The brothers and sisters in Jerusalem were very happy to see us.  The next day Paul went with us to visit James, and all the elders were there.  After greeting them, Paul told them point by point all that God had used him to do among the non-Jewish people. When the leaders heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul, “Brother, you can see that thousands of Jews have become believers, but they think it is very important to obey the Law of Moses. They have been told that you teach the Jews who live in non-Jewish regions to stop following the Law of Moses. They have heard that you tell them not to circumcise their sons or follow our other customs. “What should we do? The Jewish believers here will learn that you have come. So we will tell you what to do: Four of our men have made a vow to God. Take these men with you and share in their cleansing ceremony. Pay their expenses so that they can shave their heads. This will prove to everyone that the things they have heard about you are not true. They will see that you obey the Law of Moses in your own life. “In regard to the non-Jewish believers, we have already sent a letter to them saying what we think they should do: ‘Don’t eat food that has been given to idols. Don’t eat meat from animals that have been strangled or any meat that still has the blood in it.

In these verses Paul arrives in Jerusalem and goes to visit James and the church elders. He reports in detail what God had done through his ministry among Gentiles. The leaders praise God for the fruit of his work but raise a concern: many Jewish believers still value obedience to the Law of Moses, and rumors say Paul teaches Jews in Gentile areas to abandon the Law (for example, not to circumcise their sons).

Father God, thank You for the work You are doing among all peoples. Give us grace to hold fast to truth and to show love that honors both conviction and unity. Help us speak and live in ways that build the church, remove misunderstandings, and bring peace. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus precious Name Amen.