Paul Visits James

Acts 21

17 When we had come to Jerusalem, l the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to m James, and all n the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, o he related one by one p the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his q ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they r 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 s zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all t the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, u telling them v not to circumcise their children or w walk according to x 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 y who are under a vow; 24 take these men and z purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, y 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, a 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, 1 and from sexual immorality." 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day z he purified himself along with them and b went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and c the offering presented for each one of them.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 21:7
    When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.
    Acts 15:4
    When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 12:17
    But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 11:30
    And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 14:27
    And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
  5. Cross References
    Romans 15:18 - 19
    For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience - by word and deed.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 1:17
    For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 11:18
    When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 22:3
    I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
    Romans 10:2
    For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
    Galatians 1:14
    And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
  9. Cross References
    James 1:1
    James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 21:28
    Crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 2:28 - 29
    For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.
    1 Corinthians 7:19
    For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
  12. Cross References
    Mark 7:5
    And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?
    Galatians 2:14
    But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?
  13. Cross References
    Acts 6:14
    For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.
    Acts 15:1
    But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 18:18
    After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 21:26
    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.
    Acts 24:18
    While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia -
    John 11:55
    Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 21:23
    Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow.
  17. Cross References
    Acts 15:19 - 20
    Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.
    Acts 15:29
    That you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 21:24
    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.
  19. Cross References
    Numbers 6:13
    And this is the law for the Nazirite, when the time of his separation has been completed: he shall be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
  20. Cross References
    Numbers 6:9 - 12
    And if any man dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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