If you’ve ever had the experience of building something from pages of very complicated instructions, you know that in the beginning it’s often impossible to see how the finished product will come to life. As a result, you may feel the need to stray from those instructions and go your own way. If the instructions are from the manufacturer, it’s probably best to stay true to the word-for-word directions – unless you discover those instructions have subsequently been amended – in which case you should follow the new version.
In chapter twenty-one of the Book of Acts, the apostle Paul returned to Jerusalem from his missionary journey knowing full well there were some who were in complete disagreement with what had been labeled “the way” of Jesus Christ. The Jews there, who had been following the complicated instructions of the Jewish law, were unwilling to change direction and follow Jesus. Paul told the dissenting Jews that he used to be one of them, but God spoke directly to him and specifically told him everything had changed – Jesus is the way. They listened to Paul’s every word but heard nothing. Paul received amended instructions from the manufacturer but the Jews didn’t care. They were sticking to the original plans and in their view Paul needed to be permanently silenced.
“The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” Acts 22:22 (NIV)
Nevertheless, Paul was committed to the truth and nothing could disrupt his preaching of the gospel.
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