Paul and James – Mutual Submission


If only the Church in America today could follow the example of Paul and James from 2000 years ago in Acts 21.

Here were two men who ministered to completely different people groups. James, the Apostle to the Jews and Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. James, the Apostle who stayed put in Jerusalem for years and by default became its leader when Peter and John left. Paul, the Apostle to the outer-most parts of the World who lived with a passion to preach Christ where people had not heard of Him yet.

You cannot get more different in respective ministries.  Just read the same of their pencils and you will see significant differences in their presentation of the same Gospel message.

They both had tremendous success.
We know the record from Acts of Paul's incredible success in the Gentile regions. And in Acts 21, the Jerusalem leaders tell Paul "how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed." Acts 21:20 (ESV)

Yet when Paul comes to Jerusalem and faces the danger of almost certain death, the Bible presents a wonderful picture of mutual submission:
Acts 21:17–20 (ESV) When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God.

Look at the reception of the Jerusalem (Jewish) Christians:

  • They received them GLADLY.
  • They listened to the testimony of success and rejoiced.
  • They glorified God because people nothing like them were coming to Christ in large numbers.

And it was during this visit Paul presents the Jerusalem church with a large monetary gift from the Gentile believers around the world (This is mentioned only in Acts 24:17). They are caring for one another!

Later in the chapter we see that James is worried for Paul's safety and asks him to take part in a Jewish vow so that the Jews won't kill him. You would think Paul would say "No way! I'm the Apostle to the Gentiles, and I won't act Jewish just for Jew's sake!" NO! He submits to his brother, does what James asks and even offers sacrifices in the temple (Acts 21:26)! What a wonderful picture of mutual submission in the body of Christ.

Both successful. Both very different. And both glad and helpful toward each other.

Instead of James and Paul believing that their success made them somehow the only "game in town", these two men rejoice over their respective successes, supported each other and joined in unity to serve each other and to submit to each other.

Today's Christian pastors must learn this lesson. Almost any amount of success tends to breed pride in our hearts. We start to think everyone could and SHOULD learn from "us". We start to make terrible judgment calls on "those Christians over there doing it differently." How shameful!

Paul and James model for the body of Christ the things that they both preached:

Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
Ephesians 5:21 (NLT) submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

James wrote to the Jewish faithful scattered across the world:
James 2:8 (ESV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

In the Psalms God said, Psalm 133 (ESV) Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! ... there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Perhaps the most anointed thing we can do as the body of Christ is submit to one another and love one another in spite of our differences in styles, mission, denomination, or calling.

If we could all learn from this example of two diametrically different men of God coming together and outdoing one another in showing honor to each other - what kind of Church we would be!

The kind of Church Jesus prayed for... 
John 17:11 (ESV) I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

PRAYER:
Father, make us one! Make us ready to submit to each other and love one another. Holy Spirit, fill your church in America to belong to each other in unity and care. Help us to stop competing with each other and help us to start celebrating each other and serving one another, in the Name of Jesus! Amen.




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