Oh yes, Acts chapter 21 and we just discovered that first century believers were zealous for the Torah, that is, the law of Moses. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise I guess, because their rabbi had clearly told them “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matt. 5:17) Later he would also say to his disciples, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15) Even later, he says “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” (Jn 14:21) Which commandments was he talking about? The very same ones He gave to Moses at Horeb.

From the beginning . . .

Remember I stated that Luke left many clues that the early disciples were very observant of the law? Let’s skip to the next chapter (22) for a quick example. Paul is talking to a hostile crowd of Jews and takes them back many years to the time he (Paul) was first confronted by Yeshua. You no doubt know the story well. Paul is blinded when Yeshua appears to him and subsequently has to be helped to the city of Damascus, his intended destination.

A devout observer of the law

A disciple by the name of Ananias is sent to place his hands on Saul and restore his sight. Paul describes Ananias this way, “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.”

There it is. A disciple of Jesus, hand picked by the Holy Spirit to restore Saul’s sight and to commission him by God’s power to be his witness. If there are problems with “the law” as we are so often taught these days, why did the Holy Spirit hand pick Ananias, “a devout observer of the law?” Hmmmm.

Postscript

Talking about Saul’s trip to Damascus, you may have heard how God commissioned Saul to go to the Gentiles and changed his name to Paul. Well, that never happened. It’s a myth. God did not change Saul’s name to Paul.

So, why two names? Good question – and a simple answer. Sh’aul (his Hebrew name) was the one he used when in Israel with his fellow Hebrews. Paulos, was the Greek name he used when he was abroad and working with Gentiles. This was common practice among Jews at the time and still is today. No mystery here, but let’s make sure we get the facts right.