GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Scripture Reading        : Acts 21:17-26

Theme                         : Biblical Submission

1. Discernment – is this about Gospel truth? The leaders in the Jerusalem church heard about the rumours that certain Jews were spreading about Paul, which the leaders knew were false. So they instructed Paul to join in the purification rites of 4 men who took the Nazirite vow. This was not a disagreement regarding the way of salvation, whether circumcision is required for one to be saved.

2. Disagreement – is this about personal preference? Whenever there are any disagreements in the church, Christians need to be clear whether the disagreement is with regards to fundamental and essential Christian doctrines (e.g. sinlessness of Jesus, Jesus is both God and man, salvation by grace alone, etc.) or simply matters of personal preferences. If the disagreement is on personal preferences, Christians should submit to the church leaders’ decision. Paul certainly did not disagree with the church leaders, but simply submitted.

3. Deference – is this about preferring others? When certain practices were not in conflict with the Gospel, Paul would do it, in order not to hinder the spread of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul wrote of how he would adopt the practices of people with whom he was sharing the Gospel. In a similar fashion, Paul circumcised Timothy in order to facilitate Timothy’s access to the synagogue, since Timothy was a half-Jew (16:3). But in another occasion, Paul would refuse to circumcise Titus because certain Jews were preaching a false gospel that circumcision is needed for salvation (Gal. 2:3-5).

Praying the Scripture

1. Galatians 1:9 “As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” Pray that we will have discernment and not change the content of the Gospel for the sake of anything (e.g. religious harmony, government funding, etc.).

2. Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Whenever there are disagreements due to personal preferences, the Christian’s responsibility is to submit to the church leaders (Heb. 13:17) and to one another (Eph. 5:21). Pray that we will be humble and submit to the church leaders, and also submit to one another.

3. Paul dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel in every way he could, always preferring others, as far as the Gospel message was not compromised. Pray that in everything we do, we too will have the objective of sharing the Gospel with unbelievers around us.