Paul fought the circumcision, Messianic Judaism.

[BobRyan]

It is beyond doubt that it is God who commanded circumcision of Abraham and the Jews; yet saint Paul argues that circumcision is irrelevant. So when we read "but the keeping of the commandments of God" he surely does not mean "go get circumcised to show your obedience to God's commandments" because he just said circumcision was irrelevant.

Thus we know that saint Paul did not go "out of his way to disprove it".

let's read the text again... carefully.

Paul's on-the-record statement to Messianic Jews --


Acts 21
20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

(Many here would argue - "yeah... that is EXACTLY what Paul was doing!" - Paul goes out of his way to disprove it.



22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.
.

 

[bugkiller]

That was Eph 6:1-2 not written in Seattle as it turns out.

Was it written in MI?

bugkiller

 

[BobRyan]

This was written in the NT.

Acts 21
20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

(Many here would argue - "yeah... that is EXACTLY what Paul was doing!" - Paul goes out of his way to disprove it.



22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

 

[bugkiller]

This was written in the NT.

Acts 21
20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

(Many here would argue - "yeah... that is EXACTLY what Paul was doing!" - Paul goes out of his way to disprove it.



22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

Why do you guys have a problem following a conversation? Now why did you change the subject?

bugkiller

 

[Frogster]

Christian church leaders like James were addressing what they consider a false accusation being made against the Apostle Paul.

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

They suggest some solution to the problem with this conclusion

vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

acts 21, here it is again..

First read this..

Gal 4:12 Brethren, I beg of you, become as I am [free from the bondage of Jewish ritualism and ordinances], for I also have become as you are a Gentile]. You did me no wrong [[f]in the days when I first came to you; do not do it now].








Pro law people love to shout out happily…

Paul went to the Temple and took the ritual!

Lol…they forget that he did not go to Jerusalem for 14 years as per Gal 2:1, which says “again”, presumably after the Peter visit of Gal 1:18, 3 years after Paul’s conversion, and it was for just 15 days, no temple time there, so really 17 years total, Acts 9 leaves no temple information either.

So no feasts, no cleansing, no practicing Judaism for 17 years.



Acts 21. Paul goes to Jerusalem with his heart wide open, even bringing money he collected from the Gentiles, to show good will and unity. Paul arrives in Jerusalem, only to hear from James that the thousands there, many law following believers, thought Paul taught apostasy in verse 21, the Greek for “forsake” Moses, same word used in Thessalonians about the “Antichrist”, serious accusation. Did Paul preach it was ok to commit adultery or steal? No. Did Paul preach apostasy? No. In Romans 3:8 Paul said they lied about his teaching making like Paul said “do evil, so good will come”. He said their condemnation will be deserved. This confirms that James knew what many thought, incorrectly of course, concerning what Paul taught. And Paul knew it too (Rom 3:8), hence answered sin questions are seen in Romans 6. Do we continue in sin Paul asked, then said no! James and Paul both knew what the masses thought.




James, understandably fearing the thousands said, "do what we tell you", to Paul. Did Paul have to? No, but the language sounds strong, James saying do what we tell you, not an order, but an emphatic emphasis, a tone, stress, a very concerned James, can not be denied in those words. So Paul, who said in 1 Corinthians 9, that he did certain things to further the gospel, become as a Jew or Gentile etc, along with 2 Corinthians 4, while saying he commended himself to others, he then commended himself to James in Acts 21. Keep in mind, after James wanted Paul to take the ritual, James reminded Paul how he helped Paul earlier at the council meeting in Acts 15. So now it was Paul’s turn to reciprocate with James. Fine, both helped each other.

So yes, Paul did the ritual, no big deal really, so what!? In a transitional stressful time, in an unfolding history of the apostleship of Paul and the church, along with the integration of Jew and Gentile populations, and all of the other things going on then, Paul did not want to freak out James, he took the vow. So what? It was the way for thousands of years anyway, it is not like he worshipped an idol or pagan God or something. Besides, that whole temple was going down soon anyway. People get so carried away with Acts 21, for no reason, other than to think they “got Paul”!



I say, good for Paul! He can't win anyway, if he didn't take the vow, people today, would find fault with that too. They would say….

"Evil Paul, would not show love to James"

"Proud Paul!"

"Big shot apostle!"

When he takes the vow, they cry hypocrite.

 

[Frogster]

Those who walk by the Spirit - in Romans 8 fulfill the Law in real life - those at war with God in Romans 8 - do not submit to the Law of God - neither indeed CAN they submit to it according to Paul.

In Mark 7:6-13 Jesus describes the Commandments of God being set aside by the traditions of man - and say it is "not a good thing" to do.

In Jer 31:31-33 it is the Law of God that Jeremiah knows as the moral law of God - the Law that defines what sin is - that is written on the heart and mind under the NEW Covenant- also quoted in Heb 8 and 10.


As Paul states in 1Cor 7:19 "what matters is keeping the Commandments of God"

And Christ said - before the cross - "IF you Love Me KEEP My Commandments"

Paul says that the 5th commandment is the "FIRST Commandment with a promise"

in Christ,

Bob

you always just quote 1/2 half of 1 Cor 7:19, but you ignore the frst half says, circumcision means nothing, and that was a huge law, and if circumcised, the church would be bound to sabbath, food laws, and feasts, but Paul said no to that 'command".


By the way why do SDA people ignore the fests, as they promote food laws out of the same book that has the feasts?

So only some commands count in 7:19?

 

[BobRyan]

Originally Posted by BobRyan

Christian church leaders like James were addressing what they consider a false accusation being made against the Apostle Paul.

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

They suggest some solution to the problem with this conclusion

vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.
​

acts 21, here it is again..

First read this..

Gal 4:12 Brethren, I beg of you, become as I am [free from the bondage of Jewish ritualism and ordinances], for I also have become as you are a Gentile]. You did me no wrong [[f]in the days when I first came to you; do not do it now].

That Gal 4 text look like 50-50 you vs Paul.

Here it is -- just Paul complaining that certain church members are returning to pagan practices. (It is not Paul claiming to be a pagan).

Gal 4
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


So then back to Paul proving his case against false accusers.


Acts 21

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

They suggest some solution to the problem with this conclusion

vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

James, understandably fearing the thousands said, "do what we tell you", to Paul.

Both James and Paul are Jewish Christians - as it turns out.


James argues for the "conclusion" in other words his case is that by taking the steps identified - they get to the desired conclusion.

And what is that stated conclusion - as stated in the text??




vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

 

[BobRyan]

you always just quote 1/2 half of 1 Cor 7:19, but you ignore the frst half says, circumcision means nothing,

On the contrary I often quote the second half and show that this is the ceremonial law part of the 1Cor 7:19 contrast between the Ten Commandment moral law - vs the ceremonial law.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[BobRyan]

Why do you guys have a problem following a conversation? Now why did you change the subject?

bugkiller

When the subject is Paul vs the Jews - this is perfect.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[MoreCoffee]

The circumcision party was quite troublesome in early christianity. They eventually became The Ebionites. A Unitarian sect of Judaism rejected by Christianity because of the heresies they taught.

Ebionites, or Ebionaioi (Greek: Ἐβιωναῖοι; derived from Hebrew אביונים ebyonim, ebionim, meaning "the poor" or "poor ones"), is a patristic term referring to a Jewish Christian movement that existed during the early centuries of the Christian Era. They regarded Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah while rejecting his divinity and insisted on the necessity of following Jewish law and rites. The Ebionites used only one of the Jewish Gospels, revered James the Just and rejected Paul the Apostle as an apostate from the Law. Their name suggests that they placed a special value on voluntary poverty. The Ebionim was one of the terms used by the sect at Qumran that sought to separate themselves from the corruption of the Temple, whom many believe were the Essenes.

Since historical records by the Ebionites are scarce, fragmentary and disputed, much of what is known or conjectured about the Ebionites derives from the Church Fathers, who wrote polemics against the Ebionites, whom they deemed heretical Judaisers. Consequently, very little about the Ebionite sect or sects is known with certainty, and most, if not all, statements about them are conjectural.

At least one scholar distinguishes the Ebionites from other Jewish Christian groups, e.g., the Nazarenes; other scholars—and the Church Fathers from the first centuries after Christ, themselves—consider the Ebionites identical with the Nazarenes.

(click for source)

 

[BobRyan]

So then back to Paul proving his case against false accusers.


Acts 21

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

They suggest some solution to the problem with this conclusion

vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

==== what was the charge they were making against Paul again???


That is a pretty easy question given the text above.

Now what is really interesting is how many times AFTER this point in Acts - that Paul makes his same defense in that regard.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[Frogster]

Originally Posted by BobRyan

Christian church leaders like James were addressing what they consider a false accusation being made against the Apostle Paul.

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

They suggest some solution to the problem with this conclusion

vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.
​

That Gal 4 text look like 50-50 you vs Paul.

Here it is -- just Paul complaining that certain church members are returning to pagan practices. (It is not Paul claiming to be a pagan).

Gal 4
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


So then back to Paul proving his case against false accusers.


Acts 21

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

They suggest some solution to the problem with this conclusion

vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.











Both James and Paul are Jewish Christians - as it turns out.


James argues for the "conclusion" in other words his case is that by taking the steps identified - they get to the desired conclusion.

And what is that stated conclusion - as stated in the text??




vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

No, green above, it was at the beginning of there conversion, he said he just preached the gospel to them, when hr FIRST came, and Paul was happy with their conversion that was before the Judaizerd got there in 4:13. Paul was not saying he "became as them", in 4:12, meaning paganism, he meant not living as Jews. That is the context!

They were not returning to paganism. They were going under law, 4:21 says , you who desire to be under law, not paganism, and if circumcised, they would have to keep the law, Gal 5:3, not paganism, they were trying to get them circumcised, see 6:12, so you are wrong on 2 fronts.


12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

 

[MoreCoffee]

You keep excluding verse 25 from your quote. Is it so embarrassing for your case?
Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

 

[Frogster]

here it is again..

Gal 4:2112 Brethren, I beg of you, become as I am [free from the bondage of Jewish ritualism and ordinances], for I also have become as you are [[e]a Gentile]. You did me no wrong [[f]in the days when I first came to you; do not do it now].

 

[BobRyan]

That Gal 4 text look like 50-50 you vs Paul.

Here it is -- just Paul complaining that certain church members are returning to pagan practices. (It is not Paul claiming to be a pagan).

Gal 4
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


So then back to Paul proving his case against false accusers.


Acts 21

 

[BobRyan]

You keep excluding verse 25 from your quote. Is it so embarrassing for your case?
Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

I don't mind a thread that wants to focus on gentiles instead of Paul and the Jews -- but that is not "this thread".

1. The Acts 21 discussion is not about gentiles - it is about the title of this thread - Paul vs the Jews.

The point remains.


2. The Acts 21:25 text does not tell Gentiles to "Love God with all your heart" as Christ does tell all to do in Matt 22 -- did someone think Acts 21 freed gentiles from listening to Christ??

The Acts 21:25 text does not tell gentiles to "Love your neighbor as yourself" as Christ does tell ALL to do in MAtt 22, as Paul does tell ALL to do in Rom 13 and James does tell ALL to do in James 2. Does someone here think that Acts 21 freed gentiles from listening to Christ and to all the NT authors??

The use of Acts 21:25 as if to rewrite the Bible for us gentiles - reducing all of scripture to 1 text -- does not work for us gentiles. We generally reject that sort of argument about Acts 21:25 - and I think we all know it.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[Frogster]

Originally Posted by BobRyan

Christian church leaders like James were addressing what they consider a false accusation being made against the Apostle Paul.

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

They suggest some solution to the problem with this conclusion

vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.
​

That Gal 4 text look like 50-50 you vs Paul.

Here it is -- just Paul complaining that certain church members are returning to pagan practices. (It is not Paul claiming to be a pagan).

Gal 4
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


So then back to Paul proving his case against false accusers.


Acts 21

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

They suggest some solution to the problem with this conclusion

vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.











Both James and Paul are Jewish Christians - as it turns out.


James argues for the "conclusion" in other words his case is that by taking the steps identified - they get to the desired conclusion.

And what is that stated conclusion - as stated in the text??




vs 24...so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.

Did Paul keep the law? Did he go to temple in 17 years? Nope!

Did he heat gentile food? Yup!

Read 1 Cor 9...




To become a Jew, meant he was not living as one prior. And to do that, to win those under law, meant Paul was not under law. Paul was not in the "those'

20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.[/B

 

[BobRyan]

For those who want to escape the Acts 21 point about Paul and the Jews we have ...

This switch to Gal 4 -- Paul vs the gentiles in Galatia -

No, green above, it was at the beginning of there conversion, he said he just preached the gospel to them, when hr FIRST came, and Paul was happy with their conversion that was before the Judaizerd got there in 4:13. Paul was not saying he "became as them", in 4:12, meaning paganism, he meant not living as Jews. That is the context!

They were not returning to paganism. They were going under law, 4:21 says , you who desire to be under law, not paganism, and if circumcised, they would have to keep the law, Gal 5:3, not paganism, they were trying to get them circumcised, see 6:12, so you are wrong on 2 fronts.


12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

They were returning to pagan practices 'again" says Paul.

Gal 4
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
============================

Paganism

8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.

The "return AGAIN" to paganism. Not in full but in some pagan practices9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?


The specific pagan practice pointed out - the mere observance of which causes the loss of salvation.

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

By contrast to the "pagan" observance in Gal 4 we have the NON Pagan observances in Rom 14 where no one is to be condemned if they do or do not choose to observe these opitonal - annual holy days in the list of God ordained annual feast days of Lev 23.

A perfect contrast.

In Gal 4 - the pagan days - one is condemned for even observing one.

In Rom 14 the God ordained days - no one is to be condemned for observing ALL of them alike.

Now back to Paul vs the jews -- Acts 21.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[MoreCoffee]

You keep excluding verse 25 from your quote. Is it so embarrassing for your case?
Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

I don't mind a thread that wants to focus on gentiles instead of Paul and the Jews -- but that is not "this thread". ...

This thread is about saint Paul's battle against a Torah observing party within the early church. If they were Jews then they would not be in the Church. If they were Christians they would not be advocating Torah observance. If they were Jews who entered into the church to propagate Judaism then they were what Paul was fighting against. No Christian in saint Paul's day could advocate getting circumcised as a Christian duty and the same applies to all the Torah's laws; not one of them is required of any Christian as a Christian duty even though Christians do not murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, worship false gods.

 

[Frogster]

That Gal 4 text look like 50-50 you vs Paul.

Here it is -- just Paul complaining that certain church members are returning to pagan practices. (It is not Paul claiming to be a pagan).

Gal 4
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.


So then back to Paul proving his case against false accusers.


Acts 21

9 Now, however, that you have come to be acquainted with and understand and know [the true] God, or rather to be understood and known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly and worthless elementary things [[d]of all religions before Christ came], whose slaves you once more want to become?



no, the verses before, about paganism, were when they did not know God! he says, now you know God, and are returning to another stoicheion, this time it' was Judaism, How can they go in 2 different directions?

Paul just said in 4:3, he was in stoicheion as Jew, read it,. it's there.

They were in a paganistic ritualistic religion, prior, now they were turning to another ritualistic religion, Judaism.