Acts 19-21

In Acts 21 Paul is confronted with the recommendation to accommodate the Jews. In verses 23 - 24 the leaders of the church in Jerusalem advice Paul to participate in the ritual of purification along with some other believers. Why was this acceptable? When we consider all that Luke has written we find some very important truths in this situation. First of all neither Jesus nor Paul had rejected the Law. Both expected 100% obedience to the Law in their disciples. That was one prime demonstration of fidelity to God. Paul still revered and understood the intentions behind the purity vows in which he was about to participate. Perhaps Paul felt he had a more complete understanding of the messages in the ritual as a Christian than when he was a Jew. Equally important is that the participation was neither a substitute for God's work of grace nor a requirement to receive or maintain that seal of grace. The purification process was an expression of worship being offered to God. So in Paul's native expression of worship he would have the opportunity to focus on Jesus as Messiah.
Stuart