The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

139 Whatever the solution, the important point for this discussion is that Luke affirms that Paul was not simply a bystander who endorsed the actions of the four men but also a participant in ritual purification. The word used of James' recommendation (21 :24) and Paul's action (21:26), ayvfsw , is defined and discussed by Hauck: The word means "to set in a state of cultic qualification." . .. The ongoing participation of the primitive community in the temple cultus made observance of the traditional external cultic regulations unavoidable. In particular, visiting the temple after returning from the Gentile world demanded additional cultic purification. 232 Thus, Paul agreed to and implemented James' recommendation that he make a manifest display of his participation in, and support of the ritual system of the Temple. The Interpretation The interpretation of this incident is in many ways a cameo of the entire problem of the "Lukan" and the "Pauline" Paul. Thus , Paul's actions have traditionally been under– stood in one of two ways , as either inconsistent or expedient. As one who is not bound by loyalty to the inspiration of the text , Lake argues that Paul was simply inconsistent; he clearly taught one thing but in the heat of the moment contradicted those teachings by his action . "According to Acts Paul accepted the compromise. Did he really accept it? His epi tle are logically inconsistent with it , and before long Christian practice recognized thi fact and W il on, Luke and the Law, 65-67, for a fuller di cu ion. Th re olution of th d tail pertinent for the purpo of thi ection. it tr. -B la f r the W 1 , '<I> p , "