Why Did Paul Take a Purification Vow? Acts 21

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

Paul returns to his home base in Jerusalem. On the way home he stops in many places and greets the believers, as he shares the many stories of what God is doing all over the world.  It greatly encourages them and when he leaves they pray for him and send him off with their blessing.  Before he reaches Jerusalem, he stops at Caesarea and a prophet named Agabus has an ominous prophecy for him.  He shares the prophesy by acting out what is going to happen to Paul when he reaches Jerusalem.  He ties his hands and feet with Paul's belt indicating his fate.  Finally, when Paul reaches Jerusalem the believers greeted him warmly and give praise that the Gospel had reached even the Gentiles.  

The problem was however that the rumors were that Paul was telling the new Gentiles believers to disregard the Law of Moses, and teaching them that their children did not need to be circumcised.  So the Jewish Christians were wondering if Paul was anti-Jewish.  We know that Paul wasn't, as he had previously taken the Nazirite vow of cutting his hear and abstaining from alcoholic beverages.  So the elders devised a plan.  To show the Jewish Christians he was not against the Law of Moses, he would join and then sponsor 4 Jewish Christian men who were taking a similar purification vow as Paul had.  This would prove he was not against the Jewish customs, but also made it very clear they didn't save anyone.  There was nothing wrong with the law of Moses as it was given by God, yet it could not save, it could only point to our need for salvation.  

So what should Paul do?  Would it be seen as a compromise to the Gospel to take on this purification vow when he was already purified by Christ?  Paul took the vow and completed payment for the four other men.  Paul did this so as not to be offensive to his fellow Jews.  Someone has said, "The only thing that should be offensive is the gospel."  We shouldn't unnecessarily put stumbling blocks before others, but at the same time never compromise the gospel that we are saved by grace through faith not by works.  Paul sums his motive for his actions in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 when he says ...

20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

What might this mean for us? There may be times where we have to become like those we are trying to reach in order to be able to communicate the gospel to them.  Don't get me wrong I am not saying by compromising our faith or values, but our customs.  There are many things that are not essential to the Christian faith which we can be flexible with.  What a great example Paul gives us to not be prideful but think more about what others need in order to hear the gospel in a relevant way.