Daily Liturgy and Scripture

Trying to resolve the differences between traditional Judaism and Christianity was extremely difficult, especially since the leaders of the early Church were largely Jewish. In this scene, to resolve problems with stories that were being circulated about Paul trying to tear down the Law (something he was not doing), the tradition of the Law was actually employed to bring Jews into better understanding.

Paul seems a little foolhardy with his life, and perhaps that is the case. It's for good reason, though. He has found a cause worth giving his life for, and that is his highest priority. What a difference from the man who once hunted those who followed Jesus.

Paul isn't selling Christianity as an easy life, but is clear about the trouble he has suffered and what he sees coming. The bond of love he shares with those who surround him remains strong. This is one of the hallmarks of Christianity: even in persecution, the Church remains strong. Persecution actually makes the Church stronger.

Paul almost killed someone with his preaching! Well, maybe not the preaching itself, but the length of time he spoke. It's really kind of comical, since the man did survive the experience. It's also a good reminder that someone as important as Paul wasn't perfect, and might have been... maybe a little boring at times.

Sometimes the argument you appear to be having isn't the argument you're actually having. Such was the case here: the makers of the statues of false gods were being put out of business as their gods were abandoned for the Way of Jesus, but they chose to try and make the case that it was their deity being dishonored instead of their business.

Those in the time of the early Church were hearing of Jesus, now they were seeing evidence of his lordship. It wasn't just a story, things happened when his name was mentioned. This is a preview of the world to come, where Jesus will reign, and we inaugurate it with every opportunity we have.

The doctrine matters. The baptism of John wasn't enough, because it came before the sacrifice of Jesus. Knowing of the Holy Spirit was critical, because now we understand how God remains among his people. This is what Paul brought to the early believers, and it is no less important today.

What would have happened if Paul hadn't gotten fed up with the attitudes of Jews toward the Gospel? At the time, for a former Pharisee, that was probably tragic. His hope must have been that the Jewish people would come to know the whole truth, but his turn toward a more Gentile ministry helped greatly build the church we know today.

Paul is invited to the meeting of those who "spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas" and he certainly brought them a new idea worth hearing. His approach met them where they were, and even used their own ideas. Not a bad idea. The gospel is a challenge, but there is always a starting point for new understanding.

The message of the Gospel isn't all feelings and opinions, it can also hold up under scrutiny. Several times, Paul finds himself among intellectuals, and he makes an intellectual argument to them. The result is an expanding church. This isn't the only method at our disposal, but the Gospel is moving among many different kinds of people thanks to the work of the Spirit.