It is wonderful to see the body of Christ work together toward the common goal of glorifying God. The brethren of Jerusalem received Paul gladly upon his return. Paul met with the elders and told them all about his missionary journey… but note Paul’s humility as he gives glory to God for what occurred instead of pointing toward himself. The elders hear him and also begin to glorify God. Notice that there is no trace of jealousy among them for the wonderful works accomplished through Paul. They are all on the same team! They are aligned only toward the agenda of sharing the gospel of Christ with the world.
So too the elders give advice to Paul on how to dispel the rumors that he does not care for the law. There is no hypocrisy or deceit here. Paul consistently obeys the law throughout scripture. He is sometimes misunderstood. As he taught the Gentiles he focused them on a few important things to get started so they would not be overwhelmed by all of the law at once. Some took that to mean Paul rejected the law. It was always Paul’s pattern to continue teaching those who followed Jesus more about what God commands as they continue to study with him. Paul again demonstrates humility in accepting this advice as an effective communication tool to the Jews in Jerusalem. Paul participates in the ending of a Nazarite vow by others. Paul is not just making a show of it or compromising on his beliefs. In fact, Paul completed what is likely a Nazarite vow himself in Acts 18:18.
The brethren were truly working together toward the common goal of sharing the gospel of Christ. They gave and received advice to one another. They glorified God in the work as it was accomplished. They thoughtfully considered how they could be most effective in reaching their audience (e.g. Jews vs. Gentiles). They proclaimed truth.
Paul at Jerusalem
15After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge.
17After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22“What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23“Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25“But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.” 26Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.
Humility and working together toward a common goal of sharing the gospel of Christ united the brethren of Jerusalem and Paul in a strong bond. How would it have worked out if the elders were jealous of the success Paul witnessed and began infighting? What about if Paul reacted with pride instead of humility, taking glory for himself and rejecting the advice of others?
Think about personal examples in your own life in which you may need to make some adjustments. Are there areas where you react more with pride than humility? Are you jealous of the success of others in sharing the gospel? Pray that God would help lead and guide you to take on a humble spirit, united with all brothers and sisters in Christ toward the common goal of proclaiming the gospel of Christ. We are not in competition with one another, but rather we are on the same team.
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