11.17.19 - The Harmony of the "Way" (Kenny Camacho)

SCRIPTURE: Acts 21:17-24:21 (Acts 24:10-16)

The last 8 chapters of Acts are a fast-moving story: after Paul arrives in Jerusalem, there is nothing the leaders of the church can do to keep him out of trouble with the quarreling factions of the Jewish leadership. He is repeatedly arrested and beaten, and in each instance where he is given an opportunity to speak in his own defense, he is cut off and interrupted. Finally, the Roman procurator of Judea, Felix, listens to Paul’s case, and Paul makes it clear that he has lived by his own conscience: what he is teaching is not meant to discredit or destroy Judaism but to extend it by joining it to the church’s teachings about Jesus. As we reflect on Paul’s defense, we want to explore how the message of Jesus unifies, rather than divides, our history.


DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. It is tempting to immediately dismiss the accusations against Paul made by the Jewish leaders of Jerusalem, but it can be fruitful to approach them with empathy: how are we also sometimes guilty of interrupting others or assuming the worst of their intentions?

  2. At root, the Jewish leaders’ resistance to Paul comes from their fear that he is abandoning the Law in order to expand the circle of their religion to include those they believe are “unclean.” They are worried that he is being too gracious with others, and that this will cheapen what they believe. Have you ever been frightened by others’ willingness to show too much grace to a person or people? When? How do you feel about this instance as you look back on it?

  3. Are there times when you have feared (or still fear) the church is too accepting of outsiders? 

  4. One issue that divides even the Jewish leadership is belief in the “resurrection of the dead.” What are your beliefs about this? Why do you think this issue is so important to Paul (and to the Christian church)? 

  5. What is one area in your life where you struggle to be accepting of others, and you would like to be challenged to show more acceptance? How can we support and challenge one another in this moving forward?

Kenny Camacho