When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. (ESV)

All our ministry ‘successes’ are God’s, and to Him belongs all the glory. May we never forget it. How remarkable that Almighty God should deign to work ”through” mere mortals (19). But as E.M. Bounds asserted, ‘God’s methods are men.’

It is instructive to note in this passage, that wise counsel was given to Paul, and he was sufficiently humble to listen and act upon it (21-26). May we never become unteachable.

There had been a large scale reception of the gospel by many Jews (20), but there was a danger that they would be misled about Paul. Falsehoods were bring spread. Paul was willing to be ‘all things to all men’ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).He would never compromise on essential doctrine, but he was prepared to act expediently for the sake of peace and church unity, and above all in order to further the gospel.. The principle here seems to be, ‘Do not cause unnecessary offence as far as you can help it.’