24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.
This is cultural accommodation. Paul has returned from his mission’s trip with great news about what God did among the non-Jews. These non-Jews were able to come to God apart from the Law, completely by grace. As Paul reports to his Jewish friends in Jerusalem they rejoice as well. But they have a concern. Will the freedom of the non-Jews lead to the disillusionment of the believing Jews? Will grace become a stumbling block for these fellow Jews? Paul makes the choice to help his weak brothers, these Jews who are still following the Law as a lifestyle. He does not believe keeping the Law is necessary for salvation, but he recognizes the role the Law plays in the lives of his Jewish compatriots. He does not want his freedom to cause them to stumble. So Paul does an outward action that helps them not get hung up on the report they have heard. Sometimes we need to place limits on our freedom so as not to cause someone else to stumble. If alcohol consumption was an issue for a particular group of people, say an AA group, I would make sure I didn’t drink a glass of champagne in front of them. I would not want them to stumble by following my example of freedom. Drinking or not drinking the alcohol does not secure or inhibit my salvation, but it could be a stumbling block to them. So, I could choose not to drink. Paul recognizes that the freedom of the non-Jews that has been reported might cause some Jews to stumble in their faith. Paul makes the choice to participate in an outward ceremony to show them that freedom in Christ does not take away cultural identity. It is OK to have rituals and ceremonies as long as you are not counting on them to get you credit with God. Only Christ’s life, death and resurrection counts for anything.
The Arnold Journey 