Reading: Acts 21:15-25 NLT

After this we packed our things and left for Jerusalem. Some believers from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to the home of Mnason, a man originally from Cyprus and one of the early believers. When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly.

The next day Paul went with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present. After greeting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry.

After hearing this, they praised God. And then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all follow the law of Moses very seriously. But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs. What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.

“Here’s what we want you to do. We have four men here who have completed their vow. Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.

“As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – you love variety… you infused variety into every aspect of creation. You made us all wonderfully different from one another… different languages, cultures, races, statures, and religious traditions. Lord Jesus – you have broken down the walls that separate us from one another through your death on the cross. Bring us together in a unity of faith… believers who repent of their sins, receive your forgiveness and mercy, and live life to the full according to your grace. Holy Spirit – fill us anew with your presence and power. Produce your good fruit in us and manifest your gifts among us that we might experience the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace… and so respect and rejoice the wonderful variety among us. To God be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “We Are United in Jesus Christ” – Carol Cymbala