In our ongoing study of Acts we have seen Paul end his third missionary journey and head to Jerusalem with a love offering from the Gentile churches. Once at Jerusalem he met with James and the elders of the church, who gladly received his report of God's work through the Gospel in the lives of the Gentiles (21:17-20). They urged Paul to correct some misconceptions about his ministry and message by demonstrating that in coming to faith in Christ he had not completely rejected Judaism, and especially its ceremonial worship. In other words, they asked Paul to prove that he was still, as a Christian, "zealous for the Law" (21:17-25).

Paul took their advice and went to the temple, along with the four men whom the elders had recommended, to purify himself and to make sacrifices, paying their expenses, and thus identifying himself with all that they did. At the end of seven days, some Asian Jews spotted Paul in the temple, and they jumped to the conclusion that Paul had brought a Gentile into the temple and defiled it. These Asian Jews called upon the Jerusalem Jews to help them be rid of Paul once and for all. It was their intention to put Paul to death. A riot broke out as men gathered in the frenzy of the moment, all attempting to kill Paul.

View sermon transcript here: http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/acts/24_22-27_video.php

6/13/2010 - Pastor David B. Curtis - Berean Bible Church -http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org - Message# 509