Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

We just returned from a walk/jog—a kind of frustrating one. There was more traffic than normal on that road, and the dogs were far too normal. Maybe we ought to line out a circuit on our own place and stay home.

Of course I have processed this reading in Acts 21 before—but it made me mad all over again. And it makes me kind of struggle all over again as to why God chooses to initiate such an obvious Spirit-inspired revival, yet kind of backs off to allow those participating and those who are supposed to be representing Him wander off course and render to the world a misrepresentation of His Will. Instead of cooking up the stupid scheme they did, why didn’t they face the challenge and maybe implement a more appropriate solution to the problem. Big man Peter could have stood up with his most powerful voice of authority and say something like, “OK, guys—here’s what I think we should do—let’s hire Paul, Silas, and Barnabas to engage in a teaching and training tour for a full year, an itinerary to spend time in every sector of Judaism, clearly showing converts everywhere the profound fulfillment that Jesus as Messiah brings to the entirety of our Law, the Prophets, and our long-standing traditions. Their efforts could be supported by three high-ranking representatives from our own number to help confirm our endorsement.” I’m afraid that Peter and the other leaders were just plain chicken. Do you have another answer?

Here’s another impulsive thought: Maybe we can process the matter as though God offers His Will to humans in kit form—He provides all the parts, pieces, adhesives, and general instructions—but we have to put it together. If we don’t put it together right, it’s still put together, and we have to live with what we put together. I better quit. What say you?

Time to run and take on another overwhelming list. Blessings on both your struggles, and your non-struggles.

Love, Dad/Ray.

I’m finding it difficult to identify anything very positive and devotional in this reading. But, I am definitely seeing some important lessons—lessons that mainly are in the vein of how NOT to do life and faith. So, in an indirect sort of way, it’s still edifying.

One of the thoughts occurring to me is that the narrow-minded and religiously-bound elders and leaders of the church in Jerusalem virtually bound Paul with at least two chains before the Roman commander ever did when he rescued Paul from the riot at the temple. The first chain they wanted to hang on Paul was that of COMPROMISE. It’s hard for me to comprehend why Paul ever submitted to such a stupid chain following such profound revelations and evangelistic effectiveness. Here he has been preaching and teaching the New Testament Gospel all over the place, saying that in Christ “dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” (Col. 2:9-11, KJV). Now the elders would have him compromise that message just because the large crowd of religiously-bound Jewish Christians had heard that Paul was teaching “all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs” (v. 21). They were engaged in manipulating both Paul and the people so that “everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law” (v.24). Nonsense! There WAS truth to this report. It may have been twisted, but it needed clarification, not denial. It seems to me that Paul has kind of compromised his message and is violating the very advice he gave to the Galatians (Read Gal. 5:1-6) by yielding to these leaders and not simply vacating Jerusalem. (At this point, who needs Jerusalem anyway?! Besides that, who needs a Christian faith that requires hauling around a big trailer over-loaded with contaminating cultural and religious baggage?!)

The other chain that the Jerusalem leaders seemed to be imposing on Paul was one of CONFORMITY. They were so bent on sameness and harmony with the status quo of their exclusive flock at Jerusalem that they resorted to a form of deception so as to not make any waves. They were suggesting a show of appeasement of popular opinion. I think it was a basically wrong opinion. By requiring circumcision and submission to all the laws and traditions of the old system, it was an opinion that was neutralizing of the pure Gospel of Christ.

A question that comes to my mind is, “Where in the world was Peter in all of this?” The Jerusalem believers were described as being “zealous for the law” (v. 20). But why wasn’t Peter zealous to teach them the TRUTH that God so profoundly and miraculously had taught him? (Acts 10-11)

I mentioned Galatians 5:1-6 above. I think I will just stick it on here and use it as a conclusion. Please receive it as good advice.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (NIV)