A Gracious Response to Slander - Audio

Paul has made it to Jerusalem where he is greeted by James and the elders. They rejoice to hear of the incredible gospel transformation that occurred during Paul's last two missionary journeys. The champion of Grace comes home to meet many new Jewish converts who are struggling to understand what role the law and temple play in their new life. The elders suggest Paul take a vow and spend some time in the temple to ease the weak conscience of the Jews, and to show that he still has a reverence for the law and the temple. While Paul is in the temple, some Asian Jews who were familiar foes (Acts 20.19) agitate the crowd and pounce on Paul who is quickly seized by the Roman authorities. Paul kindly asks to address the Jewish crowd, who listens quietly to his conversion story which consists of an epic encounter with a Risen Jesus. Paul shares Christ's calling on his life to minister the gospel to the Gentiles and at this word, the Jews become hysterical and demand his death. In God's sovereignty, Paul is saved from scourging by his Roman citizenship, and lives another day to testify of Christ to the Jews.