Title Paul's Principle (Acts 16:1-5)
Contents
Conflict between liberals and conservatives inside and outside the modern church is never ending. As it is in discussing various modern ethical issues, the church's attitude toward such a society is always problematic due to differences in theological and views.
In the text, the incident that the apostle Paul had to be circumcised by Timothy is introduced. It may be overlooked as a strategy for missionary work, but if you look at the principle of the Apostle Paul's circumcision, which he has consistently emphasized in Romans, Colossians, and Galatians, it is a very strange event.
Apostle Paul finds the origin of circumcision in the promise between Abraham and God, contrary to what the Jews at the time claimed. Before the Mosaic Law, God's promise of salvation was given through Abraham, and as a sign of that promise, circumcision was performed (Galatians 3). Therefore, the point of the teaching through the Apostle Paul is that we no longer need to receive the sign of the promise in the flesh when that promise is realized through Christ. It is the consistent point of the apostle Paul that circumcision of the body is no longer righteous and that we must now be circumcised through the sealing of the Spirit. (Romans 2:29)
Considering Paul's attitude toward circumcision, it is very unexpected that Timothy had him circumcised. What is God's will and lesson for us today through this fact? Should I just behave the way I feel comfortable? What is your identity as a Christian living in a complex and diverse society? Rather than overly explicit expression of faith, is it that we should think and act in a way that is acceptable to all people in terms of harmony?
But the apostle Paul had a clear principle. The first principle is passion for the gospel. His sad missionary zeal, not wanting to lose even a single life, became a fundamental principle in his decision to act. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). The 'to many people in various ways' as advocated by the apostle Paul was not a philosophy of life to avoid a crisis or to live by adapting to reality. It was the standard of action that was thoroughly judged based on the passion of the gospel. We should ask ourselves if we really had a passion for the gospel and for the salvation of souls in our actions of self-defense taking comfort in the fact that there are exceptions to the principle and that Paul's Timothy was circumcised.
Another principle to consider is that the target of missions is different. There is a fundamental difference between Timothy, who was circumcised, and Titus, who refused to be circumcised. Timothy was half a Jew, and from the Jewish point of view, the need for circumcision was recognized, and Titus was a Gentile who had nothing to do with the law. Moreover, there were many Jews who were already observing the Mosaic Law in the area where Timothy was going to be missionary. Therefore, for those who are already circumcised according to the law, Timothy's circumcision is inevitably effective in terms of mission strategy. However, Titus was a person who would minister to the non-Jews of Galatia, who had nothing to do with the law, and moreover, at that time, Jews from Judaism were already in a situation where they were forced to circumcise those who had already heard the gospel of the promised Christ. could not allow
What are the lessons from this? For Christians who have already been exposed to the Gospel, observance of the principles of the Word is absolutely essential. Any temptation or compromise that compromises the purity of the gospel cannot be tolerated. It is also necessary to clarify and enlighten the biblical position on various ethical issues in the world. However, on the other hand, it is the attitude of the church toward those who are already unable to get out of their sins. Those who are already in trouble need comfort and care. We need to break down the high walls that those outside the church feel toward the church. What should be the attitude of the church when it comes to issues such as drugs, homosexuality, AIDS patients, and abortion?
Let's go forward with the hope that we will become churches and members who possess firm evangelical principles and move toward active missions.