Customs Violated 02/16/2024
Daily Devotions: by Christina FarrisActs 21:17-40 KJV
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
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.
20 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:
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.
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
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.
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 things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
26 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.
27 And 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,
28 Crying 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.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 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.
31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Are your customs the same as others. Some declare a fast before Easter Week, some Christians go to church service for ash Wednesday, some light candles. Ever group has their own customs thay are special to them but it does not change the truth of God's Holy Word.
Paul was not anti the laws of Moses and though he prostylete all that followed him into the Temple, he eas accused of not teaching Jewish law or the tradirions of the Temple.
Paul taught gentiles and spoke to both Jew, Gentile(Romans, Greeks, other nations about God and Christ). Paul spoke of the laws in the language of love in the sense of loving God and others. Though he did teach or speak of Moses through out is letters both Old and New Testament of our Bible today. Why were people angry, why was there accusers of false doctrines. The traditions of people not use to way another worship can wreck havoac on the a group of old worshippers. Meaning unless they are evangelist in a church they are not ready for newcomers with loads of questions or people being taught different way then what they were taught. Now sounds ridiculous. Today a person entering a church foreign in the style of worship is more or less taught to be an observer. Back pew find with many observers or the front seat.
What really happen a culture that does not know the Jewish faith even if they were Christian Jews and still followed some of the old customs a group of people Paul taught are being taught the language of love as Christ taught it and not by the Old Testament law. The language is barbaric to Jewish Christian and the gentile christian understands not the traditions and it causing problems between two groups tbat believe the same.
Putting rape music in classical music style works better today then way back when the early church began. Why were they in the temple worshipping God and not a home church or outdoor Bible group. Because the worship of God began in the temple. Jesus worshipped in tbe temple and taught within the gentile courts. The printed word was not complete to read about the early church or worship in the Temple, there were Jewish groups that knew not Christ. The divisions were coming more and more aware and Paul used his citizenship and laws of Roman to keep from getting crucified by the laws of the temple. Are Christians same as Jews. Jews wait for the Messiah and the Chridtians believe Jesus as the Messiah. Yet there were Jewish converts after the cross and Paul was one of them. Seeing a blinding light and hearing from Jesus himself on the road to Damacus because he persecuted the church. Yet church forgave him, because the love of Christ.
Today you traditional church and maybe it should be called undignified church. Yet are both churches moving toward unity of worshipping God many believe so.
Dear Heavenly Father move in the hearts of your people to learn not only to worship but honor you. In Jesus Name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
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