I Appeal To Caesar!

warning of what is to come. Finally, when no argument succeeds, all of Paul’s friends give their benediction, “The will of the Lord be done!” * * * * * The team travels to Jerusalem, and they are received graciously. Their testimonies of all that God has done causes great joy, and the offering is accepted with deep gratefulness. . . but the enthusiasm of the elders seems to cool down as they shift the conversation to their main concern. [Strangely, Luke’s written account of the meeting is silent about the delivery and distribution of the offering that was such a major accomplishment!] The elders are concerned that many of the pilgrims believe that Paul’s teaching to his Gentile converts compromises the Judaic standards which all Jews hold true and sacred. It is to Paul’s credit that he cooperates with the elders’ suggestion of showing his good faith to the Jews of Jerusalem by joining and paying for the ceremony and sacrifices of three Jewish men and himself. This would show that he is indeed Jewish in every way; supposedly this public demonstration will satisfy any troubled Jew and reinforce the fact that Paul was a dedicated Jew. In spite of any personal hesitation, Paul proceeds with his fasting with the Jewish men selected, paying for their sacrifices. * * * * * Unfortunately, some angry Jews from Asia Minor have seen Paul with Trophemus in the city, and they use this as an excuse to defame Paul. When Paul is later in the Temple courtyard, these angry men and their accomplices seize him and boisterously call out false accusations against him,