Acts: Go & Be Chapters 19-28Sample

What is this passage saying?

Paul arrives in Jerusalem and meets with the elders of the city. The Jews plot against Paul, leading to his arrest in the temple.

What is this passage teaching?

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews, I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law, I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law…I have become all things to all people, that by all means, I might save some, I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings” (1 Corinthians). We see Paul’s ministry philosophy play out in our passage today. He was willing to submit to a seven-day ritual purity cleanse at the temple so the Jerusalem church could better reach the Jews of the city. Paul was willing to put everything on the table – his culture, customs, citizenship, and even his life- to reach people. The only non-negotiable was his reliance on the Spirit and proclamation of the gospel's truth.

How do I respond?

In hospitality ministry, it is often said, “We want to remove every obstacle to the gospel because the gospel is offensive enough.” Paul was willing to negotiate anything in his life to reach more people. He became all things to all people so the gospel might be received and believed. So many cultural things can stand in our way from effective gospel witness. Sometimes our allegiance to political or social causes can obscure an outsider's understanding or receptivity to the gospel. Take some time today to examine your life, especially the way you interact with others, and pray the Lord would help you uproot all that is unhelpful for gospel proclamation.