, does the preacher agree to keep the peace? Do we say, “Of course, Sister, I’ll keep those people out of here, I’ll keep that kind of people out of here, I’ll keep those different colored out of here”. The reason that we have so many problems in the Church of Christ today is because Pastors and ministers have compromised His Word in order to keep peace within the flock. God never taught that we should be drunkards in order to reach the drunkard, nor should we become sexual hedonists in order to reach that crowd. We MUST not become bigots to reach bigots for Christ, and Paul should not have lowered himself to vow a vow – contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ our Lord –

(Matthew 5:33-37 KJV)  "Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: {34} But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: {35} Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. {36} Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. {37} But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

We who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior are now beyond the Law into a greater Law of the Spirit. We do not vow vows unto God, but we have a relationship with the Heavenly Father. We do not lower ourselves back to the Law that was given to a impenitent Israel, but we follow the leading of God the Holy Spirit in newness of life.

Paul stepped out of line when he went to Jerusalem to preach and now, based on a recommendation from James and the legalistic elders of the Church at Jerusalem, he compounds his error. He now seeks to become “politically correct” in order to gain an audience.

(Acts 21:22 KJV)  "What is it therefore? (classical Greek idiom, Ti oun esten, “what shall we do about this?” ) the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come." (the solution to the problem was “how about compromising, Paul? Why not take a vow like a good Jew would do?”)

(Acts 21:23 KJV)  "Do (2^nd Person Singular, Aorist Active Imperative, poieo, you will do, very strong emphasis. You, Paul, do exactly as we say to do. Here the great Apostle bowed down to man and did as man wanted. No Bible teacher ever compromises doctrine in order to gain a hearing – God will provide the hearers) therefore this that we say to thee: (Paul will listen to man rather than God here) We have four men which have a vow on them;"(Paul will take a Nazarite vow, compromising the Word of God in order to get a message to these people – a message they will never receive)

(Acts 21:24 KJV)  "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."

Paul was ordered to take the vow of the Nazarite along with four other men, per Mosaic Law:

(Numbers 6:18-21 KJV)  "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. {19} And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven: {20} And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine. {21} This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, and of his offering unto the LORD for his separation, beside that that his hand shall get: according to the vow which he vowed, so he must do after the law of his separation."

to prove that he really “meant no harm” when he preached the Grace of God. Did you catch that? He was ordered by the elders at Jerusalem to take this vow. The elders were in sin themselves, for they had NO AUTHORITY to order Paul - a hand picked Apostle of Jesus Christ - to take a vow. Even under the Law the taking of a vow was entirely voluntary: you either took it of your own free will, or you did not take it of your own free will. The Law stated:

(Deuteronomy 23:21-23 KJV)  "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. {22} But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. {23} That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth."

That IF you wanted to vow a vow, and you vowed it, then you had to keep it … but if you did not want to vow a vow, then you were not condemned for not doing it. This was a free will decision between you and your Maker. Yet Paul was out of fellowship with God at this point. He had gone to Jerusalem though he had been warned against going many times. The elders at the Church of Jerusalem were out of fellowship, for they condoned a hybrid of Christianity – a mixture of the Law and Grace – that the Lord Jesus Christ never approved. Rather than help the newly converted Jews turn from the Law toward Grace they “went with the flow” in order to keep the peace, and ordered Paul to “vow a vow”, something no priest or leader in Israel had the right to do under the very Law they worshipped.

This would, the elders reasoned, make Paul more palatable to the Church at Jerusalem. Paul, because of his great love for his fellow Israelites, compromised the truths that God had taught him, that he had written about in his Church epistles, that he had lived by and decided to vow a vow before the Church  in order to placate the people and receive a hearing.

(Acts 21:25 KJV)  "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."

(Galatians 3:27-29 KJV)  "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. {28} There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. {29} And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Listen Beloved: as humans we often make bad decisions that have a negative impact on our lives, sometimes a negative long lasting impact. Paul was no different. He knew better than what the elders of Jerusalem were telling him. He knew that in the Church of Christ there is NO JEWISH CHURCH and NO GENTILE CHURCH, but that we are all one in Christ Jesus. We are all children of the Promise, Abraham’s seed. The days of circumcision and the Law are past, for now we have our relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ our Savior.

Paul fell, for he compromised the truths that God the Spirit showed him. He was not sinless, as many portray him. And though he was a great man of God, only One was and is sinless in the flesh, and that One was Jesus Christ. All others – I, you, even Paul, we must rely on the sacrifice of the Son of God to restore us to fellowship with the Father when we fall. Paul fell, and the fall was even greater because his fall led the Judaizers in Jerusalem to believe that they were perfectly justified in forcing the Mosaic Law on believers. Paul, like Aaron who danced with the revelers around the golden calf, danced around the Law, vowing a vow with four other misled believers. His intentions were right. His motivation was right. But he was wrong to do so, wrong to compromise even one bit – for this compromise would be both ineffective and costly for the Great Apostle.