Title: Paul Meets James
Contents
Title: Paul Meets James
Bible: Acts 21:17-26
2010.1.3. afternoon
1. Meet James.
The apostle Paul finally arrived in Jerusalem and first met James.
James - the real brother of Jesus. who wrote the book of James. He was the bishop of the Jerusalem church at the time.
Meaning of the name - predator.
Relationship with Jesus - the real brother of the flesh. When he was young, his older brother, Jesus, worked hard in the housework after his father died, and he lived with respect for one older brother.
However, from the beginning of Jesus' public life, he felt betrayed by his older brother and lived in disbelief.
So he did not appear when his brother died on the cross. Then, through the resurrection of Jesus, he believed that his older brother was the Messiah and began to live a faithful life of faith. And he becomes loyal as a precious person like the pillar of the Jerusalem church.
He writes the book of James with the justification that faith and works must be thoroughly combined. He asserts that faith without works is dead faith, and emphasizes the word and practice.
In 62 AD, he was stoned by the Jews and martyred.
2. Report on Paul's evangelism ministry.
Paul reports what he has preached, and the elders are amazed at God's work. Let us have a report on God's work.
2 years of Ephesus ministry (Acts 19:8-10), the repentance movement in Ephesus (Acts 19:17-20), and the commotion caused by silversmith Demetrius (Acts 19:23-41), work in Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 20:1-6), and Eutychus at Troas on the way home (Acts 20:7-12), farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:17-38), and Tire (Acts) 21:3-6) What happened in Caesarea (Acts 21:8-14) was reported.
Paul said that all these things were done by God, and he does not boast of his hard work and power.
“But it is by the grace of God that I am what I am, and his grace that was given to me was not in vain. I labored more than all the apostles, but it was not I, but the grace of God who was with me.”
What should I report about God's work for the past year of 2009? And how many wonderful miracles of God have you experienced through those events? And through those days, please give glory to God.
3. Measures of the Elders to Protect Paul
1) Misunderstanding about Paul due to false rumors
The Jews living in Jerusalem had heard false rumors about Paul and had misunderstood the apostle Paul, the content of which betrayed Moses. Not to circumcise your sons. It is also said that he was told not to follow the custom. But that is a misunderstanding.
If you hear only rumors without knowing the truth and misunderstand them, you create such a scary relationship. So let's clear up the misunderstanding.
2) Measures of the elders
First, perform the rites - Perform rites with 4 people who have prepared in advance. In other words, to keep the Passover, cut your hair and bear all the expenses. And to the Gentiles, as already passed by the Jerusalem church. It tells us that he wrote letters to avoid things sacrificed to idols, blood, and death by hanging, and to avoid fornication.
Paul listens to their advice as long as it is not against the law for them, although the content of the gospel is not. Then, after forming a bond, go into the temple and report.
We are to build up each other's virtues for the sake of many. Acceptance without sinning or stubbornness is important to edification. And it is necessary to win one soul. We need to get rid of the prejudice that flows too much into legalism and that only mine is right.
We see the maturity of the apostle Paul, who lived a life of many hardships. Now, let's learn to have more mature personalities, find a way to save one soul the Lord wants, and embrace it with great generosity.