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NASB | Acts 21:23 "Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 21:23 "Therefore do just what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow; |
Subject: Why did Paul do it? For conscience sake? |
Bible Note: So James and Paul were bluffing? Lying? or doing a head fake? Luke doesn't say they are doing this. He leads us to believe that Paul followed the Law and even participated in the Temple sacrifices intentionally because he wanted to and believed it was honoring to God. To presume that Paul was buckling to pressure on such a vital issue when his whole Christian life up to this point was one of constant persecution; yet he never wavers; but now it was okay for him to make it appear as though he was following the Law and Temple system, but “wink wink,” we all know he was just trying to fool the Believing Jews? Is it possible that Paul understood the Temple and the purpose of ritual purification from contact with a dead body before offering a sacrifice to end a Nazirite vow (or really, start it over since he touched the dead guy a couple chapters back) more than we do? Maybe our understanding of what Jesus death and resurrection accomplished is slightly off when we assume the Temple ceased to have any purpose and the sacrifices ceased to have any purpose at that moment in time? That's why I ‘thhst’ your answer. Within the scope of the whole Acts narrative, your response makes Paul and James manipulators at best, and liars at worst. Neither are acceptable conclusions, and Luke tells this as if the whole event makes complete sense. MJH With all due respect intended. |